I'm going for longest blog-topic yet. Let's see how long this lasts...
Anyway, onto more news-like things. Made it over to Melbourne safely, though where we can fit all my stuff into Imogen's little studio apartment I don't know. But after only being in Melbourne a mere 3 or 4 days, Imogen and I have headed over to here, sunny (and bloody windy) Hobart.
For those not in the know yet, we're digitising (i.e. taking digital photos of) lots and lots of old Convict records. Given that Tasmania was the penal colony for the penal colony, there are lots. Not come across any with any of our surnames yet, but I'll keep an eye out. Today was our first day, and only 3 or 4 pages into my first book, I came across a record which ended abruptly with the inscription 'Died - Drowned in the Derwent River'. It was odd to think that this is probably the last known record of this man's life, and here I am, photographing it 150-odd years in the future.
The other hassle is accommodation - we were booked into what seemed like a nice enough backpackers... but after one night's sleep we're changing. I mean, I'm all for frugal living when needed, but the smell! The cramped room! And also the fact that our bedroom door is literally next to the top of the stairs from the lower levels, which translates into 'CLOMP CLOMP CLOMP' all night long from drunk europeans and asians.
Otherwise, Hobart is pretty, if small. The big shopping Mall here is nothing (about a block long), though we did walk past the oldest pub in Australia last night (est. 1807). Also, Jet were apparently playing last night, not that we went to see them. Violent Femmes and Sarah Blasko are playing over the next week or two, so we may see them instead.
Until the next exciting chapter....
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
A pertinent summary
Hail, cyber visitors. Have decided to write a quick entry, since hope dwindles that we will see a post from George today.
The national Young Liberals conference is in full swing at the moment, and a few Government ministers have stopped in for a rant. Downer is channelling a 2003-esque Bush to explain why the terrorists win if we ever, ever, leave Iraq. Ruddock is being his usual scary self. But I think the most concise, bone chilling summary of 10 years of the Libs was delivered by Tony Abbot:
Yep. Reversing humanist policies is what it's all about. I for one look forward to briefly passing through the heady, laissez-faire renaissance era as we regress to the social values of the middle ages. We can look forward to less sex and more burnings at the stake (especially now that Australia has access to a ready supply of infidels) but on the plus side the handouts for single-income families will be a comfort.
The national Young Liberals conference is in full swing at the moment, and a few Government ministers have stopped in for a rant. Downer is channelling a 2003-esque Bush to explain why the terrorists win if we ever, ever, leave Iraq. Ruddock is being his usual scary self. But I think the most concise, bone chilling summary of 10 years of the Libs was delivered by Tony Abbot:
"This Government's decisions to overturn the Northern Territory's euthanasia law, ban gay marriage, stop the ACT heroin trial, provide additional financial support for one-income families, and try to reduce abortion numbers through pregnancy support counselling show that the tide of secular humanism was not as irreversible as [was previously] thought."
Yep. Reversing humanist policies is what it's all about. I for one look forward to briefly passing through the heady, laissez-faire renaissance era as we regress to the social values of the middle ages. We can look forward to less sex and more burnings at the stake (especially now that Australia has access to a ready supply of infidels) but on the plus side the handouts for single-income families will be a comfort.
Monday, January 29, 2007
We should consider ourselves lucky
Due to a distinct lack of anything to do (which i have been suffering since finishing uni) I have taken up surfing the net with greater frequency. In that time I have laughed, I have cried (well no not really) and most importantly I have been entertained.
However I now turn to a very serious matter and as was alluded to in the title of this blog 'we should consider ourselves lucky', after all we could be Mozart. In an effort to make Mozart's plight widely known I would like to draw your attention to this link. Mozart we feel for you.
Catchya
Alice
However I now turn to a very serious matter and as was alluded to in the title of this blog 'we should consider ourselves lucky', after all we could be Mozart. In an effort to make Mozart's plight widely known I would like to draw your attention to this link. Mozart we feel for you.
