The Speed Of Light

Could be useful?

2007-11-19T23:06:00.000+10:30

http://www.howshouldivote.com.au/

Internewebs

2007-11-18T10:48:00.001+10:30

Iran

2007-10-02T14:33:00.001+09:30

From Wikipedia:

Iran has between 15,000 and 20,000 transsexuals, according to official statistics, although unofficial estimates put the figure at up to 150,000. Iran carries out more gender change operations than any country in the world besides Thailand. Sex changes have been legal since the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, spiritual leader of the 1979 Islamic revolution, passed a fatwa authorising them nearly 25 years ago. Whereas homosexuality is considered a sin, transsexuality is categorised as an illness subject to cure. While the government seeks to keep its approval quiet, state support has increased since Ahmadinejad took office in 2005. His government has begun providing grants of £2,250 for operations and further funding for hormone therapy. It is also proposing loans of up to £2,750 to allow those undergoing surgery to start their own businesses.

Bjork Bork Bork

2007-10-02T11:39:00.000+09:30

Until the end of last week I was catching an early train to Tonsley. There's this guy who would, for the whole train ride, loudly talk like the Swedish Chef: 'Bork bork york, etc.' He would then follow up with the odd beep beep noise. Imagine that guys who rides around the Adelaide CBD who goes 'beep beep', but making train noises instead.

Anyway. When I heard Bjork was playing BDO I thought of him. Even though you don't really say Bjork to rhyme with Bork.

Sorry my blog is a bit boring. Stuff just doesn't really happen to me. Likewise I can't write funny stuff off the cuff (makes Australian Idol almost worth an occasional watch).

Scary Picture

2007-07-16T09:08:00.000+09:30

Houseboats

2007-06-26T16:15:00.000+09:30

Renee
4:08:14 PM
you going on Dayle's 30th birthday houseboat and jacuzzi extravaganza?

Eddie
4:08:43 PM
Probably just go up there. no money

Renee
4:08:50 PM
Same

Eddie
4:09:13 PM
althoughi somehow manufactured money for my macbook. maybe i can do it again

Renee
4:09:26 PM
ha
4:10:35 PM
priorities. mac book is more important than getting drunk in a houseboat jacuzzi.

Eddie
4:11:40 PM
both are important nazy

Renee
4:12:00 PM
yes, I know. but in the grand scheme

Eddie
4:12:26 PM
they are both important nazy

Tarantula

2007-05-20T11:38:00.000+09:30

If you know me well enough you would know that my favourite band ever is The Smashing Pumpkins. While my favourite (and in my opinion, under appreciated) member, James Iha
will not be rejoining the band on the newest album, I'm still really excited to hear the new stuff. D'arcy is not returning either. Last I saw of her was an awful photo post plastic surgery and friendship with Mickey Rourke.

After Zwan (I was NOT a fan), BIlly seems to have taken on board that the masses just want to hear the Pumpkins rock.

When I first heard the new single, Tarantula, I was initially shocked by the horrible first lines that rhyme 'Fight' with 'Night'. But then I realised that this song rocks! and how much it reminds me of their first demos from the late 80's. Billy has really stripped it back to the roots.

So my officialy opinion is that I like it!

Download Tarantula here at Ozphoria.

Yo La Tengo

2007-03-09T00:51:00.000+10:30

They were good but I was tired way before the second encore.

Breakup letter

2007-03-08T16:33:00.000+10:30

Not to me. Click on it to see it properly, it's worth it.

Carrickalinga

2007-02-19T17:34:00.000+10:30

The day I got back I drove down to Carrickalinga where my classmates were at a holiday house. Was great to swim under blue sky after being in Manila. Some dolphins swam around only a few metres away.

Manila Weddings

2007-02-19T17:03:00.000+10:30

I've been very slack since I got back nearly 2 weeks ago, and I haven't blogged about Manila or Jason and Arleen's wedding.