Catchya
Alice
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Australia Day
.
And then I found out Augie March had taken the top sport in the Triple J Hottest 100:
.
And then I found out Augie March had taken the top sport in the Triple J Hottest 100:
.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
A Revelation
Brown Jesus is a Buddhist! My colleague came to this startling (and possibly heretical) conclusion at lunch and upon reflection I am forced to agree.
I wore our Lord to work today and over a pint said colleague asked if I could furnish everyone with a description of His nature. 'With gladness,' said I. 'Brown Jesus hails from San Francisco, and he advocates having a happy, chilled out time and not harshing anyone else's buzz. He is generally accepting of other people's viewpoints, and tends to sulk every time there is a holy war.'
'Aha!' cried my colleague, as if he had sprung from a Roald Dahl short story. 'Brown Jesus sounds like he is a Buddhist!'
At the time, all I could do was reluctantly concur. After more thought, I'd respond that tolerance was Brown Jesus' thing first, and the Buddhists infringed his patent.
I wore our Lord to work today and over a pint said colleague asked if I could furnish everyone with a description of His nature. 'With gladness,' said I. 'Brown Jesus hails from San Francisco, and he advocates having a happy, chilled out time and not harshing anyone else's buzz. He is generally accepting of other people's viewpoints, and tends to sulk every time there is a holy war.'
'Aha!' cried my colleague, as if he had sprung from a Roald Dahl short story. 'Brown Jesus sounds like he is a Buddhist!'
At the time, all I could do was reluctantly concur. After more thought, I'd respond that tolerance was Brown Jesus' thing first, and the Buddhists infringed his patent.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Odds & Ends
I've noticed that a large proportion of blog posts seem to exist purely to point people in the direction of other blogs or web pages. One sometimes wonders whether there is any actual content on the 'net at all. Still, I like to think I am pro-recycling, and I don't see why recycling other people's thoughts should be any different. Thus I present a few diversions for your enjoyment/edutainment.
An interesting blog
Ever been in a taxi and had a conversation with a taxi driver? I have. We talked about the prevalence and location of brothels in Adelaide. Apparently, on a per capita basis, Adelaide has an extraordinary number of them. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that taxi drivers seem to be interesting people, and now one of them blogs about the trials and tribulations of being a cabbie in Sydney. Thus: Cablog. A good read for a slow afternoon at work.
What happens when a leftie takes power in Europe
The BBC has released a nifty little flash game that allows you assume the presidency of Europe over the coming century. Your goal is to lower greenhouse gas emissions and stave off the worst effects of climate change, all while maintaining a healthy public approval rating. You can play the game here (just click 'open' below the picture). This was my result:
If you're too lazy to click on the image, I basically ran Europe's economy into the ground to produce a paradise for hippies and dole bludgers. For this I was very highly regarded by the populace. I also managed to land people on Mars. If you play the game, I would be very interested to see/hear about your results.
Heavy, man
Finally, I'd strongly recommend a visit to Australians All. It's a site set up by a group of prominent Australians who argue for a less... shit approach to foreign relations and multiculturalism than has been taken by the current government. Alas, there are no funky animations or humorous top 100 lists, but there are excellent, thought-provoking arguments about subjects ranging from the plight of David Hicks to immigration policy.
If you want somewhere to start, try this article. It's by Malcolm Fraser, a former Australian PM (but you guys knew that already, right? right??). He compares the current climate vis-a-vis the Muslim situation to anti-Japanese WWII propaganda, and quotes Robert Menzies to show the futility (among other adjectives) of this approach.
An interesting blog
Ever been in a taxi and had a conversation with a taxi driver? I have. We talked about the prevalence and location of brothels in Adelaide. Apparently, on a per capita basis, Adelaide has an extraordinary number of them. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that taxi drivers seem to be interesting people, and now one of them blogs about the trials and tribulations of being a cabbie in Sydney. Thus: Cablog. A good read for a slow afternoon at work.
What happens when a leftie takes power in Europe
The BBC has released a nifty little flash game that allows you assume the presidency of Europe over the coming century. Your goal is to lower greenhouse gas emissions and stave off the worst effects of climate change, all while maintaining a healthy public approval rating. You can play the game here (just click 'open' below the picture). This was my result:
If you're too lazy to click on the image, I basically ran Europe's economy into the ground to produce a paradise for hippies and dole bludgers. For this I was very highly regarded by the populace. I also managed to land people on Mars. If you play the game, I would be very interested to see/hear about your results.
Heavy, man
Finally, I'd strongly recommend a visit to Australians All. It's a site set up by a group of prominent Australians who argue for a less... shit approach to foreign relations and multiculturalism than has been taken by the current government. Alas, there are no funky animations or humorous top 100 lists, but there are excellent, thought-provoking arguments about subjects ranging from the plight of David Hicks to immigration policy.
If you want somewhere to start, try this article. It's by Malcolm Fraser, a former Australian PM (but you guys knew that already, right? right??). He compares the current climate vis-a-vis the Muslim situation to anti-Japanese WWII propaganda, and quotes Robert Menzies to show the futility (among other adjectives) of this approach.
Swing Dancing part 2
As a continuation of yesterday's post I feel it necessary to inform everyone that apparently Adelaide has the most vibrant Swing Dancing scene in the whole of Australia. Unfortunatley there is a Swing Dance competition being held at Lismore as we speak so the vibrancy was somewhat lessened last night.
An yet much fun was had at 'The Banque' on O'Connell street where a surprisingly good jazz band and lots of alcohol provided an excellent atmosphere. Shame about the lack of nicely proportioned men to fetch and carry though.
Catchya
Alice
An yet much fun was had at 'The Banque' on O'Connell street where a surprisingly good jazz band and lots of alcohol provided an excellent atmosphere. Shame about the lack of nicely proportioned men to fetch and carry though.
Catchya
Alice
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Someone other than Andrew
Seeing as Andy appears to be the only one blogging with any sort of regularity I thought I'd submit a post to break up the monotony.
Two things shall be presented in this blog. 1st I would like to announce that tonight I shall be going Swing Dancing. This is clearly out of the ordinary and I'm quite intrigued as to where in Adelaide on a Tuesday night one can go Swing Dancing in a venue that holds a bar and is also frequented by nicely proportioned young men to act as partners, buy drinks and in general fetch and carry. I put these queries to you faithful bloggers.
Second having recently been sent this link and enjoyed at least half and hour of enjoyment from it I thought it was my civic duty to share with you. http://www.homehardware.com.au/index.cfm?pageID=160 Hope you all enjoy. People who dislike cats or just like spraying hoses randomly should get a kick out of it.
Catchya
Alice
Two things shall be presented in this blog. 1st I would like to announce that tonight I shall be going Swing Dancing. This is clearly out of the ordinary and I'm quite intrigued as to where in Adelaide on a Tuesday night one can go Swing Dancing in a venue that holds a bar and is also frequented by nicely proportioned young men to act as partners, buy drinks and in general fetch and carry. I put these queries to you faithful bloggers.
Second having recently been sent this link and enjoyed at least half and hour of enjoyment from it I thought it was my civic duty to share with you. http://www.homehardware.com.au/index.cfm?pageID=160 Hope you all enjoy. People who dislike cats or just like spraying hoses randomly should get a kick out of it.
Catchya
Alice
Sunday, January 21, 2007
I've got a brand new camera baby (and the interior colour may or may not be red)
So those of you who already know this probably know this already, but I bought a camera this weekend. It's a Canon 400D and it's my purchase of the week. It takes awesome photos but it has to be treated like a lady. If you fiddle with its knobs too much it loses focus.
Speaking of out of focus, check these out!
You can get a bigger version of the photos by clicking on them. Our George is a photogenic bastard, isn't he?