First of all, here's a photo of me and my newest friend from Macau:

Anyway, the wedding was the main reason we went overseas.
Manila is a wack place. A few things stick out. The pollution. The slums :( and powerlines hanging 5 inches above your head in many places. The way you get metal detected whenever you enter a mall or hotel. Unless you're in a car. Then you get dog sniffed and the mirror under the car treatment. The cops (all of them, it seemed) carry shotguns, but the editorial of the paper underneath mentions that very few cops actually train in marksmanship, because they know that even if it came to a life and death situation, they probably wouldn't have the nerve to shoot. That's how nice the Filipinos are.

That's right. There's a Filipino terrorist group called the MILF.

I'm not kidding, the Filipinos are extremely nice people. So is Arleen, Jason's wife. She works at the Asian Development Bank, so she got corporate rates on these massive serviced suites. The wedding was all out. But relatively cheap, as are most things in the Philippines. I've been telling people about the cheap full body massage I got at the swankiest place the day before we came back (no happy ending).

I was one of the groomsmen. One of the first things Jason said to me when I got there was 'the bridesmaids want to meet you'. To that end my uncle tried to auction me off at the wedding. There is a video. I almost put it up, but I've decided against it. If you ask nice I might show you sometime.

Anyway, I had a great time, and I think I'll leave it there. I've got more stories, but less motivation to type it all out now.

If you actually want to see the happy couple, the professional photos and video (which was edited and shown AT the reception! Including the first dance!) are linked here:
Video
Photos

There was another big banquet the next night out in some public park. A band played that weren't that good. That didn't stop the singer from looking oh-so-cool:

PS. MILF stands for Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Dessert

2007-01-29T23:59:00.000+10:30

Best dessert chain in the world, Hui Lau Shan. So Fruity! Apparently the original store has a 60 year old tortoise still on the premises...

http://www.creationsdessert.com/index3.html

The Rapid Pace of Development Will Outstrip Us All

2007-01-29T11:28:00.000+10:30

I've had the most amazing time in the last few days. SJ, you would love it in Hong Kong, there are those bakeries everywhere. Yum. We've been eating heaps, quite steadily, so I don't really feel like I'm packing on the weight. Yet. Foods way cheaper here though!

From there we went on a ferry over to Macau. From what I heard, it was all prostitutes and casinos, but it's a really nice place with a lot of history, being a former Portugeuse colony. The Casinos are huge, though, and they do happen to have built a lot of Vegas Style big theme buildings right next to each other. Theres a volcano that blows up all the time, a mini coliseum, palaces and they are building a Venetian casino with canals.. Saw a dodgy cover band at the Sands Casino called Uncle Tuesday (or something equally stupid) with horrible choreography and an even worse 10 minute drum solo in the middle of I Feel Good. Ugh.

Fake Volcano in Macau

From there we crossed over the border to China, and went to the southern city of Guangzhou.I hardly remember when I was last here about 12 years ago, I just kinda remember being cold and the signs on the taps at the hotel said not to drink. This time, the signs of the rapid pace of development are everywhere. In a few places, I saw whole sides of massive hills (or small mountains) being carved out for construction. There are roads and expressways everywhere, and everyone drives like a madman. It only took about half an hour before I wasn't tense being in the car.

Funny Sign Combo at a Chinese Restaurant

So the point of being in China was to visit the old farming village my grandfather grew up in. It's not far from Guangzhou. He left when he was 19 to find adventure in Shanghai. My family went with my dad's 3 brothers. When we got there, we asked this old lady where it might be. It was so cool. She just hopped on her bike and we followed her in our van through these tiny streets til she got to this little house next to a little farm. We met our closest relative there, the husband of a cousin of my Dad's. He was a cool old guy, who kept offering cigarettes to everyone. He smoked like a bloody train.

He took us to the old house that my grandfather grew up in, it's a small run down stone brick building. It had an old stove and a well. I think it's about 100 yrs old, so the place is not in the best shape. The guy just uses it as a warehouse now, as all of our family has left now, it seems.

I went upstairs to have a look and take photos. When I came back down, everyone had gone and they'd locked me in! For 20 minutes I had to wait for everyone to realise where I was and they had to come back. Everyone made jokes about me being locked inside my own house. You see, apparently my and my dad's names are on the title to the house, and it's meant to pass down to the eldest son in the family.