Before I sign off, I'd like to share something that happened to me last night. I was at a party, and there was a pretty girl sitting on my lap. Everyone in the immediate surrounds had had a bit to drink and there was much merriment. All was right with the world. Then, suddenly, unbidden, came a flash of memory that chilled the very marrow of my bones.
It was a recollection of one of Sandman's soliloquys, delivered on Good News Week almost a decade ago. In it, he recounted a similar experience where, 'at the end of year TAFE party, Gail, a mature age student, sat on my lap.' He goes on to recount an agonising forty minutes of numbness, tingling, and severe bladder pain until:
For the rest of the night my calves were sore, though.
Speaking of out of focus, check these out!
You can get a bigger version of the photos by clicking on them. Our George is a photogenic bastard, isn't he?
Before I sign off, I'd like to share something that happened to me last night. I was at a party, and there was a pretty girl sitting on my lap. Everyone in the immediate surrounds had had a bit to drink and there was much merriment. All was right with the world. Then, suddenly, unbidden, came a flash of memory that chilled the very marrow of my bones.
It was a recollection of one of Sandman's soliloquys, delivered on Good News Week almost a decade ago. In it, he recounted a similar experience where, 'at the end of year TAFE party, Gail, a mature age student, sat on my lap.' He goes on to recount an agonising forty minutes of numbness, tingling, and severe bladder pain until:
When she stood up and said 'let's go, swarthy,' I couldn't move. My legs were completely numb. All I could do was drop off the chair and wet myself. I suspect Gail was after someone who was better under pressure than me.It's funny the tricks that our minds can play, isn't it? Why did my brain call that obscure piece of memory to mind? Luckily, the lovely lady on my lap was not a mature age TAFE student named Gail, and when eventually she stood up, I managed to retain control over my bladder.
For the rest of the night my calves were sore, though.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Musical events that I'm excited about
I'm glad that I waited 'till after lunch to write about the Blues and Roots Festival (5-9 April), because in the mean time they've released the second round of artist anouncements! Among others, I am excited about seeing Paul Kelly live for the first time. Paul is the slightly less famous uncle of Dan. Other people I'm hanging out to see are Ben Kweller, Rodrigo y Grabriella (again!!), Gomez, John Butler Trio, Eric Burden and the Animals, etc etc.
I have a five day ticket, so if other people want to come up for five days, or three days, or some other number of days, you should organise it soon. Apparently 5 and 3 day tickets are almost sold out. Get it sorted, people! If youse guys are interested, we can probably sort some accomodation out in Byron itself, so we can walk to Red Devil Park. Those with me last year may recall driving back to Lismore through floods, bone tired and jangly from all the speed balls, shouting at each other about Aboriginal cave drawings. Not as fun as it sounds.
I'd also like to mention that I'll almost certainly be in Sydney on June 20th. Why? Well, it may not be everyone's cup o' tea, but the PLAY! concert (sic annoying capitalisation) will be at the Sydney Opera House on that night. Yep, orchestrated video game music. This kind of thing very rarely comes to Australia, so I don't want to miss it. Scoff if you must, but if you seek understanding one could do worse than reading this article (nice web design skillz, too).
If anyone has thoughts, or wants to journey with me to these events, let me know.
PS: I've posted, Alice has posted, Julian's posted. Congrats! What about Kate, George and Jono? Pop that cherry!
I have a five day ticket, so if other people want to come up for five days, or three days, or some other number of days, you should organise it soon. Apparently 5 and 3 day tickets are almost sold out. Get it sorted, people! If youse guys are interested, we can probably sort some accomodation out in Byron itself, so we can walk to Red Devil Park. Those with me last year may recall driving back to Lismore through floods, bone tired and jangly from all the speed balls, shouting at each other about Aboriginal cave drawings. Not as fun as it sounds.