Stove

Me and My House.. apparently.

One of the reasons we went there was to find this old poem in the Chan family temple there. This poem is meant to tell us how we should (partially) name our children. In particular, my brother Kev is not too far off from having kids, so it was disappointing to find out that the temple was locked up and disused, so we have no idea where the poem is kept now, so now Kev's kids will have some other made up name.

Temple

After that we went to Guangzhou, a surprisingly busy city. It's one of the biggest furniture sales points in the world I think. I think they export heaps from here. There were massive warehouses everywhere. Think of 10 Ikeas and Le Cornus stacked next to and above each other.
Anyway we went off to eat at a place, which apparently is the place where Yum Cha was first served, ever. Laura, you would have loved it. The food was ok,. only kinda average but it was pretty cool.

And now we're back in Hong Kong. Catching up with cousins I haven't seen for ages, which is cool, and getting ready to go to the Philippines to my cousin's crazy wedding. Apparently Filipino weddings are pretty full on. You should do a google on it for a good time. DO IT.

And there's the shopping. Oh yes. Shoppin...

PS

2007-01-24T01:10:00.000+10:30

How exciting is the Coachella lineup? I was feeling sick and down all night tonight because I can't go..

Hong Kong

2007-01-24T00:48:00.000+10:30

So I'm in Hong Kong. Only been here for one day so far, so not really a whole lot to say. My whole family is crashing at my Uncle Jimmy's. His son, Jason is getting married next week in Manila, and so we're taking the chance to hang out in Hong Kong for a bit. We're also heading to Macau for one night tomorrow (the Vegas of Asia, as they say in Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip), and from there we are heading up North into China, to visit the Chan Family Temple. Apparently there's some book there we are going to write our names into. We had some vague plans to visit Disneyland at some point, but I don't think it's happening now because we've heard bad things about it.

Just near Uncle Jimmy's place, the local kindy is celebrating Australia Day for some reason.

Went shopping today, found a couple of Engrish-qualifying stores to make poses in front of:

The best part here is the bargains. We ate out tonight, and were getting 3 Tsingtao Beers for $10HK. That's around $2Aus. And Tsingtao seems to taste better here than back in Adelaide...

How crap!

2006-11-13T16:13:00.000+10:30

I just heard a house alarm go off in my street. I see a blue Commodore drive off really fast, leaving down plenty of rubber, a guy with a white shirt is driving, and he goes the wrong way on the roundabout and he drives ridiculously fast on the wrong side of the road down Railway Tce. I call the cops, then they tell me that well, I didn't really see anything, did I? No rego? And there's not much they could do about it. Geez.

APY Lands Trip

2006-10-30T22:43:00.000+10:30

Just got back from an amazing trip to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in Central Australia (well over 1000kms away). It’s really beautiful out there, and the people are really nice and welcoming, but there are definitely problems there, and the conditions there really need to be improved. It was like traveling to a third world country within your own state. Rubbish all about the place. Broken cars seem to get stripped for parts then left on the side of the roads. Plenty of mongrel dogs around, and the odd nudie kid running around. BUT, the people are really so nice, we got constantly waved at by the locals and the kids were great, although they could be hard to get rid of sometimes. Although we heard about problems with petrol sniffers and drinking, we really didn’t run into it, except for one incident I’ll mention later.

I went as part of a group from Flinders Uni, with some of the Audiology staff, and 8 other students. Our job was to screen the hearing of the kids at 5 of the eastern communities on the lands. We went from Ernabella to Fregon to Mimili, then Indulkana. Some of the others also went off to Kenmore Park for a half day but I didn’t go there.
It takes a couple of days to get there, so we stayed in one of those underground motels in Coober Pedy. Not aterribly exciting place in my opinion, really, but we did have have a great meal at Tom and Mary’s (Greek). I had the Biftekia.
Everyone went rock climbing on our way to our first (and the main community we stayed in), Ernabella. Everyone except me, who stayed at the bottom (I had knee surgery recently, you see). Here’s me at the bottom of the rocks:

Actually I did pretty well, I went on most of the walks, as far as I could. I don’t think I missed too much of the sights. It’s very beautiful out there, quite arid, but beautiful trees and rocks etc, we saw the odd bit of wildlife: golden cockroaches (well I thought it was cool), lizards, emus, roos, and a camel tried to eat our bags..

Our last night in Ernabella we got rained on just as we were having a barbecue. Apparently it was the most rain the local education workers had seen for a couple of years. The kids came out in the rain, one of them, Lionel I think was his name, grabbed my camera and took a few photos...
This is near where we had the barbecue near Ernabella, just before the rain:

That night we did get bugged by someone banging on the building we were staying in. He may have been a sniffer. Not sure, but Angus said he thought he heard him saying something like ‘bloody white man’. Really the only point I got worried at all. Even when the 4WD slid in the rain and the trailer jacknifed onto the ute I didn’t really get too worried. Although the trailer’s axle got a bit stuffed, so later on we suddenly had to stop when we realised the trailer was smoking it up.
Luckily we were only a few km’s from Mimili so this guy (can’t remember his name, Sloane or something like that) came out and temporarily Macgyvered the axle back into place with some rope and a bit of wood. It was impressive to watch. He was an ex truckie..
I think pretty much everyone bought some of the art from the local art centres.. I didn’t spend as much as the others, I really only got a print and some other stuff, but some of the group spent over a grand on paintings etc. Some really nice stuff there too.
The kids were probably the best part of the trip. There were more than few cute kids.

We saw a lot of diseased ears, which was kind of the point of it I guess but pretty sad. It was so prevalent that on the odd occasion I saw a relatively healthy ear, I got pretty excited. I don’t think they have the best of diets there, what with fresh food costing so much (potatoes for 50 cents each!). Don’t get me started on the poor range of CDs (mostly Slim Dusty, and around $45 each).
Of course that’s just the beginning, with massive extended families crowded into small ramshackle buildings. Hopefully things like the new pool that just opened in Mimili will help improve the kids health. It’s a great idea.. No School, No Pool, so the kids have some incentive to go to school, but also benefit from being cleaner because they go swimming most days! We jumped in on Wednesday afternoon. It was great, considering how few showers I had.
I could write heaps more but I’ll leave it there. It was a real eye opening experience, probably the most worthwhile trip I’ve ever done.

Edit: There's a story by The Australian here on the new pool that was opened on the weekend in Mimili.

The opposite of me (right now at least)

2006-09-18T13:59:00.000+09:30

This is awesome

OH MAN

2006-09-07T18:19:00.000+09:30

Mum just made a Strawberry, Cucumber, Egg, and Carrot Salad.
Maybe separately, in some weird bento nightmare... but a salad! Is that a wierd combo only to me? Do other people agree?

Everybody Dance Now

2006-08-25T17:21:00.000+09:30

I wish my private dancing was as cool...

Everybody Dance - Google Video

Poo

2006-08-23T14:23:00.000+09:30

This is a story I heard from one of the girls at uni, who seems have
a number of stories like these up her sleeve, cos she works at a pub.
For instance, yesterday she was telling people that she overheard
some woman talking about someone who'd bought some bras in Africa,
and that after wearing one, some kind of worm had laid eggs on her nipple.
Beautiful.

Anyway, the killer one I am really writing about is from a couple of
months ago. A girl went home with guy that she'd fancied for a while
after a big night out. In the morning, he told her that he needed to work
that day, so he had to go, but she could take her time in leaving,
and just close the door behind her when she left, as it would deadlock.
So, when she'd slept in enough, she went and took a massive dump in
the toilet. For some reason, it wouldn't flush. So of course she
proceeded to scoop it up and put it in a plastic bag. She left the
bag next to a table on the way out, where she wrote a note saying
what a great night she had, and left her phone number. Then she
walked out the door, which deadlocked before the bag of crap could be
retrieved.
She changed her phone number that day.

What I like about this story is that there's a number of points at
which you just have to ask "WHY?"

The story has probably passed on enough to enter into urban legend
status, but still... it's a great, if bewildering story. I encourage
you to pass it on.

For fuck's sake!

2006-08-10T21:50:00.000+09:30

I just got a third copy of Singstar Anthems!