I'd also like to mention that I'll almost certainly be in Sydney on June 20th. Why? Well, it may not be everyone's cup o' tea, but the PLAY! concert (sic annoying capitalisation) will be at the Sydney Opera House on that night. Yep, orchestrated video game music. This kind of thing very rarely comes to Australia, so I don't want to miss it. Scoff if you must, but if you seek understanding one could do worse than reading this article (nice web design skillz, too).
If anyone has thoughts, or wants to journey with me to these events, let me know.
PS: I've posted, Alice has posted, Julian's posted. Congrats! What about Kate, George and Jono? Pop that cherry!
Dangnabbit!
I was so hoping that I'd get to be the first non-Andrew-type-person to make a post on here, but Alice got in before me. Serves me right for having people over. *glares at Jono*
But I find it somewhat ironic that I found the invitation to join this blog when I arrive back in Adelaide. Yes, Imogen and I are back till next Friday, when I load up my little Mazda and trundle her back to Melbourne, full of guitars, clothes and computer bits (the car will be full of stuff, not Imogen). But we shall be returning in March, to participate in Fringe-y and WOMAD-y goodness. Anyone else interested?
And talking of people being interested/ing, seeing as I leave this fair state (for at least two months!), I was thinking of having me a farewell-type shenanigan, or even a hootenanny. So who's up for drinks at Boho on Monday evening? George swears he's going to stop buying everyone drinks, but he always says that. Give him an absinth or two and he's anyone's bitch. Right, George?
Oh, and are we still planning on Blues-and-Roots-ing it this Easter?
- Jules
But I find it somewhat ironic that I found the invitation to join this blog when I arrive back in Adelaide. Yes, Imogen and I are back till next Friday, when I load up my little Mazda and trundle her back to Melbourne, full of guitars, clothes and computer bits (the car will be full of stuff, not Imogen). But we shall be returning in March, to participate in Fringe-y and WOMAD-y goodness. Anyone else interested?
And talking of people being interested/ing, seeing as I leave this fair state (for at least two months!), I was thinking of having me a farewell-type shenanigan, or even a hootenanny. So who's up for drinks at Boho on Monday evening? George swears he's going to stop buying everyone drinks, but he always says that. Give him an absinth or two and he's anyone's bitch. Right, George?
Oh, and are we still planning on Blues-and-Roots-ing it this Easter?
- Jules
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Mungo
Hello all,
I'm back from Mungo and had a rather interesting time of it. Highlights include holding a piece of egg shell from a Genyornis (extinct giant flightless bird that died out 50,000 years ago) in 46 degree heat and getting pissed as a newt while singing bad karaoke. Finished off with a creepy man (after first trying to serenade us with Jimmy Barnes) lurking at our door for 45 minutes listening to our conversation and a walk at the Walls of China (a rather spectacular lunar landscape) parts of which were formed over 100,000 years ago. And who can forget listening to a goat trapper trying to round up sheep in his sleep while lying under the stars in a landscape that looked startingly like one out of Wolf Creek.
So to all I say beware of the bad ghost shephard who beats up sheep, gives bad haircuts while you sleep and has a penchant for bananas (I'd tell you why but I don't want to be the first one to sully this blog).
Catchya
Alice
I'm back from Mungo and had a rather interesting time of it. Highlights include holding a piece of egg shell from a Genyornis (extinct giant flightless bird that died out 50,000 years ago) in 46 degree heat and getting pissed as a newt while singing bad karaoke. Finished off with a creepy man (after first trying to serenade us with Jimmy Barnes) lurking at our door for 45 minutes listening to our conversation and a walk at the Walls of China (a rather spectacular lunar landscape) parts of which were formed over 100,000 years ago. And who can forget listening to a goat trapper trying to round up sheep in his sleep while lying under the stars in a landscape that looked startingly like one out of Wolf Creek.
So to all I say beware of the bad ghost shephard who beats up sheep, gives bad haircuts while you sleep and has a penchant for bananas (I'd tell you why but I don't want to be the first one to sully this blog).