Am I That Transparent?

2006-08-08T00:40:00.000+09:30

I got two copies of Singstar Anthems for my birthday today.

"I love you Julian!"
I haven't seen so much moshing and heard so much squealing for years.
The Strokes:

I Love All!

2006-07-28T13:02:00.000+09:30

It's nearly a week later and I'm still extremely happy after my two week jaunt around the east of the country. Splendour is the main reason, but I also met so many cool people while I was away. Wednesday was the only real dip this week, where I kinda realised I had to face real life again, but I actually seem to have gone back into denial mode a bit.
Anyway, highlights include:
Death Cab - Not content with 3 nights in a row, I tried in vain to get tickets to their fourth show in Adelaide. Quite serious. I would have flown back to Adelaide for it.
Anyway, here's a photo of Chris in Sydney (note Grates shirt):

Then I went on to Canberra, hung out with my old uni mate Guy and went to the War Memorial and National Gallery. I've already posted about that.
Saw the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in Sydney, awesome bit being when towards the end of playing Maps Karen O leaned over to Nick and spoke into his ear, then proclaimed that they would do something they'd "never done before in Yeah Yeah Yeahs history". Then she started singing Maps again slowly, acapella, and then Nick joined in slowly! It was awesome, and I took a great video of it. I also met this girl who showed me all these photos of her meeting Death Cab that last weekend, then she proceeded to show me a billion photos of her going to Bonneroo, and meeting The Grates outside of the Mercury Lounge in NY. I was so jealous. She also told me about something called 'Emo Gum'. Only in America.

Splendour of course was highlight of the trip, top three moments would probably be:
1. Snow Patrol playing Run
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs playing Maps
3. Death Cab (yet again)

But there was so many other great bands - Sonic Youth, TV on the Radio.. so much greatness.
Here's more photos:
Dungen

TV on the Radio (with Brian Chase and Nick Zinner)

Snow Patrol

Sonic Youth

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Brian Wilson

You Am I w/ Sexy Texy

I took over 500 photos on the weekend, but that doesn't mean they're all good. But I'll leave it there.

I love you

Subject: Feedback

2006-07-26T23:49:00.000+09:30

Date: 26 July 2006 11:38:19 PM
To: 9am@networkten.com.au

I've never sent email like this before but this is one of the worst programs I've ever seen. The main culprit appears to be David who seems to makes the stupidest comments I've ever heard, some of them quite offensive at times. I believe I heard him going on about Kim's breasts just last week, for crying out loud. This is morning television!
Kim appears to be very uncomfortable around him. Perhaps she would do better with someone else, but even then I'm not so sure.
I'm not a huge fan of this American-style forced-chit-chat-in-the-morning programming, but if you're going to do it, you definitely need to test the chemistry between two hosts before embarking on this kind of show.

Sightseeing

2006-07-19T15:56:00.000+09:30

Just went to the National Gallery. Great collection of art, much better than Art Gallery of SA. Best thing I saw was actually from an Adelaide artist (born in Iraq I think), a sculpture called Falling, of a figure falling towards Earth.

Edit (26/7): The sculpture was by Hossein Valamesh, born in Iran. I think I like it so much because I used to have dreams about flying a lot, back when I remembered my dreams. According to the plaque near the sculpture it was inspired by a passage in 'The Satanic Verses':

I also bought a Noam Chomsky book to read yesterday. Go lefty. I could say I'm getting political, being in the capital, but I think I got it mainly because it was $15 cheaper than the 'History of the 20th Century' that I *really* wanted to get.

Death Cab: 3, Me: 3. All winners!

2006-07-18T15:17:00.000+09:30

Just had the most fantastic time ever, seeing Death Cab For Cutie 3 nights in a row. Not content with resting on those laurels, I attempted to obtain tickets for Monday nights show, but was unsuccessful. Had I obtained a ticket, I would have flown back to Adelaide for a fourth night of greatness, but it's probably just as well I saved the dosh. I heard that people were selling tickets at the door, however :( Someone nicely called me during the encore so I could hear, which was appreciated.

Anyway, not all my time has been spent being an obsessed Death Cab freako. I hung out with a whole bunch of cool peeps in Melbourne, stayed in the fancy pants area of town (Kew), and checked out the Picasso exhibition (OK, but I think the Munch one I saw last year was more interesting). I caught S with the biggest grin ever whilst texting her new boyfriend, who I didn't get to meet. It's a look I don't think I'll ever forget.

Having been to Sydney and had a look at it living-wise rather than tourist-wise, I would have to say that I'm kinda undecided. Should I want to move east in the future, I think I would have a hard time choosing between Melbourne and Sydney. Whereas previously it was M-town all the way.

Coolest person I've met on this trip so far would have to Unsteady Girl. Andrew writes the story better than me, being the wit-master he is, although he missed the inital encounter getting his food. She was wondering up and down decided what to eat for quite a while, before bringing her food right next to me, banging chairs out of the way as she went. Read the story - I definitely think she went to the wine fair to get drunk in an attempt to deal with her boyfriend/porn issues.

This all happened at the Eating World food court in Chinatown in Sydney. A great name, and an even better logo, which I'm ashamed to say I forgot to take a photo of. I might redress that on Thursday.

Anyway, I've just had a gander at the War Memorial (very sad), and am about to check out the National Gallery. Just chillin out here in Canberra before I go a Splendouring.. Sad to hear that Clap Your Hands have cancelled, though.

Photo-ey goodness will resume soon, I promise.

Sleepy Jackson

2006-07-09T12:12:00.000+09:30

A couple from Sleepy Jackson's promo show at Jive last week. Luke was quite funny, and Mal and he spent lots of time with people after for signings and chatting, dispelling the whole 'difficult artist' myth that Luke has about him. Don't ask why he had a plastic burger on stage with him.

Peace out.

Conflicted

2006-07-02T05:50:00.000+09:30

About the breakup of Sleater-Kinney, and the new material coming from the Rapture...

Meanwhile, I have Cursive's latest record, and it sounds Brilliant with a capital Brill as Tim Kasher normally manages.

And I'm apparently going to Melbourne in September to see Hard-Fi. They have a couple of great singles and not really a lot else but I will have fun anyway. This is in addition to my upcoming trek de la Death Cab/Splendour. 3 Nights of Death Cab in a row. I can't wait.

I interviewed Toby from Youth Group this week. It was a really good interview, I thought. Got him to admit that yes, the last gig here was crap, but that shouldn't stop the next one being good. Their new album's nice. Although I have to say that very few albums have struck me as being great yet this year. I really like the Yeah Yeah Yeah's latest... Futureheads new one is good. Definitely Cursive will be getting a lot of play..

The last couple of days have been generally excellent, despite much lack of sleep. I saw the sunrise, while writing a lot of material about genetics. I saw Danny! And I fully intend to catch up with him again next week (which is now looking fully booked out). I was reminded just how fantastic I think he is, and it's a little sad I don't see him so much anymore. I also had a great time tonight with friends of the present. May they last long into the future.

There are few points where I have been more happy than I am now.

Te quiero todos.

Ala cama.

Edit: I may have been under the influence when writing this one - check the time out.

Sorry

2006-06-25T15:53:00.000+09:30

I just realised that I've been continuously on top of the Adelaide Index for a long while, because of my last.fm charts updating. Apologies to all those who came through expecting to find something current - I've been a little too busy, mainly with uni, to bother blogging. Anyway, I've changed the charts so that they sit on the side of the page, so hopefully that won't happen anymore. Hopefully.

Just heard that my American cousin's gotten married to a Fillipino girl. Bit of a surprise, but apparently we're all invited to a second ceremony in Manila next year, which should be fun if I end up going.

Very much looking forward to going interstate in a few weeks. I'm seeing Death Cab 3 nights in a row (I've told everyone in real life a million times so now you know too), and then going to Splendour. Very exciting.

I'm interviewing Youth Group on Tuesday. I have no idea why I agreed to this when I have 2 exams and a lit review all due this week (and there's the Italy v Australia game to watch).

Exam periods are great for procrastination tactics such as watching 2 whole seasons of Veronica Mars with a fair bit of The Office within the space of a few days. I don't know how I live with myself sometimes.