Catchya
Alice
New Additions
The Jee Sees. Jono, you're the living end. (Check out his profile)
Welcome also to Kate, who has worked out how to check her email.
Welcome also to Kate, who has worked out how to check her email.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
First Post - Opposites
In case you hadn't realised, the blog you are reading now exists. Previous to the submission of this post, it didn't, so I guess you could say that this is a landmark moment.
Before I try to say anything entertaining, I hope you'll permit me a small information tangent. This blog has been brought into existence by me, Andrew, to service the needs of the friends I email and who email me. I'm sick of trying to remember email addresses when I'm at work, and too lazy to organise some sort of crazy address book action, so I'm hoping this will make it easier for all concerned to share their thoughts. Those thoughts might be a profound exploration of the mysteries of life, or a link to the latest YouTube video showing semi-naked japanese women riding mechanical bulls and throwing pies at each other.
Anyway, I thought I'd actually write about something useful in this debut post, so I'm going to let you know about the wonderful world of opposites. Over Christmas I went up to Byron Bay to see my family. One night I was drinking with my brother and our cousins. The conversation turned to red wine stains. I offered helpfully (at least I thought so) that the best thing to do to get a red wine stain out is to soak it in white wine. The white wine dissolves the red wine and all of the wine can then be washed away.
As logical as this seems, my brother was not convinced. He responded swifltly and with alarming stupidity: 'That's ridiculous. That's like saying that if you spill tomato sauce on your clothes you should soak it in barbeque sauce to get rid of the stain. Tomato sauce and barbeque sauce are opposites, right, so according to you that should work.'
Now, while my brother's response missed the point in every important respect, we were all intrigued about his confident assumption that tomato sauce and barbeque sauce are 'opposites'. We wondered what other items might have a yang to their yin, a Captain Pollution to their Captain Planet. We thus set out to compile a list of opposites. Unfortunately we were drunk, so I can only recall a few for your reading pleasure.
Opposites:
Before I try to say anything entertaining, I hope you'll permit me a small information tangent. This blog has been brought into existence by me, Andrew, to service the needs of the friends I email and who email me. I'm sick of trying to remember email addresses when I'm at work, and too lazy to organise some sort of crazy address book action, so I'm hoping this will make it easier for all concerned to share their thoughts. Those thoughts might be a profound exploration of the mysteries of life, or a link to the latest YouTube video showing semi-naked japanese women riding mechanical bulls and throwing pies at each other.
Anyway, I thought I'd actually write about something useful in this debut post, so I'm going to let you know about the wonderful world of opposites. Over Christmas I went up to Byron Bay to see my family. One night I was drinking with my brother and our cousins. The conversation turned to red wine stains. I offered helpfully (at least I thought so) that the best thing to do to get a red wine stain out is to soak it in white wine. The white wine dissolves the red wine and all of the wine can then be washed away.
As logical as this seems, my brother was not convinced. He responded swifltly and with alarming stupidity: 'That's ridiculous. That's like saying that if you spill tomato sauce on your clothes you should soak it in barbeque sauce to get rid of the stain. Tomato sauce and barbeque sauce are opposites, right, so according to you that should work.'
Now, while my brother's response missed the point in every important respect, we were all intrigued about his confident assumption that tomato sauce and barbeque sauce are 'opposites'. We wondered what other items might have a yang to their yin, a Captain Pollution to their Captain Planet. We thus set out to compile a list of opposites. Unfortunately we were drunk, so I can only recall a few for your reading pleasure.
Opposites:
Tomato Sauce - Barbeque Sauce
Black Bean Sauce - Whipped Cream
Peri Peri Sauce - Saliva
Tabasco Sauce - Apple and Guava Juice
Port - Passion Pop
Jatz Biscuits - Fairy Floss
Chicken - a Red Brick
Baileys Irish Cream - Islam
That's all I can think of for the moment. If you believe there are any obvious 'opposites' I've neglected, let me know by leaving a comment. It's one of those things you can do on blogs.
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