While I'm here, here's some Belle & Sebastian photos:

The best that Sony BMG's marketing brains could come up with

2006-05-02T19:49:00.000+09:30

Shannon Noll's Lift

An album full of great songs

Better

2006-04-20T12:50:00.000+09:30

They said you'd never get anywhere.
But you don't care and it's just not fair
that you know and I know better.

yes I do.

Cute

2006-04-12T10:21:00.000+09:30

Kristy just called me cute. She then qualified it by saying "You know what cute means, right? Ugly but interesting."

Thunderbirds Are Now!, The Hold Steady

2006-03-03T01:38:00.000+10:30

The Gossip, Pretty Girls Make Graves

2006-03-03T01:35:00.000+10:30

Les Savy Fav

2006-03-03T01:28:00.000+10:30

Desiderata

2006-02-23T11:58:00.000+10:30

Simmo sent this to me the other day:

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Just wanted to reminisce.

2006-02-19T02:36:00.000+10:30

2006-02-19T02:31:00.000+10:30

One of the best shows ever - Flaming Lips '04

And what's with..

2006-02-18T16:17:00.000+10:30

People that shake your hand like they’re trying to starve your fingers of oxygen? Wankers is what I call them. I can totally understand the social convention where you should give a pretty firm handshake. I myself am guilty of having an extremely weak handshake, I acknowledge that. It’s not particularly good form. If someone receives a weak handshake, then it kind of implies that the person is not really interested in you, ie not giving you full attention. That’s not necessarily true, as I give weak handshakes all the time to people I don’t care to know, would like to know better, or are ambivalent to. It’s all the same bloody handshake, and all it really says is that I’m a kind of reserved person.

I went to the pub the other night to meet T and D and there was this pissed pommy on their table. I had no idea who he was but he looked like a wanker from the start. Anyway he gave the hardest handshake I’ve had for a couple of years. I felt almost violated. Turned out they were trying to get rid of him. Anyway, moral is, give a nice firm handshake, but don’t got overboard about it. Same goes for anything else in life, I guess. Be nice and positive and don’t be a shake people too hard. See? The handshake is an allegory for life. All deep and meaningful-like, I am.

Word.

Lohan Falls for Ryan Adams? WHAT?

2006-02-10T09:47:00.000+10:30

Very little makes sense to me anymore. Or maybe this makes perfect sense, because Ryan Adams be LOCO

Lindsay Lohan may have found a new man in the shape of rocker Ryan
Adams. The actress/singer, who was recently romantically linked to
her Chapter 27 co-star Jared Leto, has been quietly dating Adams for
a month, according to American magazine In Touch. A pal tells the
publication, "She's spending all her free time with him. She has been
staying at his Greenwich Village (New York) apartment almost every
night. She thinks musicians are sexy and she's a fan of his music."

You wouldn't believe the percentage of photos of Lohan I saw where she was holding a phone.

BDO

2006-02-06T10:35:00.000+10:30

Iggy
Kaori from The Go! Team (below) - ran on stage with 30 other people including Gerling during No Fun by Iggy

Yes, I ended up seeing Youth Group again...

Sleater-Kinney!

Soulwax & 2ManyDJs

The kids aren't alright

2006-02-05T19:12:00.000+10:30

Domestics.

Saw a bit of one last night. Woman was throwing clothes out on the lawn in front of the guy while the two kids were holding each other. I don’t have any insightful things to say about it. I just felt bad for the kids.

http://suicidegirls.com/members/Fanny/

I interviewed one of the SuicideGirls the other morning. Asked her how she thought stripping advanced the feminist cause (at the suggestion of another - I probably would have asked something similar anyway, but I’m not really a confrontational type). She pretty cool to talk to. Not 100% sure if I’d bother going to see their show though. They are touring here in April or some such. Can someone fill me in on what the point of this burlesque resurgence is? I think something might be going over my head. I guess I’d be entertained enough though.

Youth Groop

2006-02-02T11:26:00.000+10:30

Probably won't be able to see them again tomorrow but memories are good...

TV rots your brain

2006-02-02T09:44:00.000+10:30

Watched a couple of episodes of The OC last night. Love of Diagrams come on during a surf scene.. I nearly fell off my bed! Good on 'em. And they're not just good because of Monika the drummer. Everyone always seems to mention how she's hot and stuff. She is, but they've got good songs too, dammit!
The best bit though was this little moment where Seth and Summer are wearing the flappy hats and falling on the bed calling each other snow angels and stuff. It was too cute.

This is what I've been reduced to writing about - The OC. Oh well, I guess I could be talking about 24.

Meanwhile BDO is coming up. Someone wanted us to dress up 70's Sports style, but most people are having second thoughts. Especially since it's going to 30 and late showers when we thought it would just be HOT.
I bought a green tennis shirt off of eBay but it still hasn't turned up. If I get it tonight I guess I'll wear it but otherwise... normal festival gear for me...

.. ..

2006-01-06T09:45:00.000+10:30

This has to be one of the coolest photos I've ever taken

2005-12-22T15:05:00.000+10:30

Corner Hotel, Melbourne, 29 January, 2005

Baby

2005-12-09T12:48:00.000+10:30

Top Fives

2005-12-07T09:22:00.000+10:30

International
1. MAE: The Everglow - Tooth & Nail/Stomp

2. Death Cab For Cutie: Plans - Atlantic /Warner

3. VHS or Beta: Night On Fire - Astralwerks/EMI

4. The Arcade Fire: Funeral - Spunk/Inertia

5. Bloc Party: Silent Alarm - V2/FMR

Australian
1. Holly Throsby: On Night - Spunk
2. Little Ice Age: Little Ice Age EP - Independent
3. Belittle League: Oh, I Fell Down - Independent
4. Ben Lee: Awake Is The New Sleep - Ten Fingers/Inertia
5. Pharaohs: Broken Arms/Panic Stations 7" - Mixmasters/Shock

Gay Picnic and Hetero Bonding

2005-11-28T12:56:00.000+10:30

Went to a buck's night on Saturday. Why is it that I spent $45 on lap dances for the buck, and none of his rellies and close friends seemed to get anything for him? I mean, isn't that what we were there for? Otherwise, it was just a bunch of bored looking guys ogling naked women in the corner. We might as well have gone to somewhere more.. interesting at least.
Hmm. Seeing naked women is certainly interesting, I guess, but strip clubs certainly get boring and sleazy pretty quickly.
Not really the most interesting night really. Sunday was better, I was late for Jess' birthday picnic at Rymill Park but needed Coke, so smart me, I parked in Hindmarsh Sq and walked through Rundle Mall to Woolies, then back to Rymill Park. I ended up being an hour late. And the only large cold bottles of drink available were the new tropical flavoured Pepsi, which is pretty ordinary. But I did bump into the ex and her boy. Barely said much to them though, cos I was late. Then straight after that I walked past Luise and Anthony. I did the 'pretend not to notice' thing. It's such bad form, and something I do all too often. Sometimes it's instinctive. But in the Luise/Anthony case I don't mind because I was in a rush and because we don't really have much to say anyway.
I also walked past TG and Maja, who called out to me a bit apparently, but I really didn't notice them for ages. Had a bit of a chat.
Anyway, I got really lost in Rymill Park, as it was coincidentally the end of Feast celebration. It was hard to find anyone, but it was pretty cool to walk through a sea of dancing gay people. Bumped into Holly there (was the day for bumping), she suggested that there must have been something that I hadn't told her. Typical Holly thing to say...

The Picnic was great, and followed it by watching Corpse Bride. Great film, probably not quite as good as Nightmare Before Christmas, but easier to get into, I think. Danny Elfman's music is fantastic.
Going to buy a scooter this week.

2005-11-24T10:30:00.000+10:30

So, maybe I'll actually start writing in this thing. I think it's the second or third blog I've written in.. If you can call making a couple of posts and then forgetting where the blog is writing.
I expect I'll probably be mainly putting stuff up about gigs I've seen and people I've interviewed, etc.
Here's a couple of the first photos i took yesterday with my new camera - he's such a poseur: