Burblings Of A She-Geek-in-Training

Condensed

2005-11-03T15:53:00.000+11:00

The past...however many days, in short:

My box of stuff came from Khepri, I was excited. It took ages (by boat) but it was worth the wait. In addition to the comics from them, I also recently picked up Fell #1, which was jolly good. I think I said already that I bought vol. 4 of Y: The Last Man.
Also got a small box of things from mother, which included embarrassingly revealing undergarments and a diamond ring.

It has been awfully hot this week, and I don't like it at all. I need more socks. It is the season of socks, and I can't find most of mine. My legs would rather be amputated than bared in public. It is also fat old shirtless guy weather, which is just horrible and would make anyone with the slightest sense of decency want to stab themselves in the eyes. How are those jiggling, drooping, hirsute manboobs not considered offensive? I beg of you, if you are blessed with a rack, give it the support it needs! At least wear a bikini or a sports bra or coconut shells or something. Pasties, even. Not Cornish pasties. Anyway.

Saturday was warm. I was out and about, buying paint and shirts. Wandered into Chapel Tattoo to drop in a rough sketch for Jakob to work on. I should be spending money on food, not a new tattoo. I care not. It will be fine.

Monday, I went to Laundry in Fitzroy to see the hip-hop lads that came to record a few weeks back. Brutalikah played two sets, and I was extremely impressed by the set they did with the backing band. And I got a good response to this:

What is my Hunter S. Thompson shirt that I made. I am still cutting out my Tom Waits thing, but I will whack that up when it is done. It should be well cool. Stencil Magic lives on!

By the way, there is some place on Brunswick Street (Esco?) that does small (and rather good) pizza and a glass of house wine for $4 until 6pm. I don't know if the wine is any good, because I don't drink wine enough to know. It wasn't unpleasant as far as I could tell. I got the Ricotta & Sun-dried pizza, which was jolly. And certainly you could do a lot worse for $4.

Oh, and everyone in town should go to The Tote tonight to see my favourite pirate band, Sforzando. Everyone except me, that is. Because it is $6 to get in, and I don't have $6. Bloody mongrel bastard pirates.

Firing Blind

2005-10-20T14:15:00.000+10:00

How is everything out in the big scary world? Sometimes, one feels like a white mouse in an endless lab maze, trying to find the way to the cheese with the lights turned off. Occasionally, one starts wondering if there is any cheese. You can either keep blundering about, starving and banging into things, or you can curl up in a ball and wither away (missing out on potential cheese).
Me, I'm pretty sure there's cheese. A nice big round of camembert to snout into. I hope. And so I blunder. Hell, for all I know, there could be crackers as well. You never know unless you try.

Anyway. Enough of this talk about cheese. You can tell I've had a slightly stressful time when I start going on about dairy products.

Recording went well. It needs mixing, still, but that's all right. It won't need anything too flashy, I think. One of the vocal tracks is too squashed, that one wants fixing in a big way.

Oh, also...here is another one of my Stencil Magic pieces. No, I do not know what Stencil Magic is. It just popped out. Shut up.
Anyway. I took the image from Un Chien Andalou, for those that don't recognise it. I finished this one a day after I finished the Serge one. I quite like it!

Remember The Maxx? That was a good comic. And a pretty good TV show, too. I should get around to buying the TPBs, seeing as I have no idea what has happened to my patchy collection of single issues. Ah, the Liquid Television days...

Nothing else of note, or at least, nothing I wish to expose. Blah. Cheerio!

Down With The Sickness

2005-10-13T09:25:00.000+10:00

I'm ill again! Brilliant timing, too, as I'm supposed to clock in for a 12-hour recording session tomorrow night and can already feel fevers coming on. Great. Apparently I am in dire need of nutrients. Which I could very well buy, if I never went to gigs. Frankly, I'd rather have the gin and cigarettes. Here's to short-term thinking!

MIDI assignments were cancelled this week, which I was relieved about. I did not particularly want to do another overnighter with that horrible Nord Lead. At least I know that it wasn't just me having problems with it, and feel slightly less of an idiot.

Oh, yes...I made a Serge Gainsbourg shirt. It came out really well, better than I thought it would. Which is good. Plaz knows how much of a grump I was when I was making this. Here:

Everybody loves Serge. I've got another one in the works, too.

As always, I am last to know about nifty little internet games, and only recently discovered NationStates.

NationStates is a free nation simulation game. Build a nation and run it according to your own warped political ideals. Create a Utopian paradise for society's less fortunate or a totalitarian corporate police state. Care for your people or deliberately oppress them. Join the United Nations or remain a rogue state. It's really up to you.

It's not the most perfect game in the world, but it's a bit of fun. Plaz and I created a nation a few days ago. There seems to be an awful lot of rutting going on...
Anyway.
I go now, to do stuff.

How About...Totally Frickin' Great!

2005-10-09T03:42:00.000+10:00

The launch for The Suns' new EP was much awesomeness indeed! I got a lot of drinks for free, which was fortunate, as I was running out of cash. Silver confetti shit fell into my bra. A few photos (no, not of my bra) are at Flickr. In true me form, I didn't take any photos of The Suns, which was a shame. There was some mad Hendrix-style guitar action happening! Here's a Mach Pelican photo, though:

...I am eating Pizza Pockets. Does anyone remember those Rock 'n' Rolls? "You can poke and poke...and there's nobody home!" Yeah, they were better.

Acetate Zombies

2005-10-07T14:15:00.000+10:00

Again, I have been neglecting the blog. Again, not much to report. We're starting surround sound at Uni, I got my certificates from ex-Uni (nine High Dist's out of a possible fourteen) so that's over and done with for good.
Have been keeping myself busy with making some stencils.

Tonight, I'm bopping on over to The Astor for zombies. I haven't seen either Land Of The Dead or the Dawn Of The Dead re-working, so it's an adventure. And The Astor is the best cinema in Batman, so I don't really mind if the movies aren't all that and a bag of crisps. But here's hoping!

Oh, and The Suns are playing the Espy tomorrow night. Rock.

Serenity

2005-10-01T00:48:00.000+10:00

I just saw it! I liked it! Me being a bit of a Firefly fruitcake and a Browncoat, I may be a little biased, but it was totally great. The River fights were the best. The best! Ahem. And it was very pleasing to see the boat on a big screen. So my verdict is: Shiny!
A crap review, I know. But I can't give too much away. Go see Serenity! And totally invest in Firefly, it's highly enjoyable.

Also saw a preview for this Night Watch thing, which at the very least looks like eye-candy, some very stylin' visuals. We could do with some good new horror. And the start of the preview freaked the craps out of near everyone in the room! Everyone did that little jump, and got embarrassed and laughed. It's from last year, but us English types are getting it now.

No other news to report. I cut a lump of skin off my finger, because it looked weird and was annoying me. That's about the most exciting thing.

I crave fruit juice. Now I go drink some.

My Baby Arrived!

2005-09-24T02:14:00.000+10:00

Yes, it is lovely, a spanky new iMac G5! For me! I am impressed. It's just so pretty. The only downside of having a new computer is having to transfer crap from The Beast across, which I have yet to do. It's going to be a pain in the backside, but it must be done.
And stop your little "just burn it to CD" suggestions, because The Beast has no burner. That's how ancient it is. It has a floppy drive (do you need me to link to a Wiki article to remind you what that is?), and we all know how disappointing those are. Right, people?
I fear this new machine will turn me into a recluse. I care not.

Not much else to report. Went to the Espy tonight, and visited the New Unimproved Public Bar. It is rather horrible. Yes, I know it always was rather horrible, but it's possibly worse. They have a lot of condensation happening in there, and everyone wearing spectacles had to de-fog as soon as entering. Very hot, and apparently one is not permitted to open the windows. This is probably why I almost fainted. Hooray for being a delicate lady. I swoon! Bring on the smelling salts!

Oh, and here is A Thing I did using ArtRage, which is a very nice painting program that Plaz found:

Wouldn't that look great on a shirt? No, it wouldn't!

Lone Operator

2005-09-20T09:29:00.000+10:00

This is me at Uni! I had an overnighter last night to properly start some assignments, and I was the only one in the entire building. Lucky that I am a Responsible Young Adult and nothing went wrong. However, I officially hate the Nord Lead, and am convinced that it has some sort of vendetta against me. I know that's it's probably because I don't know how to use it properly, but DANG! I managed to actually generate sound from it this time, but I couldn't get it into hateful ballsucking Cubase. This is the opposite problem that I had to the last time I was in there. For some incredibly dull reason, Pro Tools is refusing to run in that room.

Anyway. My brain went to mush at around 6:30 in the morning and I ended up watching Labyrinth in the plasma room. It rocked. Brain is still mush, though.

Fantômas

2005-09-15T10:16:00.000+10:00

Fantomas - Cruddy Picture
Originally uploaded by Char.

So, the Fantômas gig was pretty darn good! Pity I didn't get any nice photos out of it. I was quite a ways from the front, stuck behind the mixing console. I put two photos up on Flickr anyway, but they are rather shite. A lot shite, really. Sorry! Last time I went to see them I didn't have a camera and I was right up front, so I am a little bitter.
I did get a shirt, though. It rocks.

Oh, yeah! My iMac is now being constructed, and I will have it soon! I probably won't throw away this old bastard of a thing just yet, as I may still want to use Photoshop.

I bought things at the supermarket yesterday. Yes, things. You'll see. Or you won't. Ha-ha.

Tuesday Giggage

2005-09-13T15:41:00.000+10:00

I'm totally going to see Fantômas tonight at The Palace, yeah! I will try to get some nice photos of them doing stuff. I hope I can! Then I will post them here and on Flickr for folk to see. No promises, though!
Not completely unrelated: Have a squizz here for amusing reviews and interviews. I am the last to know about things like this, so if you are already familiar, shut up. The Secret Chiefs 3 reviews caused a chain reaction today which resulted in me being sick on my computer keyboard. It was disgusting yet hilarious.

Free Coats Are Great Coats

2005-09-10T02:09:00.000+10:00

Went out tonight to the Windsor Castle Hotel for Haglet's birthday, I was very cranky and sat in the corner cradling gin for most of the night. I did let a few people talk to me at various points. Here is a summary:

Mark: Pixie-faced little freelance DOP. We talked about bad sleep cycles and some other stuff. I warned him about an extremely irritating individual as she was approaching the table. She proceeded to tell him DOP work is not creative in the least, and he didn't look impressed.

Dave: Clearly thinks he can get into my knickers again. I was stand-offish yet civil to him. He apologised for not calling me, and I said "I wouldn't expect you to," and he told me I was a very cold woman. Balls to that. He invited me to come to the Espy (I knew what that would lead to) and also to a gig he was playing Sunday "if you're interested". No.

A Guy I Know: Was a decent chap to me and we had a marginally good conversation. Then the idiot started closing in for a kiss, and I said: "Hup! What on earth do you think you're doing?"
Bleah. He also kept trying to convince me to let him look at my notebook. It pissed me off.

That's about it. I did, however, manage to score a black coat (which appears to be leather but sadly isn't at all) and it happens to fit me perfectly! So that's a bit good. I look rather hip in it. Free coat, can't complain. I walked halfway home watching the lightning shoot across the sky. It was nice to walk in the rain.

Post-post post: Heh, a few seem to want me in their bed tonight. A lad just called up wanting to know if I was in the city and up for it. No way, he holds his shower together with gaffa. I was worried it would collapse.

Cupboard Up

2005-09-08T14:24:00.000+10:00

Cupboard Up
Originally uploaded by Char.

Turbulent times call for lame and pretentious black-and-white photos. There's a bunch of new ones at me Flickr page. I'm in a cupboard!

Stuff! For Me!

2005-09-06T14:57:00.000+10:00

Mail from humans always brightens my day. So I raise a gin-filled glass to Ive for mailing me not only the adorable Sidekick on a String comic, but a bunch of other neat things, including some "just creepy enough" stencilled stuff of yours truly. Full of awesome!

Return of the Phantom Clock

2005-09-05T13:37:00.000+10:00

So, I knuckled down and went to class this morning, despite being very drained. My course fees were due, and I can't really miss many more classes without risking a Fail. Mentally, I was absent and a few times nearly passed out on my book. Walked around the supermarket in a daze afterwards with New Order in my cans, feeling lost among the shelves.

Recently, in the past couple of weeks, I've noticed my Phantom Clock is back. I don't think it's been mentioned here before, and the reason for that is it's been almost two years since it was last around. Phantom Clock is a beastly thing, like one of those big cavernous antique grandfather clocks with the curly hands, only mine has no hands and never strikes. It just ticks and tocks, and keeps me awake in the dark. This does not bode well for my health, and I may actually have to go to a doctor if it doesn't go away soon. Which is rather bad news for my wallet and I. We shall have to play the waiting game for a little while.

Nicholas has promised me a trip to the cinema this week to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which will hopefully cheer me up a little. A dose of Depp is good for what ails you.
I had better eat something, or I will get another stern telling-off from Plaz. The ire of a Squid-Man is a terrible thing to bring upon oneself.

Oh, and I just implemented the word verification feature on Blogger in an attempt to cut down the spamming that's been going on in the comments. It's a pain in the backside, yes, but it's better than having to wade through "You have an excellent blog! Here is a subject that interests many ##elephantine genitalia## Please check my website of ##elephantine genitalia##"

Currently reading:
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
Idlewild by Nick Sagan
Cocksure by Mordecai Richler

Mick

2005-09-04T00:18:00.000+10:00

So, within the space of a month and a bit, I've lost two friends to death by their own hands. What garbage. So, Micky, dear old chap, I wish you well and hope you're sleeping easy now. You broke your promise to me, but that's all right, because I am a forgiving sort and I already knew it was a promise that couldn't be kept. I'll miss your magic tricks, your hats, and your genuine nature.
Shut up, I know dead people don't use the internet. This is solely for my benefit.
Anyway, Mick, you'd be happy to know (if you could) that we all banded together tonight and got very drunk, and various people cried at various points, and we played Dark Side of the Moon for y'all. I suppose I'll see you (or at least, your coffin) on Wednesday, to say goodbye.

Big sigh, reeking of gin.

Devils, Masks, Funk...

2005-08-31T17:08:00.000+10:00

I do love letters to the editor. There was a most amusing example today in the local rag (Emerald Hill Weekly) in response to last week's edition, which featured Melbourne's favourite cantankerous priest - Father Bob Maguire - on the cover, sporting an AC/DC Highway To Hell shirt. I sincerely hope that the letter was meant as a joke, as religious fruitcakes give me the irrits, but even if it wasn't it gave me a chuckle. And I quote:

As a devout Catholic, I was mortified to see Father Bob Maguire wearing a Satanic T-Shirt on the cover of your magazine. To behold a man of the cloth - and such an elderly one, at that - done up like some plaything of the Devil himself positively turned my stomach.
It caused me as much offence as I imagine I'd feel if Jesus Christ, the Lord of Hosts, were depicted in fishnet stockings, a nappy and a shower cap.
Shame on your magazine! How dare you convince (however the Devil you did it) a messenger of the Lord to demean himself so appalingly!
May the Lord God Almighty rain pestilence and plague upon EHW.
-William Hill, Port Melbourne

Clearly this person is not familiar with Father Bob, a man very much having a mind of his own. Nor would they have read the interview with him, in which it is perfectly obvious that many of Father Bob's views are in conflict with those of the Catholic Church. I do like William's idea of a nappy fetish/Rocky Horror Jesus, though...

I have been writing a story. No, I will not post it when it is finished. It's not even on the computer yet. Yeah, how old-skool is that? It's tucked away in one of my Moleskine pocketbooks. Yes, I am a wanker. Seeing as I am recovered, I may hit the town tomorrow night to see the Sons of Lee Marvin. If not, I will still be out on the weekend, being productive for a change.
At least, I think it's this weekend...Scary Mask Saturday! Haglet and I are going to get stonkers and make scary masks during the day. Later that night we will be off to see Pablo Discobar doing their funky launch thing. Or "thang".

Also, I found this post-apoc comic via this post-apoc comic. The art is pretty in both. I really am a sucker for all things post-apocalypse.

Also, I am reading David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest. Which I will get back to now.

Statcounter camefrom:
yahoo.com/search?p=video girl take ipecac and vomit porn

Sick and Saw

2005-08-28T15:57:00.000+10:00

Been cooped up for almost a week at home, due to illness. Throat infection, which has turned into a head cold. Very pleasant, lots of fevers and phlegm, and nosebleeds. I made it to the SuicideGirls DVD launch on Thursday night, but left after the burlesque acts had done their thing. Mans Ruin were great, their CD skipped a couple of times, but they recovered in a manner most professional and their routines were very cute. As a result of being in a smoky packed bar all night, I managed to make my sickness twice as bad the next day.

So, not much news. I rented vids yesterday, and have been watching Saw today. It is rather bad, and I expected it to be. I described it to Plaz as having the film equivalent of erectile dysfunction, in response to his comment (without seeing film in question) that it seems to get good, but cannot maintain. It sure wanders a lot. I'm glad I didn't spend any more than $2.50 to watch it, let's just say that. The ending wasn't as cruddy as I had suspected it might be, but overall it was meh. I think I shall be giving the sequel (feat. Donnie Wahlberg!) a miss.
Oh, Leigh Whannell, whatever happened to that fresh-faced young movie reviewer with the bad ponytail I remember from Recovery on the ABC? Have you disappeared forever, a hammy actor in your place? Or did you just get too big for your clever little clogs? Or did you catch the syph from a groupie and go mad? Tsk, tsk.

I will be getting my Mac very soon! I rub my hands together gleefully and mop anticipatory saliva from my chin!

Zombie Ghost Train

2005-08-22T00:09:00.000+10:00

Zombie Ghost Train - Drummer
Originally uploaded by Char.

Because all of the best bands are zombie bands. Frankly, I'm amazed any of my photos turned out. I was mashed, and the crowd were jostling rather a lot.

The Classic Hits of Nine Inch Nails

2005-08-17T23:53:00.000+10:00

Yes: All your old favourites and more! What a great set they played! Opening with Wish was just about the best thing ever. They played much of their old stuff, which was great, and also (unexpectedly) their cover of Dead Souls. It was super-duper, and I got a T-shirt (it's pretty damn cool). Props to Z, he told me not to worry about paying him for my ticket. And I really did try to give him money several times, because I don't like to owe. But what can you do? I am extremely grateful. Extremely!

There was a lot of bitching about the fact that the GA section was partitioned - only 1200 people were allowed into the front section, which was rather shite, as there was plenty of space over there for more people, and as a result, the entire back section was jamming hard up against the barriers to get as close as possible. If they hadn't had the barriers, the GA crowd, per person, would have had more room to move about, and more air (air is useful for respiration). Yes, I was in the back section. The main gripe concerning the partition was to do with the fact that people had not been notified of it when they were purchasing their tickets. You'd think General Admission meant you could go anywhere you bloody liked on the floor. They didn't do it for Tool.

A shame they didn't do an encore, but something (an amp, possibly) blew up during the last song (was it Head Like A Hole? I can't remember right now) and the sound was suffering as a result. And respect to them, they played for about two hours, which I was very happy with indeed. Trent Reznor is looking pretty fit for a geezer, and watching him flick sweat from his face was rather sexy. Yes, indeed!

Soak

2005-08-14T16:47:00.000+10:00

Some of the kiddies at Soak: Randa, Tock, and Timmy.

Decided to actually leave the house and be social last night, a few of my chums were playing a gig at The Tote, and I bit the bullet and decided to go along, which turned out to be a good decision. Spoke to Terry about getting him into school to record stuff, spoke to Gary about the same thing, and to the Goon about the same. Yay for recording stuff.

It also turned out to be Jim's birthday (I suck at remembering these things) so after the gig, we trotted down to Soak, which was completely empty when we got there. It's a nice place, and they make a lot of highly lethal cocktails, as Jim found out. I had unwittingly eaten a "special" brownie on the way there, which probably accounted for some of my wastedness, the rest, however was G&T and some sickly Long Island Iced Tea. We also went for kebabs. And Jim shouted abuse at cars, which is not the most helpful thing a person can do when their friends are trying to flag down taxis, but was very entertaining.

Bed was good too. Ahem. Yet again with the morning sex. Why?! I must look very appealing at 7am, or something. Go figure.

Today, I went to Minotaur and picked up Y: The Last Man - Cycles. It'll be tops, I like that story.

That is all, I think. I probably really need a shower.

The Stench of Tension

2005-08-13T00:58:00.000+10:00

Yes, there is something brewing at home, and it's not a nice hot cup of tea. I have no other news, and I actually do not have a gammy leg.
Yes, I'm at home on a Friday night, sad bastard that I am. I just realised that Nine Inch Nails is this coming week, and I still have about 87% chance of going, and need to save up some funds. Sweaty General Admission area with lots of stinky people wearing PVC pants, here I come! I will take a fork to the concert and jab them in the eyes if they annoy me.

Apparently this is a symbol for genievre - the French name for juniper, and also a form of gin.

Sorry. I thought it was neat.

That's MY Air You're Breathing

2005-08-10T13:41:00.000+10:00

I really really really (feel free to insert "really" several more times) dislike it when somebody stands too close to me in a queue. It's disgusting, and should be made an offence punishable by a brick to the face. Supermarkets are particularly bad, as you can tell that the person behind you is ogling your shopping basket and making a face of disapproval at your bulk pack of prophylactics.
What? Safety and thriftiness are not meant to go together?

Why must they stand so close that I can see the gaping pores and the burst capillaries? Why must they steal my precious space?

Clearly I need to cover myself with telescopic steel spikes that shoot out when someone gets too near.

Colorado Is Go - Confirmed!

2005-08-10T00:42:00.000+10:00

Mother's been booking my flights. I'll be flying out of Melbourne on December 15th, and flying back out of the USA on January 3rd. I know it's still a while away, but...I dance multiple jigs of joy!
There's always a catch - she wants me to help her out with baking things. Which is fine, because I love baking anyway. Haha! All I will do is bake and drink vast amounts of gin! Yes, that's my kind of holiday.

My prints came in the mail today, so I can send some off to mother and grandma tomorrow. They turned out pretty good, actually. Better than expected. I wanted to take some more photos tonight, but it's cold, horrible and wet out. So that won't be happening because I'm a sissy-girl. Instead, I am going to make cheese sandwiches.

Faker

2005-08-08T16:36:00.000+10:00

Faker
Originally uploaded by Char.

After this morning's pathetic outburst, I thought I had better make it up to everyone by actually doing something productive. As I was walking home from school I felt like I might like to take some photos today, and I did! This is one, the rest are at my Flickr page.

Another Nothing Weekend

2005-08-08T06:26:00.000+10:00

After Friday's wretched display of alcohol abuse, the rest of the weekend has been frittered away on idleness.
At some point last night, I got a phone call from Haglet, informing me that she can't stop the bleeding from Friday. Silly girl. I will go to the cinema with her this week, as she is depressed from putting herself into various Bad Situations.

Also last night, Nicholas sent me a text message: "Emailed ya". Which turned out to be sad indeed:

...It has become disturbingly apparent to me that every email that I write is filled with small paragraph that describe on piece of my current life and then make some humorous observation about it. See I am doing it now. It scares me to think that as a letter writer I am about as original as a guy who spends his day quoting Seinfeld.

Bleer.

Please call

I miss you
Ha. I just read that “I miss you” in a tone that I didn’t write it in, and it sounds pathetic.

He worries from time to time that he's been replaced by a boyfriend. He should know better, really, because if I had one I'd spend a great deal of time calling him to fill him in on the gory details. I will try to have a drink with him this week.

Everyone seems to need me to hold their hand right now, and it sucks. I'm running out of hands, I'm running out of patience, and I'm running out of advice to give. Especially to that H-Girl, because she doesn't listen, and then later complains about not being warned.

Bad habits are beginning again. This constant nocturnal existence is having an impact. I'll have one normal day of waking up at a reasonable time, and going to bed at night, and then somehow it'll all go to hell and I'll be wide awake at the wrong time and sleeping in the afternoon. I feel terrible, and I have to push that back down. Time is not something that I want to waste any more of. Now is not the best time to feel terrible, especially when I can't find the root of the problem easily.

I'm going to go now, and cry at a stupid hour of the morning for no apparent reason.

Early Burnout

2005-08-06T06:20:00.000+10:00

Okay, I don't remember very much of the reunion at all. I got completely plastered by 7pm, and I'm still quite drunk despite the fact that I've been asleep for...quite a while. I don't know how I got home (didn't take any money), or how I got home with all my possessions. My hip is wrecked.

What I do remember:
-Swearing a lot.
-Seeing me old mate Scotty, he was always a decent chap and let me draw incessantly in his Chem book.
-Swearing a lot.
-Breaking many glasses.
-Swearing a lot.
-Making fun of the finger food.
-Throwing up in the toilet, and swearing a lot while doing so.

That's about it. So I've been awake for the past hour, lying in the dark and bellowing into my pillow for no apparent reason. Though I am hungry, and I wouldn't mind a gin.

Statcounter:
I could really go a kebab right now...
websearch.com/results.aspx?aus=1&qkw=doner kebab power cutting knife

Colorado Is Go

2005-08-05T14:04:00.000+10:00

Yep! Confirmed plans with mother today, and I'll be jetting over to cowboy country come mid-December, and staying a few days into 2006. Uncle Mike will be joining us for Christmas, which will be nice as I haven't seen him since...well, I can't remember. I have declined the offer of a Disneyland jaunt. Been there, done that, was quite horrific. Mother is going to feed me a lot of alcohol, by the sounds of it.

Not looking forward to dealing with their gigantic (and very friendly) Labradors. Dogs and I do not a happy home make. These ones are bigger than I am, and fat, and they like to run and jump. Being small and a weakling, this usually results in me falling over and having to hide my face from slobber-mouths.

Somebody give me a list of neat things to do in Colorado, preferably near Boulder. I've been to that hotel which was The Overlook in The Shining. Seen some bison, or whatever those lumbering shaggy things were. I demand things!

Statcounter:
Erm...
google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=serial-rapist melbourne&meta=

Rapid Sauce

2005-08-05T03:51:00.000+10:00

Right, so, I've gotten over Jus's death about as much as I can at present. It's put me in a big muddy ditch this week and I missed class and have yet again screwed up my sleep cycle.

The reunion is tomorrow. Or, if one wants to get technical, tonight. Certainly not in much of a mood to be going, but I will, if only to sponge alcohol.

Buttons came in the mail! These ones are my favourites:

Mother is back from Miami, which "was hell", and she's going to call later this morning to start organising my jaunt to Boulder. I abhor air travel, but by the time December rolls around, I can imagine I'll want to get out of Melbourne for a little while. It had better snow for me this time, last time I felt rather cheated. It didn't snow until the day I was leaving, and my plane got snowed in which led to horrifying dramas when I got to LAX to make my connection. Just picture me sprinting between terminals, pushing a trolley with luggage on it, two lit cigarettes hanging out of my mouth, screaming "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!"
Probably an everyday occurrence at LAX, but it was most unpleasant to do.

What else...I've booked my ticket to see Fantômas at The Palace. That'll be superfunhappytime.
I also ordered some prints of photos I've taken, to send to both mother and grandmamma, and I should have a couple of spares as well. I hope they come out okay, I should be getting them in the mail either tomorrow or early next week.

New favourite link is Language Is A Virus, which is full of fun tools and some good articles.

From Statcounter (I had to cut a lot of bits out of this):
dashbar.com/search?=Keywords%3Dfilthy%2520fuckers%26xargs%

Jussy

2005-08-02T03:38:00.000+10:00

Rest easy, Jus. I'm sorry I didn't know you better, and I really hope you've found the peace you didn't get from life. You were a really sweet and funny guy, always a pleasure to see, and we'll all miss you very much. I remember when we went to the hedge maze, we put flowers in your hair, and tried to marry you to your boyfriend, and you looked beautiful.

Goodbye, dear.

Pleasing Astonishment

2005-08-01T13:41:00.000+10:00

I get holidays! I didn't think I'd get holidays, save for a week over Christmas. I get three and a bit weeks! Which means that I may possibly get a trip over to see mother in wintry CO.

My house might explode, I got home to find a gigantic leak coming from the main thing outside, and it stinks, and I probably shouldn't take a cigarette anywhere near it.

Also, we were talking about Edison in class, and it made me think of these.

Timewasting Fun

2005-07-31T19:01:00.000+10:00

ArtPad is fun, go look at a crappy picture I made there! The only downside is that you can't download the picture you made, but other than that it's pretty neat, and you get to see others being painted before your very eyes.
Um, that's all I've got for you today. I'll do some more crappy pictures, if you demand them.

So...Clarification

2005-07-30T15:43:00.000+10:00

A friend of mine recently tried to shed light on why it is that, in comparison to my only female friend, I seem to have difficulty finding a lad. What he said made no sense whatsoever (to me, anyway) and I've been trying to work it out for two weeks now. Anyway, the short conversation went something like this:

F: You see, you're unavailable.
Me: Huh? No, I'm not.
F: Yes, you are. H-Girl makes herself available, you see?
Me: What? No, she doesn't! She's always taken.
F: No, no, but she makes herself available.
Me: Erm...
F: Okay, I'll put it another way. H-Girl is easy. Not as in EASY-easy, but easy.
Me: What?! H-Girl is a princess and a brat, and in no way easy! I'M easy!
F: No, you're not!
Me: I don't understand!!!!
F: Okay. How else can I put it...?
Me: Shut up! I'm going to get another gin!

Yeah. Either it's really obvious, or a highly cryptic riddle that will remain unsolved for many years. I'm not even that concerned with the subject matter any more, I just want the damn thing deciphered.

I Drew On An Abbatoir Worker

2005-07-30T05:12:00.000+10:00

And I took a picture! Here it is:

Yes, the stick figure man is holding a martini. I blame it on Kingdom of Loathing. Sorry about the blur factor, I was just the tiniest bit drunk. I really wish I had pizza right now, and could walk down to the supermarket to get some, but it's 5am and a bit brisk outside. Toast it shall be!

Wow, this blog has been getting heavy on the photos lately. No, I'm not complaining, just making a lazily obvious observation of a recent trend.
Wait...does that make sense? I sure hope so.

Drooling And Other Hobbies

2005-07-29T03:52:00.000+10:00

I got bored while I was sitting here drooling and whitening my teeth, so I took a picture and buggered about with it in Photoshop. I don't like it, but at least you can't see the drool. The whitening goo tastes a whole lot like semen, and is probably worse for your teeth.

Post-posting edit(s): Migawd! Look how amazingly huge my stupid pixie ear is!
This nearly made me spit my goo, as gross as that sounds.
I also realised that posting "tastes like semen" is probably going to haunt me on Statcounter. Dang!

Bit Byte Beat

2005-07-28T16:10:00.000+10:00

Sent in my photo and heart rate to Bit Byte Beat, which is a local aleatoric music project. Here's more info from co-creator Oscar Kaiser:

“A mathematical algorithm is created on the heart rates of the people you select. Each time you select a photo, a line of music is added to the soundscape at the tempo of that person’s heart rate. You can add and remove instruments as often as you like. Similar heartbeat rates will create more consonant music while careless interaction will eventually generate cacophony.

“The music will always be different even if you have the same picture six times in a row, day in, day out. Someone who does the same thing on a different computer will also get a different result as the date time of the computer will help create a different algorithm,” he said.

Mr Kaiser said that all the ‘compositions’ can be monitored electronically. “Bit Byte Beat captures forever what it means to be a member of the Port Phillip community in 2005. While the music will be generated by individuals, we hope to create a sense of common voice and unity. Simultaneously, we hope to demystify the process of music composition and creation, making it accessible to everyone in the community. The most interesting soundscapes might end up on CD.”

The website will be kept up from six months to a year. “While aimed at the Port Phillip community, the website is obviously anyone who wants to join in from anywhere in the world. All you need is a pic, pulse rate and a computer with an internet connection,” Mr Kaiser said.

It's just such a damn cute idea!

Mari-chan

2005-07-27T16:26:00.000+10:00

"Menstrual Dreamer" by Mari-chan.
Very strange.

Healthy, Natural Sleep

2005-07-27T13:38:00.000+10:00

So, I'm rested after being awake for at least fifty hours straight. That was pretty fun, though, and I was surprised at how coherent I was. Sort of. I hope. (Was I?)
I've made an eleventh-hour booking for my high school reunion. It's only two hours, and I plan to be drunk before I get there (a pre-established method of coping with all school functions). The H-Girl will be coming, if she can peel herself away from her disgusting boyfriend. She suggested fixing me up with one of his allegedly cute friends, and I just told her "sorry, I don't do old balls", which was all I could think of to say after being woken up at 2am. That gun-toting gin-buddy of mine is also coming, so I'll hide in his cashmere coat if things get too scary. Perhaps I will take some photos. Of the floor. And of the lining of the coat.

Whatever will I wear?! No, I really don't care...

Mother just said she's going to confirm her Australia visit dates when she's back from Miami. She's aiming for the third week of September, which isn't as long a wait as I'd expected. If that's what happens, anyway. There's a point when all you can do is just smile and nod and say "mm-hmm".

Sporadic Statcounter Came-From:
Um...
technorati.com/search/necrophilia?start=40

Online IQ Testing Is Hilarious!

2005-07-26T02:11:00.000+10:00

Yes, I did one just now, while I am completely wiped out and sleep-starved. The result is hilarious!

Your IQ score is 131

Your Intellectual Type is Insightful Linguist. This means you are highly intelligent and have the natural fluency of a writer and the visual and spatial strengths of an artist. Those skills contribute to your creative and expressive mind. (Blah blah blah.)

The laughter is undying!!! I want to take it again when I've rested, I bet the score will be lower. This will further support my theory that the less sleep I have, the better my brain works!
Ahhh, it's funny because IQ tests (especially online ones) are a load of shite!
Wow, I probably should sleep.

I did have something else to write about, but it's gone now. Along with my motor skills, balance, and perception of what is real.
A state otherwise known as are the curtains really trying to attack me, and if yes, can I move enough to escape their clutches?

No, I can't! Help!

6am update: I just hit 10,000, woohoo! Let's have a party and throw confetti, and sing 'Auld Lang Syne'.

Accidental Date

2005-07-25T19:24:00.000+10:00

"Whoa" as that horrendous block-of-wood famous person says. I think I went on a date by accident. With someone whom I have no interest in whatsoever. Oopsy-daisy, says I. It was just supposed to be a cup of hot chocolate, but I think someone (no, not me, foolish ones) may have had other ideas. Again with the oopsy-daisy. Lucky I am stand-offish and shouty!
Nobody wants the stand-offish, shouty, small and annoying type! Victory shall be mine!

I got a card from my grandmamma today, and with it came three photographs of my dear little cousins. I have still yet to meet them, but I send them presents at Christmastime anyway, in an attempt to corrupt them from afar. Their parents are born-again Christians, you see, and I feel it is in my duty to rescue them. Or at least rescue the oldest one, as he is the most adorable and has taken a keen interest in poisons and death.

Awakenessnessnessyougetthepicture

2005-07-25T11:31:00.000+10:00

I've been awake for a bit too long. Hooray! I had sandwiches for breakfast, which was a great idea at the time, yet most regrettable now. My stomach is clearly not accustomed to eating so early in the day. And I have to go to lunch soon, gurgle!
Dinosaur Comics makes me laugh aplenty. Especially the uber-silly ones.
Horrorpops this weekend, huzzah! I hope it's fun, it sounds like it will be fun.
Er...
Oh! Look at that chick in the post below this one! Wowser, what a looker she is! And has a striped scarf, to boot! How totally rad must she be?! Yeah! (I hear she's "available", lads!)

...it's funny 'cos it's me...and also depressing for same reason...

Me, drunk at 2am

2005-07-24T02:47:00.000+10:00

Me, drunk at 2am
Originally uploaded by Char.

On the walk home, hooray for me!

On Bread

2005-07-22T00:58:00.000+10:00

A thought (albeit idiotic, and I apologise) occurred to me just now, while I was in the kitchen spreading honey onto my toast...
Has anyone written a recipe book of creative uses for bread? None of this fancy brioche, either, I'm talking your average loaf of supermarket white sliced.
It's only because every couple of weeks, my food intake consists of little else, usually because I've blown my dosh on alcohol and/or comics. Toast with honey, toast with peanut butter, toast with jam, plain toast (after a big night), Milo sprinkled on buttered toast, and very occasionally (because it is the most revolting substance on Earth) Vegemite on toast.
Two of the more obvious things one can make with bread are French Toast (artery-hardening yet delicious) and Bread-And-Butter Pudding (which is a disgusting concept that I have yet to try). Sandwiches are fine, but after a day, the loaf starts turning awful and not very tasty to eat 'raw'. Surely this is not all. I have a new mission.

I'd bake my own bread, but there's a shameful lack of decent cookware in my kitchen. I was better equipped when I was out of home. They don't even have a flat baking sheet, dammit. Or a good-sized loaf tin. Or even a casserole dish, the most basic and essential of oven dishes. Shut up, I know I've bitched about this before...I hate not being able to go on my 15-hour baking binges.

More incidents in London. You wankers, you couldn't even build the damn things to go off properly this time. Round of applause for undermining yourselves. England blows a raspberry at you and continues on, as always.

Big Fat Mike

2005-07-21T01:10:00.000+10:00

Allow me to get a bit geeky for a bit here...
So I've had a couple of extended days at school this week, playing around in the new recording space (which we get all to ourselves), and figuring out the d8b console (a pain, but meh, I'll live). As well, I got to play with the fat-arse microphone pictured, an SE Gemini, which is a dual-valve. We used it on a kick drum as an external, and it picked up a lot of the punch that the D112 missed, as well as adding some extra beef and a nice bit of room sound. I also used it on the back of a Marshall cab, off-axis on the bottom right speaker, and that blended very nicely with the mics that were on the front, though I think it worked best with the battered-looking Sennheiser MD441, leaving the SM57 out of the mix. Didn't need compression, and barely needed EQ, and most importantly it sounded well cool. So that was fun. The new space isn't too bad. One of the iso booths could probably do with a bass trap, there's a nasty bit of resonance going on in there. Drums sounded pretty rank in there, but that's okay because we have a separate drum booth anyway. Goody-goody gumdrops. Geekiness subsides now...a little bit, anyway.

I've switched over from Gaim to Trillian, cos Trillian is purdy. Downloaded a skin called Bored. which is a whole lot sexier than it sounds. Nice and black and industrial-looking. What else...? I stumbled upon a webcomic which everyone probably already knew about (I'm always the last to find out about Internet things) and read all the way through to current, because it was a silly time of morning and it was keeping me amused. I suggest that if your sensibilities are delicate, you probably shouldn't look (they do give the chance to escape on the front page). It's bawdy, there's necrophilia, bukkake, tentacles, etc. All in fun cartoon form, yay! Tongue-in-cheek? Yeah, that too...ahar-har-har.

hee-hee, more Statcounter joy:
www.mamma.com/Mamma?search=Mamma&query=Watching Wife Fuck Toyboy
and I have no idea what the heck this is:
search.t1msn.com.mx/results.aspx?cp=1252&&q=Nutri Lunch Bimbo
Nutri Lunch?! Yes, I did click on it, but it didn't enlighten me one bit.
However: search.yahoo.com/search?p=tiger balm masturbation
YES!!!! We have another one! Keep wanking, you fiend...

Sonic Fabric

2005-07-18T17:11:00.000+10:00

Right here, oh yeah. I want it. Lots of it.

Sonic fabric emits sound when you run a tape head (the little thingy inside the
tape deck that touches the tape) over it. Because the tape retains its magnetic
quality through the weaving process, it acts as a big wide band of tape.

Just picture a roomful of people wearing this stuff, wandering around and stroking each other with tape heads.

Love Sin

2005-07-14T23:34:00.000+10:00

Honestly, I nearly cried, I liked Sin City that much. Managed to get an early uncrowded session at 11:50am.

Went into the city and bought Desolation Jones #2, and Seven Soldiers: The Guardian #3. Rawk.

Massive respect to Brian for pushing me up to a Flickr Pro account. I suppose I better take some more damn photos, then. Maybe I'll even get good.

New Strategy
Originally uploaded by Char

On a side note...people seem to keep finding my blog by typing "hickies" into a search engine. The shame.
Also: search?fr=ybr_bt&y=y&p=sexy%20teacher%20stockings%20naughty%20spank
and
search?cat=vid&cs=iso88591&q=arm rips off&rys=0&itag=crv
At least the tiger-balm-masturbation crowd seem to have quietened down. For the moment, anyway.

Thankyouse, and Other Things

2005-07-14T01:37:00.000+10:00

Just a tiny little list of thankyous from Monday to Wednesday of this week...nothing important, but it's nice to share the love sometimes.

To the tram driver last night for lying to a group of 77 children by saying the tram didn't go past the aquarium (it did).
To the cute comic book store guy, for finding Walking Dead vol. 3 for me, and chatting to me about it. You're cute, and though I don't normally go to your store...I may just have to revisit. Minotaur comic staff don't like conversing with the common public.
To Samsa, for coming to the movies with me today.
To dad, for giving me a LOT of electronics stuff to play with, as well as my own big fuck-off metal toolbox.
To the H-Girl, for having lunch with me today and generally making me thankful that I don't have a line of lads chasing me. Especially not ones that are 35 and have two children...ahemmm...

Excitement, I will finally get to see Sin City tomorrow. I hope it lives up to my lofty expectations. I've been holding out so long, while everyone I know has been shitting me with their "I got a pirate copy so I watched it already" spiel. Fuck you, I want my first experience of a movie such as this to be full of grandeur (or "event bigness", which is a terrifyinly stupid new term used by commercial TV). Not to mention most of them haven't even laid eyes on the books, so...pffft, I say!

Oh, the other night, I bought a sausageload of comics off Khepri. Stoopid, stoopid, stoopid. On the upside, I will get a nice box of goodies in a few weeks and then I won't regret it at all. They were just so cheap, even with the exchange rate and shipping...I couldn't restrain myself.

I've started reading Slaughtermatic by Steve Aylett, and am quite enjoying it. Judging from the Amazon reviews, it's given a number of headaches to various people, which leads me to believe that maybe just reading gives them headaches. While the plot's a bit liquidy, the snazzy language suckers me right in, and it's fun. It cost $2, and at the moment it's proving to be some damn good value for money. Hardback, too...tasty.

Breeders

2005-07-11T23:42:00.000+10:00

Well, Dad's girlfriend's daughter has popped one out, a baby girl. Disgusting. Not impressed or amused.
So, I ask, does she have a name yet?
Penelope.
Dull, as I should really have anticipated from that pair of vacant lots. I didn't even know what to say, just sort of slithered backwards into my room.
Now, I'm not one to appreciate really awful "unusual" names, such as Apple, but surely we can come up with something better? I don't expect anything on a par with Moxie CrimeFighter (best...name...ever, thankyou Penn Jillette), or Moon Unit (which I personally think is a lovely name), but TRY for something with a little sparkle to it!
Penelope. Penny. Lopey. Pen.
Boring, sorry.
It could be worse. It could be one of those normal names but spelled in an incredibly obnoxious way. Like "Kyryysztalllle". Snort. "The fourth 'l' is silent!" Double snort.
Admittedly, girl-baby names are generally more awful than boy-baby names, and therefore more difficult to choose. However, seeing as we already have Cameron, Drew, Sean, etc as perfectly acceptable girl-baby names...
How about Felix? Or Megatron? Or Boris? Theodore? Chuck? Bruce? Chewbacca?
Okay, I know...getting silly. Though Megatron would be a great name for a little girl.
I hear you out there, hoping that I never breed. Maybe I will, just to spite you all. Populate the world with scary children who are given silly names that are totally inappropriate.
That, or score a job at the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and change all the records. If only.

London Explosions 2

2005-07-08T03:43:00.000+10:00

Updating from the last post, in which I expressed fear for my uncle, here's my brief messenger conversation with mum, who just got off the phone with him:

Mum: well Mike is okay.. but what's amazing... he goes into London most days to that exact station where the bomb went off
Me: fuuuuuuck
Mum: today he needed to be at home
Me: thankfully!
Mum: he said he nearly had heart failure
Mum: the client he is working for right now has their office right at that station
Mum: he said he could easily have been on that tube
Mum: he was on it at that time yesterday
Me: enough to make you feel nauseous just thinking about it.
Mum: I know... Jesus
Mum: he said he felt pretty sick about it

urrrgh. I'm glad he's okay, and that he didn't have to go to work.

EDIT: Had to post this link; A Letter To The Terrorists, From London.

London Explosions

2005-07-08T00:00:00.000+10:00

Shit, shit, shit. My heart goes out to London and anyone who was or had a loved one involved in this. My uncle is over there, he moved back a few weeks ago. I don't know how I can even find out if he's okay. Both the attacks and the many possible consequences frighten me.
And I really hope that these people, whoever they are, aren't organised enough to pull off a whole series of these in more countries. One attack is one too many, no matter which side you're on.
Especially when the people who die have nothing to do with anything, they're just everyday people trying to earn a crust, or going to school, or visiting friends.
Pisses me right off.

This makes me cry:

JACK LINTON, 14, ALDGATE

There was a massive explosion, smoke and flames. My carriage must have been two away from where it was.

Everybody got on the floor. Then eventually the smoke cleared and we managed to open the central doors down the train to go to the back of it before they walked us along the track past the train to the station.

The middle of the train was blown out and there were people on the track.

I've got glass in my hair and my pockets and my ear hurts.

SG Hookup #2

2005-07-07T01:48:00.000+10:00

'Kay, so I had my second SuicideGirls hookup tonight at Cherry, that was good for a nice quiet drink and bitch about new music sucking. Not much else is new. My friends have apparently scored the Horrorpops support slot for the Melbourne show, along with H-Block 101, which is tidy on their part. On the other hand, maybe they just lied. I can't be held responsible if they did.

Mother is sending me some Chameleon Slams so I can have a bash at Parkour, which I've been meaning to get into for some months now. Once my body gets over the initial shock of exercise, it should be swell. And at the moment the only shoes I own are Doc Marten boots, in various modes. The grip on my 10-ups has almost worn away, I give it another year before they're going to have a little funeral in the backyard. And yes, I will cry. Then get another pair to break in.

Ebay Messages is quite strange, I've discovered. Some buyer that I had keeps messaging me about five times a day about gaming tips, and which games he owns, and have I played Blah? I'd tell him to piss off but he owes me feedback still. Slightly annoying. He can't spell, either. Not sure which aspect peeves me more.

Um, two people have sent me this, so props to Smartypants and Plasmatron-7 for linkage to The Freesound Project. If you're an audio fiend and haven't found this yet, you'll probably like it.

Here is a pickature of me tonight, as I type away at the comp. I am drunk and have burned my mouth on pizza, yet look relatively content.

Post-post edit: By the way, some odd conversation vein occurred at the SG hookup and I thought I'd have to look into it. Hufu. Human-flavoured tofu. All I have to say is..."I Can't Believe It's Not People!"
I recommend reading the Hufu FAQ, it's rather chortlesome. Example:

Where can I buy real human flesh?
Sorry, we can't help you. For better or for worse, the practice of cannibalism is frowned upon in today's modern industrial democratic societies. The purchase and consumption of human flesh is almost certainly illegal where you live.

Drunkenblog #100000000000

2005-07-05T02:48:00.000+10:00

Yes, I'm drunk on a Monday, I realise it is stupid. I had my first (and last) probie shift of new job tonight, and I quit halfway through because it was literally making me ill. The only conclusion that can be drawn from that experience is that I am allergic to telesales, just like I am allergic to church (makes me break out in a rash and pass out).
The Hunter (those who have read back ages ago will know who I mean) called me and invited me around for drinks and I went and had lots of free G&Ts and did naughty things which I didn't mean to do but felt like doing anyway. I seem to remember a camera...damn that man. We decided that we will both go to the 5-year school reunion and make nasty remarks about everyone. Because they are wankers, and whilst The Hunter and I are wankers to a certain extent, at least we can admit it.
The Hunter is a strange man. I still don't know whether I should like him or be appalled by him. Though he likes New Order as much as I do. And I enjoy listening to him rabble on about utter shite.

End Drunkenblog. Ohhh, me brain. I have uni in the morning. It's morning now. Bugger.

Looking Up (Cautiously)

2005-07-01T16:56:00.000+10:00

Mokay, so I had my last interview for the week this afternoon. I get probed (put on probation, rather) next Monday and Tuesday nights, then if all goes well, four hours every weeknight from then on. Not too bad, I guess.
I also forfeited my 2 slices of dollar pizza (also the last $2 in my wallet) to get a wristband for the first worldwide action day for MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY. Here it is:

Huzzah! Solidarity!

Storming City

2005-06-30T14:35:00.000+10:00

Had to go into town today for Lousy Job Interview (which I feel I probably have sabotaged for myself by letting my real personality come through...thank you, computerised 100-page questionnaire), which turned out to be a bit painful due to a big old worker's rights protest going on.

I wish I'd seen this part:

One marcher held up a large doll, wearing a fairy costume and a John Howard mask, prompting calls of "Burn, Johnny, burn'' from the crowd.

Another interview tomorrow. Might go slightly better, fingers crossed. And I hope there isn't a protest on this time. Bless their blue collars, but I don't like it when my tram is late. Does this make me scum?

Ah...I'm scum anyway. In the nicest sense of the word. Scum like the skin on a hot batch of custard.

I bought comics while I was cowering from the crowds - The Walking Dead Vol 2 and some other thing.

Leave Me With Nothing

2005-06-26T23:56:00.000+10:00

This never happens to me, and the disapproval rating is huge. I fell in love for 15 seconds with a random boy I don't know who stood next to me at the crosswalk in the city today, and I need to get it off my chest.
Damn his sideburns and messy (but not too-long) hair. Damn his black-on-black-on-black ensemble, which I normally don't approve of on young lads. Damn his apparently homemade "Whip it good" shirt. Damn his leather jacket with a n Punisher-esque (but not?!) skull painted on the back. Damn his chunky headphones. Damn his cigarette-handling skills. And last of all, damn his scallywag sidelong glances.

Okay, I think I'm done.
Screw you, city boy. You make me feel all gooshy and leave me with nothing.

That feels much better.

Ahem.

Bathday!

2005-06-20T11:50:00.000+10:00

Yes, I had a quiet Monday birthday, went to see Batman Begins with the H-girl. The sound was mad. Much awesomeness. Gary Oldman was fab. Christian Bale was beefy, nice to see he packed on the pounds after The Machinist. I got no presents, but that's dandy. Plenty of birthday wishes, which is always nice.

Had a wild Saturday night, which I've only just recovered properly from today - big big party at the Laundromat (boys' house), I talked a lot of shit, danced with one of the Poker Knights boys, apologised to a lot of people for being such a cold bitch all the time. Let's hear it for pills that knock you for six! Didn't go to bed until about 7:30am (bless the drug-addled stamina of youth) and I totally scored "man-bits" from a source which I had previously thought to be unlikely. But there you go. It was a blast, The Suns turned up. Hell yeah. Was very scattered yesterday, didn't get home until about 10pm, dodged a call from an ex.

I'm trying to come to terms with an awkward situation at the moment. It's all very delicate, and worrying. What's worse is that it's not in the open and I really suck at confrontation. Fark. If you're reading this, Person Who Remains Nameless, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm not angry, I'm just concerned that people may get hurt.
Sigh. It's always bloody me, isn't it?

Gig on Friday (I think...?). Should be tidy, hopefully more man-bits. Bwahaha.

Utterly Cool Steampunk Street Performance

2005-06-16T16:20:00.000+10:00

Royal de Luxe 2005

Why can't things this cool happen in Melbourne? Or even an eighth as cool? I'm so jealous.
Sigh.

Suicide Girls

2005-06-15T01:53:00.000+10:00

Got home from the SucideGirls Melbourne hookup a little while ago, was jolly good fun. I shall put a couple of pix up on Flickr. The cab driver prattled on to me for ages and I had to pee, but he was going on and on about his life story, and God, and all that, and I thought it would be rude to interrupt purely for the sake of my bladder. Anyway, I am rather sleepy and grog-soaked. Here is a pickature just for you:

Oh, my. I will probably take this down when I have sobered up, so relish it while it lingers!

Gonzo Imperial Porter

2005-06-13T17:14:00.000+10:00

Seeing as how Mother Dearest lives near Denver, I shall make her visit Flying Dog. And buy me things. So many things. She said she would do a shop stop there. I bet it's because she wants stuff from there too. It's cos my mum rules. The beer sounds pretty good, too. Not that I'm any sort of aficionado.

Chop!

2005-06-11T15:08:00.000+10:00

So...I didn't go frock-shopping, and thank goodness for that. Thought I should recheck my wardrobe in case another dress had grown in there, and it had! OMG WTF?!!? as the kiddies say.
Well, no, it hadn't, but I'd forgotten about it and it'll do just dandy.

Still had to leave the house, and go buy Ratsak to kill this smart little mousie that's been running around avoiding the traps. Poor wee mousie.

Today, it shall be The Cutting of the Hair. There are few things more satisfying than hacking off uneven chunks of your own hair, and then washing all the itchy bits off your neck afterwards.

Here I am, amazingly zombified by Kingdom of Loathing.

Probably not, actually. Nobody needs to look that worried when playing KoL.

Really shouldn't be going out tonight, woke up feeling all phlegmy and horrible. As long as I look okay, it'll be dandy.

Outwards, ho!

2005-06-10T10:59:00.000+10:00

Today I'm off shopping for a frock for this darn themed housewarming. So it's Prahran all the way, baby, which is incredibly annoying to get to from where I am but there are a ton of op-shops. Provided I can resist the lure of JB Hi-Fi, Comics R Us, and Chapel Tattoo, I will be fine, money-wise. Also need to buy gin. Shall see if I can remember to take my digicam to the party and garner some happy snaps.

Prepping myself for a Sixteen Candles-style birthday - I have reason to believe that dad has completely forgotten. Firstly, he hasn't asked what I want yet, and it's just over a week away so he's cutting it mighty fine. Secondly, he's going up to Sydney and won't be back until late night of said birthday. Ah, well. These things happen.

It's okay though, yesterday the H-girl called me and we made plans to go see Batman Begins and get stonkers, so at least I'll be out of the house and not feeling sorry for myself. Monday birthdays are utter bollocks. Batman should be jolly, though. It looks jolly. Not like the last few el crappo ones.

Off I go, before it gets too late in the day. Fingers crossed for frock-shopping.

Sick, Dammit

2005-06-09T03:20:00.000+10:00

Some bastard has given me a headcold and my nose is runny and I feel quite sorry for myself at the moment. However, at 3:30am, I have found the thing that made my day.

SOURCE

Title: We3
Log Line: Three household pets are stolen by the government and turned into armor-suited killers by a clandestine military program. The lethal trio of pets escape just prior to being "decommissioned" and decide to find their way home with the government in hot pursuit.
Writer: Grant Morrison (author)
Agent: n/a
Buyer: New Line Cinema
Price: n/a
Genre: Comedy
Logged: 6/8/05
More: DC Comics’ comic book. Susan Montford, Rick Benattar and AngryFilms’ Don Murphy will produce. New Line is in negotiations with author Morrison to write the screenplay as well.

Apologies In Advance

2005-06-08T02:11:00.000+10:00

My ear is so very manky right about now. Probably should stop picking at it. Sorry, felt like sharing that glorious piece of information. No, I have not taken a photo of Manky Ear, you have nothing to fear. But cross me, and thou shalt pay through the eyeballs and be made to watch 6-Second Abs infomercials for all eternity. Bed calls.

Bank Bastards

2005-06-07T17:05:00.000+10:00

I've run a little into debt without realising, so stuff of mine is going on ebay to help me clear it. Otherwise Westpac will come knocking on my door, and they frighten me.

Go have a look at this: The machine that can copy anything
As long as it doesn't get hooked on drugs like Spider's maker in Transmet...we may yet be safe.
I reckon I want one, and it looks like the design is going to be open-sourced, so better yet - I could make one.

Pretty neat.
Nothing very interesting happened to me today. How disappointing.

Driver Jam

2005-06-06T14:19:00.000+10:00

Bedroom wants cleaning.
There is a themed housewarming on the weekend that requires an outfit to be bought. Not impressed by this. Granted, it will only be something from an op-shop, but still. And it has to be formal-ish. Yes, the theme is "Op-shop Formal", which is all very easy for the lads given the amount of cheap suits you can find secondhand. But try finding a halfway decent frock (or even an ugly frock which could pass for decent if you ripped some frills off) that is the right size and doesn't smell like old lady. My grandma smells nice, why can't other grandmas? The rotting flesh, I suppose, does get a bit whiffy. A bit on the nose. Aromatic.

Back at uni today, and piezoelectric speakers were explained, amongst other things. It wasn't very interesting, and one of the few girls in the class felt the need to ask what the word "copious" means.
Idiot. At least now I know I'm not the stupid one. Or perhaps the copious amount of makeup she wears has leaked copious amounts of chemical nasties into her brain. Causing copious ignorance of vocabulary.
Sorry. Like I'm such a great example of language use. I'm not, but the point is that someone in their twenties who finished high school in a developed country really should know something like that. It's a worry, though probably a great indicator of what is yet to come.

Char wash plate now. Wash plate good. Make dirty into clean. Uggga-ug.
*grunts and drags knuckles on ground, Quest For Fire-style*

Skinny Wants A Piece

2005-06-05T19:56:00.000+10:00

Was going to blog when I got home this morning, but after a brief chat with mum online my delicate eyes had been ruined enough by the screen and I decided to go to bed instead. Now I'm hungry and a little peeved.

Last night's gig was pretty damn good, gig-wise. Unfortunately it was way too loud in the front bar and pretty much intolerable for anyone without a five-year wax buildup in their ears. I did catch a little of The Suns, and Bagster, and (sadly) a few seconds of Area 7 but it would have been aural suicide to stay out there for very long. My buddies played one of their best gigs and the crowd were very much into it, so good for them. I believe they were all spurred on by the sight of lesbian junkies going at it.

As for myself (because really, it's all about me), there were some run-ins involved. That creepy skinny guy was there and pretty much held me hostage the whole damn night, and I have reason to believe he bit me on the ear in what I am guessing he thought was either an affectionate gesture or a big turn-on. Silly person. Though he did come in handy when my Horrible Ex (not The Geek, the one before) showed up and I had to hide in a big hurry, and he bought me many G&Ts. But he talks utter shite and now it has become obvious even to me (who is mostly oblivious to such things) that Skinny wants a piece.
Fat chance. Fortunately he is going to England for a few weeks, so I will be safe for a wee while. He said he wanted to take me home and put me in a cupboard. Coming from anyone else, I would find this a little endearing. It was just disturbing.
Also had a run-in with someone I had a brief fling with a few weeks back, which wasn't as painful as I thought it would be, just a brief, civilized chat about what up to, etc. So that was fine. Though I have the feeling that I gave him a blank look when he came over. Oops. Sorry, my crunchy little snow pea, but Char was ever-so-slightly off her tits and momentarily forgot you.
Then I had to stage an escape from Samsa's little brother, who chased me around trying to pinch my face while his poor girlfriend was holding an ice pack to her head wound.
I also met a young man who calls himself Winston (as in Winston Smith) though that is not his name. He disappeared, probably for the better.

Ended up at the laundromat with 3 pizzas, which was rather good. Then left at about 4am with Samsa and his pusher and watched them both shove sickly-looking amphetamine up their schnozzers and play darts. Actually, the darts was quite enjoyable. And I did get a large glass of Baileys, Tia Maria, butterscotch schnapps and milk out of it. A tasty 'dessert' indeed.

Reading The Age on Friday, it occurred to me that the captions chosen for The Adventures of Naked Man have really become quite poor in quality. There is so much potential in those pictures, and while I don't think I could come up with anything particularly witty, surely someone out there in Melbourne-land can.

That's it out of me for now. I'm wide awake despite the lack of coffee in my system. But I'm hungry and haven't got anything substantial to eat, only Scotch Finger biscuits and Cheetos left over from the recording session.

Overnighters Are Ruinous

2005-06-04T09:57:00.000+10:00

And yet so beneficial. We are gradually getting better at this recording stuff. My brain is tired and cold. We got 5 (?it's sort of a blur, really) songs done. No vocals as the singer had food poisoning (bad tuna mornay). Sleep is needed right now. I don't think I can achieve such luxury with big machines clanking across the road in the wastelands. The house is shaking. Wheee! I love living in an industrial sector. Thank you, padre, for renting a shitty house in a shitty location when you can afford better. It keeps me grounded and an insomniac. So very grateful, with not an ounce of sarcasm.
Did you buy a poker table yet? You better have. Or I will put the hex on your offspring. See me give the evil eye? Yes, you are frightened.
And if you have no offspring as of yet, I put the hex on your ovaries or testes or whatever other reproductive organs you may possess. My hexes know not the bounds of gender, bwahaha!

Okay, I'm about ready for that sleep right now. Many apologies, I'm sure.
Smile, and have a happyhappyhappy day/night.

Oh, dear...I'm going out tonight...if I wake up in time. We shall see. Toodle-oo.

Poke...Poke...Poker

2005-06-03T23:08:00.000+10:00

A while back I mentioned a poker game and the marvellous custom-built table that my buddies had with them. Great news, their website is up and running at Poker Knights, so have a look. Drewby and Simo have been working their little behinds off 80 hours a week and they are very nice tables. Plug plug plug. No, I don't get any commission.

This one is called Big Slick.

Anyway. That's all I have for now. I'm off to record in about half an hour and must ready myself.
There was a very strange program on just before about technosexuals. Mostly focussing on the Real Dolls, which I had heard about some years ago during my long stint in The Industry but had never seen being moved about. They also showed some weird Demon Seed type deal, which was all chrome and hydraulics with a dildo sticking off it. It looked a little ridiculous, but it takes all kinds, I guess.
Anyway. I need a green tea before I depart, so off I trot to make a hot cup.
Buy a poker table.

The Machinist

2005-06-03T00:53:00.000+10:00

Yes, took a little wander to the movies this afternoon to see The Machinist. It wasn't the best thing ever, but I do think I should make an effort to get even remotely as skinny as Christian Bale is in that one (it was creepy when he did that E.T. thing near the start, brrrrr). Am I wrong, or is machinist Jones in Airheads? There are high hopes for Batman Begins...that chunky-funky Batmobile rocks my socks and I want one.

Also picked up Warren Ellis's Switchblade Honey, which looked as if it had been sitting at the bottom of a box for a long time. But I nabbed it. It tried hiding from me behind a stack of GI Joe comics, but didn't fool me for a second. No, sir. A shabby disguise, indeed.

Mother wants to get me a diamond ring for my impending birthday, a black diamond. The jeweller who sized me said I had ridiculously small hands, and that they were cold. These facts fazed me not.

New addiction takes the form of sudoku puzzles, which The Age has now added to the crossword section. Cannot get enough of that, and have been buying the paper every day for the fix. I like getting the paper anyway, but now it's an essential part of the day. And today "plinth" was a word in the Target puzzle. The fun never stops...never...

Bleah, it's past my bedtime, and there's only utter shite on television, for a change. The phone sex ads are the highlight, except when they repeat them too close together. The bad muzak kills me. As well as all the silly "ooouuuhhheeeuuuuuuuurrrrrgggggghhhhmmmm" noises. If I made noises like that when I was having sex, I'd probably be the recipient of some sort of blow to the face (and not the kind that girls like). Or he'd ask "are you ill?" and that would be a mood-breaker. Unless...no, we won't go there.

Okay, rambling. Keep meaning to visit Polyester, I've been in that neighborhood a few times but whenever I go past it's always packed with perverts. I only want a minimal number of perverts when I shop, thanks. And every home needs a Cunt Coloring Book. Now I know what has been missing from the lounge-room coffee table.

Blogging In The Bedroom

2005-06-02T00:41:00.000+10:00

YAY for me, super mega yay. I can now sit in the comfort (well, on the floor) of my darling bedroom and Internet away at my heart's content. About fucking time. I'm downloading my beloved Firefox at the moment, I missed its tabs so very much. Joy! Connected at last! It is only dial-up, but...it'll do for now.
This keyboard is huge. It hurts me paws.

Applied for a job today transcribing police suspect interview tapes. A nice little evening job. Also have an interviewy thing tomorrow to try to get some work as an extra. Also applied to be a theatre technician for the council, but I don't think it's likely. Sigh.

Heard from an old high-school buddy of mine last night, we had a good long chat and a bit of a reminisce, which was lovely. Apparently a lot of people from my year have become drug dealers. Good for them. They seem to be the ones who didn't have much else going for them. The 5-year reunion is looming and I'm still undecided about whether to make an appearance, given that I hated pretty much everyone and the feeling was mutual.

Saw The Geek today to get back my Blackadder DVDs, and I wasn't very nice. Wasn't mean either, but grabbed my stuff right away and got straight out of there. He sent me peevy messages and I laughed.

That's scoops for now...but one more thing:
Will someone please shoot the bastards who keep making stupid ringtones? Or am I going to have to do it?

Hey, Shortie Queenie Drunk Chick

2005-05-30T15:52:00.000+10:00

A temporary computer machine arrives for me on Wednesday, courtesy of my Mad Aunt trying to offload some things. It's a poor substitute for what will become mine in a matter of months, but it's better than a smack in the chops from a 400-pound zombie. I'll get myself onto some cheap whore of a dial-up (I see you shuddering, laugh not at my poverty) plan and that way I'll have some sort of connection with the outer world.
Relief is the word.

It's been a semi-busy (and, indeed, biZAY!) weekend for little me. My dear friend Nicholas gave me the gift of Look Around You (the Beeb strikes again), which I have found very funny indeed. I showed him the Monkey Dust, which made him quite depressed, really. And I went out to The Tote to see some pals of mine, who demanded that I not walk the 6km home while there is a serial rapist on the loose in Melbourne, and one of them kidnapped me by way of using a kebab as a lure. Damn their eyes. We all know what happened The Next Morning. Yes, morning...go figure. Why I seem so attractive with encrusted eyes and sticky-uppy hair remains a mystery. Perhaps I should ask next time.

Short comment on Schapelle: Poor bastard, I feel for her. That's it.

Recording again on Friday. It's the band one of you Anonymous readers raged against. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.
And one more:
Sorry.

Went to a jolly lecture last Tuesday. Bryan Castro talked about the death of the novel and proceeded (about halfway through the talk) to rip the shit through Dan Brown in a very intelligent way (as opposed to my "it's a piece of airport/bargain-bin crap"). I was so elated by this that I went up to him afterwards and thanked him many times over. He liked that someone appreciated his point of view, and remarked he was worried about being a bit out of his depth. I should read one of his books one of these days.

Anyway. That's all for now. The next time you have intercourse on public transport, think of me. Not sure why...

Books Rule

2005-05-24T15:13:00.000+10:00

Cheap ones especially. City Basement Books rocks my tiny mutant-filled world. I picked up four very decent books for a measly $19. Also picked up Desolation Jones #1 and the Arrowsmith TPB. I've decided to forfeit my tattoo savings temporarily in favour of some new clothes, so I'm about to head back above ground and find something cheap and nasty - I know that way it'll suit me.
Don't think I'm going to make it to Sons of Lee Marvin, sadly. Oh, well.
The bad news in Melbourne is that the Duke of Windsor (an old fave of mine) is shutting down and being replaced by a Bimbo Deluxe. Balls to you, Bimbo's.

I think that's the go for today, so it's just a quickie. I shouldn't be drinking gin at 3pm.
Remind me never to abuse substances directly before a recording session also. It was dreadful. And that's all to be said on the matter.

But for now, bloggers of the world, I salute you!

Bork Bork Bork

2005-05-19T15:25:00.000+10:00

Ony because Protools editing assignment has turned my brain to mulch.
Check out the band Smartypants and I recorded HERE - they have two songs up from a recording we did prior to New Uni, so the quality is bodgy. Also, the cretinous gits have not credited us yet. Welcome to life as an audio engineer - always the ignored bridesmaid in the daggy frock. Their name wants changing, apparently. I don't blame them.
Not much news, I had a boring weekend of nothingness and doom, and worked on a new design for a tattoo. Yes! A new one! Well, I designed about half of it. We shall see, I will ponder upon it more.
It is my birthday soonish (buymepresentsbuymepresents) and 22 looms like the hideous number it is. Doubt I will be doing anything interesting as it is on a Monday. Sigh.

I have an overnighter tomorrow, recording some MCs. Should be simple enough, no drum kit to mic up, thank goodness. I swear, that's half the damn work. They only want to lay down three tracks (to click) and that should take very little time. Then we can watch DVDs in the 5.1 surround mixing room. The mind boggles; my old-skool Transformers DVDs are in 5.1. Whuuh-wah-woh-wohh!

Failed Transformer noise... I apologise.
Anyhow, I'm at school now and need to give the MBox back. Cheerio 'til next time, chaps and chappettes!

Number One; Quiet!

2005-05-09T15:17:00.000+10:00

Yep...I know it's been yet another eon since my last blog - I still haven't got Internet back at home so I've resorted to Public Access (eww) yet again, in the form of my Local Library. So, props to Port Phillip Library Service for indulging me in a last-minute booking.

The great news is:
-Lock up your teenage sons and dashing husbands, ladies, cos Char is back on the meat market. You lucky bastards - I demand the nerdy lads of Melbourne rejoice! Yes, The Geek was doomed to not last very long, and I have crushed his soul and broken his heart most satisfyingly. He's crap anyway, and as I'm sure you'll all agree, this girl can do better than that boy.
-Trey Spruance is helping me with my homework. It makes my pants hurt with the greatness.
-Mother has finished her screenplay, and as I'm doing the dirty work in finding her a script agent, I will get a finder's fee. Muhaha!

The not-so-great news is:
-I'm still stricken with poverty. That's okay, because it really could be a lot worse.

Bands I've been seeing a bit of:
-Pablo Discobar - They are fabulous and funky, and play often at venues which I find horrible. Loads of sluts, though. Give Arik a smooch from me. He loves Arnold Schwarzenegger.
-Canyon Aero - Think along the lines of Tomahawk. Terry hates me because I demanded cigarettes from him and talked about his hat. They rock hard and hillbilly. I love their antics.
-The Suns - yep, they've garnered quite a following. I think I am responsible for this trend.

Think I'll check out the Sons of Lee Marvin sometime this month, because their name is a great indicator of their potential to rock my socks off. Plus they like gin, which immediately is taken as a good sign.

Books I've been reading:
- A Big Motherfucker of a Harlan Ellison retrospective; it was jolly good.
- Hooking Up by Tom Wolfe; it were okay, but I chewed through it a little too fast.
- Killer in the Rain by Raymond Chandler; hard-boiled is what I like, shamus.
- Various Comic Books, including a stack of Hellblazers that The Geek gave to me on the day I broke up with him (I'm harsh, but fair...he read about six pages of Original Sins and hated it), and some of the new stuff from Warren Ellis, and Grant Morrison.

Sigh. School is hectic, lots of assignments. It's good as a challenge, but is really only serving to highlight my lack of organisational skills. Though, on the upside, I have done a recording in the Big Room, with a lovely little 56-channel valve desk. Everything that comes through that baby sounds pretty damn good. Now I just need to get my head around Protools and Mac.

That's all I can think of for now, I hate blogging when there are Others surrounding me. It's uncomfortable and puts me on edge. Plus I can't drink coffee in here.

E-mail me, someone. I haven't been reading comments because of my discomfort in the physical public domain. When/if ever the Internet comes back at home, I will be back to my old ranty self in a jiffy. Although Mel has had an operation (steel plates + arm = fun!) and now is there all the time, I shall be a sneaky-beaky and hijack the computer by hiding it cunningly in my bathroom. I will blame the keystrokes on a dripping tap and nobody will be any the wiser. Oh, so cunning!

That's all for now. For now:
Bananas, bananas - look up in the sky!

Don't You Forget About Me

2005-03-11T13:10:00.000+11:00

Amazingly long time without posting, I bet you all thought this was a dead blog.
Close, but no banana, amigos.
Resulting from my house move I have been stricken with no Internet at home for the past ages. I caved and have ended up at a Netcaf just to check my damn email, oh what a pain.
Much catching up to be done, but I must do it in haste and chances are I'm going to forget a whole lot of stuff.

First off, a big official bloggy RIP to Doctor Hunter S. Thompson - I shall mourn the loss of such a great mind for many years to come. I got terribly drunk the night I found out and woke mother up at 5:30am (her time) bawling my eyes out and depressed as all hell. Mind you, you never would have known, being overshadowed by the demise of Sandra Dee. But enough of that, I will continue mourning on my own time. The Hunter (my one, not the dead one) called me up the day after, equally saddened and if you saw a tall blond man drunkenly stalking the city in a "Long Live Raoul Duke" shirt that Tuesday night, that was him.

What else?
Started New School last week, crossing over to The Dark Side as we all called it. Jolly perks such as overnight studio lock-ins have been granted to us. I am pleased and impressed. The Geek (who I am still with) has started there also and apparently he is seen as the coolest nerd in class for having a girlfriend. Laughs all around.

I have begun yelling at people who I see reading Dan Brown books. May Dan Brown rot in hell screaming amongst bonfires of his shitty airportish books. That is all I have to say on the matter, and don't try telling me otherwise.

Mother is visiting soonish, hurrah, and I will be getting a spanky Powerbook of my very own around then. She has finished her scrrenplay for the second time and is ready to start shopping it around script agents. Good for her, I hope she sells it for a decent amount.

EMI are sending me more crap to listen to, and are gifting me tickets to a JJJ Live At The Wireless on Monday. It's The Cat Empire, who I don't particularly like very much, but it's free and will get me out of the house.

The Geek keeps giving me hickeys, it's horrific. Last one looks like he hit me in the neck with a baseball bat. Disgusting.

At the moment I'm listening to Bright Eyes, Kronos Quartet and Brian Wilson. If you're in Melbourne, go check out The Suns, as they are Singaporean Rock Gods who use sparklers as pyrotechnics.

Last movie I saw was Sky Captain and the World of blahblah, which was crappy but looked nice overall and the wacky "whukkawhukka" sounds were great. Otherwise, meh.

I've got the entire Preacher series wrapped up, which were grand. I've started buying 100 Bullets and The Geek is going to buy me a few Hellblazers next week. I've also been reading Mark Millar's Ultimates 2 and the Michael Moorcock Tom Strong stuff. Yay for comic books, I still love 'em and always will.

Um, um, um, I think that's it for now. I apologise for totally disappearing off the radar and realise what a shitty post this is. Forgiveness is what I plead, but I don't expect any from you bastards. Grin.

Anyhow, once I get the passwords to the Net at school, I shall be able to post more frequently as it doesn't look like Daddy Dearest will be setting up the comp at home anytime soon. Sigh. Until next time, kiddies, adieu. And be good. And drink gin, it's great.

Winky Face

2005-02-03T11:18:00.000+11:00

Here’s to overdue blog entries. I actually finished one on Monday but the computer had a bit of a tantrum and clearly didn’t approve of what I had to say, so it was forever lost in the ether, which is probably a good thing as it was shit anyway. That's not to say that this one isn't, but...

So rather than delving into too much detail, let’s have a quick recap of the events of the past almost-week:

Friday – Beer with The Geek, followed by beer at Micky’s house. Micky discovers the joys of CafePress.

Saturday – Feel rotten after Friday beers. Persist with packing for the move but it makes me throw up so I sit in bed and take a few naps. Go to The Geek’s 21^st, where a small amount of drunken confessing takes place, followed by kissing -avert your eyes, children!

Sunday – Rush home at 2pm, shower, change and rush back out to the BDO in order to catch Kid Koala. I buy a samosa from the nice stoned Hare Krishna chaps. Run into buddies at System Of A Down by espying Jimsy’s large girth and impressively messy beard in the crowd. We make fun of Powderfinger by referring to them as "little Aussie battlers". Leave buddies in the depot for Beastie Boys to sneak off to secure a spot for Chemical Brothers and end up at the very front thanks to the lack of people watching the Carl Cox set beforehand. Sextacular.

Monday – Attempt to count the amount of bruises I sustained over the weekend. It’s a lot. The Geek is cantankerous at school and I think he perhaps dislikes me. He apologises later via SMS, and, kind soul that I am, I am all forgiveness. See my halo?

Tuesday – Feels like back to square one. Lucky I had to go back inside and pee before I left properly else I might never have known. Oh yes, he spilled the beans big-time. And manages to get kicked out of class.

Wednesday – It’s official. Mother is pleased, and says “it’s about fucking time” which is my sentiment exactly. The Geek comes over and gives me a small hickey, the utter bastard.

And there you have it. All very jolly. Char is now Spoken For. Filled with boyfriendy goodness.

By the way, I haven’t checked my email lately, so advance apologies to anyone who has mailed me and hasn’t gotten a response yet. Big on the sorry. Been busy, you know, with the moving house thing.

Yay For Generosity

2005-01-28T13:59:00.000+11:00

Alas, not so yay for my wallet. Anyway, I bought The Geek a book of fantasy art and a hip flask, which I got engraved (a BEAUTIFUL job from a total dude of an engraver situated in Royal Arcade - while-you-wait, nice price, brillant job and friendly service gets him a big fat PLUG) with his initials (which are not TG for "The Geek") and the date of his 21st birthday. This way he has to at least like one of the presents, and NO I'm not doing this just because I want to pants him. I did buy a small thing for myself while I was out as a pat on the back for enduring the oral last night. That probably sounds a little dirty for anyone coming into the my blog for the first time.

Downside is now I'm broke, and will probably continue to be broke through to next Friday. Hooray! At this rate, I can afford half-a-pill and a samosa (maybe) at the BDO on Sunday (which I'm less eager about by the minute). Neither of which I will buy. That's okay. At least the souvenir program is free. It'll be about the only thing that is.
But who needs frivolties and sustenance when you have heat-stroke?

Ahem.
By the way, I've managed to score a coffee date this afternoon with *gaspshockhorroramazement* yes, him - O Geeky One.
Permission to squeal like a live pig on a spit!
Must try to keep it not-too-long as tonight I'm supposed to be going to Micky's to read comics and I promised it would happen. Now I can't find my phone, it's somewhere stupid, for certain. Running around the house trying to find where "Squeeze Me Macaroni" is emanating from is less fun than it sounds. Off I go to do just that.

Y'all have a doozy of a weekend if I'm not in for a few days. Keep cool, stay in school (unless it's really giving you the irrits), floss many times, and remember that if it's not on - IT'S NOT ON.

Good old PSAs. Now I feel all self-righteous.

Oral Is Over

2005-01-28T08:51:00.000+11:00

Did my presentation last night, so thankfully that's over and done with and I happened to pass with flying colours despite my case of nerves, so I felt rather special (and apparently I scrub up all right, too). Sadly it only accounts for 30% of the subject mark but meh, I'm about halfway through the plan and really it's only typing up and adjusting figures from here on in.

Other than that...nothing incredibly earth-shattering has happened. Didn't get much sleep, I was foolish and stayed up until 5am playing CDs. This morning they have started setting up the stuff for the F1 Grand Prix across the road. We'll be glad not to have to live directly opposite it.
I forgot to mention yesterday, I was rather disappointed that there was a giant lamington being dished up at Fed Square on Australia Day and nobody let me know until after. They're highly flammable and delicious.

Sigh. Enough of this. The city awaits and it looks like it's going to be a pleasant day for a leisurely stroll.
heyyy...new Bungle shirts at Cinderblock...so tempting....*smack* bad girl!

AAGH!
sorry, spooked by a loud noise that sounded like canned crowd. "kkkkkkkkkkrrrrrrr-!"

That really is enough. Time for shopping.

Bees

2005-01-27T13:09:00.000+11:00

So busy this week, and barely time to blog. Plus, it's been STINKING hot. That awful sort of hot where all the flies manage to come into the city for a few days and you have no idea where they came from because they certainly weren't there in the winter.
And yes, I'm still working on my business plan. Which I have to do the presentation on tonight. I overslept this morning and lost two hours. So, yay, I'm ever so masturbated upon.

Tomorrow I have to go shopping for a present for The Geek. Have no idea what to get him and he wasn't exactly specific as to what I should look for. I always despise buying gifts for people when I don't actually know what they already have. It's all very well to say "I like fantasy books" but what about subcategories, dammit?! People should distribute inventories of what they have before their birthday so that everyone has a better idea of what to get them. That, or set up a registry. Yeahhh...

The move is approaching fast (small stuff this weekend, big stuff next) which will be an utter bastard, especially if the weather is as hot as it has been.

Don't how where all the busy came from, but I've got a lot to do over the next few weeks: another recording, and mixdowns for both, plus a written production diary; this damned business plan; house move; then I have to go away for 2 or 3 days for this short film shoot; change school...blargh.

I think the computer has a virus but Norton's running at a snail's pace and I can't be bothered digging through files to look for what's wrong. Sigh.

Back In Black

2005-01-24T13:33:00.000+11:00

Dyed hair yesterday, feel like my good old blue-black self again. The downside of this is having to constantly convince everyone that I'm not a goth. That's okay, all I really need to do is smile.

Watched the last ep of Carnivale, and all I can really say about it is "...huhwhat?" Oh, well. You couldn't really make any sort of satisfactory ending to that show, so...meh. Well, I couldn't anyway.

Currently writing up my business plan...it's not very pleasurable but I'm getting there. I've made a start, and that's the important thing. Unfortunately the help links on the template we were given don't work. The central site is accessible but none of the other pages are. This probably means that the template we were given is quite a few years old. Bastards. Right now I'm writing about the unique proprietary aspects of My Company, and I want a sandwich.

Watched a German film called Das Experiment (don't panic, the site is German) on the weekend. Based on the 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment, though there are differences in how the experiment was set up. All in all, a very decent film, often unsettling. Perhaps may have worked well as a longer-length mini-series to allow some of the other characters show through (though one may argue that depersonalization has happened and they aren't characters anymore, anyway) but Moritz Bleibtreu really did a bang-up job in the main role. The character of Dora is a bit of a strange fit in the film, but that's okay, plus she gives us little breaks from the prison. Anyway, I give it an 8.5/10, so nyer. Definitely worth a watch.

Damn, I've gotten distracted. That's okay. Time to pack it in for the day, methinks. Yawn.

Exhaust

2005-01-23T11:38:00.000+11:00

Well, going out two nights in a row is certainly a lot more tiring than it used to be and I'm gathering it won't get any easier. Next weekend, it'll be two nights and one full day, so we'll see how I cope with that.

Friday I trotted over to the Duke of Windsor to see my friend's band. Was pretty uneventful, though I did get to see me old mate Mick, who like myself is tired of gigs being the be-all-and-end-all of everyone's social life. So we decided we're going to start a little group-type thing and just get together every now and then, somewhere that isn't a noisy pub, and just do chill-out stuff. Read and whatnot, share some things, sink a few beers (or gins, as the case may be).
Sure, it may sound like a girly clubhouse thing to do but personally I'm sick of having to yell over the top of fifty other people and a full band just to have a freakin' conversation. At the moment it's just me and him. First get-together is next Friday afternoon, and Mick is keen for Preacher after having a 20-minute skim through Vol 2. So I'm taking over a massive lot of comics, maybe some music as well.

Last night I dragged myself out to the Old Colonial (depressing that the Old Colonial keeps putting "welcome to the OC, bitch" in my head) to see pirate band Sforzando, who took over an hour longer than they were meant to to set up, but were definitely worth hanging around for. And seeing as there was only a small bunch of attendees, the set was interlaced with a little stand-up comedy from Quincy, the singer. Fortunately the people that did show up were pretty into the whole pirate thing and there was more than one "ARRRR!!" shouted, mine being the first of the evening. If I had a hook-hand I would have waved it about.

Note to people who go to see bands: please don't stand directly in front of people who are sitting down - it blocks our view of the band and pisses us off because clearly you know that we're there having looked directly at us, and there is plenty of room elsewhere to stand, fucko. Plus, wiggling your butt like a randy alley-cat whilst standing in front of us is unacceptable and next time I will bring some railway spikes and a small sledgehammer with me so you better watch your green-trousered heiny.
Ahem.

Still haven't started on my business plan. I better do it soon, as I have to give the oral (keep it clean, people) on Thursday. Not having a computer to myself makes it a little hard, especially at night. Plus I'd like to do spiffy stuff in it but the lack of Photoshop is a major hurdle. I don't think Paint is quite on a par, somehow.

Sick of my hair being brown at the moment. Was going to get rid of all the black and do it a reddish colour but can't be bothered waiting for it to grow out, so I'm going to stroll up to the supermarket and buy black dye. Only think is it gets awfully hot in the sun, but like I go out in the sun much anyway.

Ah, procrastination, the essential part of student life...

Quarantined!

2005-01-21T15:57:00.000+11:00

Ah, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Quarantine Inspection Service, you may act like bastards but there is a glimmer of a heart beneath that cold exterior, and your job is important.

But poor little Nicholas (not my Nicholas, but overseas cousin Nicholas), how is he to know that he shouldn't send cards with dried flowers on them overseas?
So instead of a nice card from dearest young cousin, I get an envelope with QUARANTINE tape all over it and a letter telling me it will cost $42.50 and six weeks to blast the card with Gamma rays (at 25 kGray) if I actually want it. Funnily enough it will also cost $42.50 to send it back to New Zealand.

Fortunately, the Department were nice enough to photocopy what was written in the card for me (a very sweet thankyou and happy new year love from) so I wasn't entirely mystified as to what it was I was missing out on (or potentially forking out $42.50 for).
So, cheers for that show of kindness, but jeers for the massive fees for Gamma radiation. Where are my tax dollars going? (tee hee)

I'm still not going to pay the $42.50. Sorry, Nicholas...
:(

Damn, No Post Title

2005-01-21T09:29:00.000+11:00

Was in the city yesterday to see Harry Potter 3 with Nicholas (slightly less dirty jokes this time) and according to my dear aforementioned friend, I appear to be in the film as slightly-nasty-boy Draco Malfoy's bee-atch. I was not impressed by this turn of events, and attempted to convince him that this girl looks nothing like me. Attempted, but failed.

Anyway. While I was in the city I dropped into Minotaur and picked up Angel Stomp Future from Warren Ellis's fake Apparat line, which is tremendous and I'm glad I nabbed the last copy (muhahaha, gleefully rub hands) before some other git did. Also picked up a MX paper and was confused by a SMS poll they had conducted the previous day. Now, this is a dreadful paper, even if it is free (sanity is the price you pay), but the new lows that they manage to constantly sink to are mind-boggling. Anyway, the question was:
Is it right for women to pee standing up?
Result: 51% YES, 49% No.

I don't think I need to examine this as the obvious stupidity (on more than one level) speaks for itself.

This weekend, not sure what doing. Friend's band is playing tonight but I don't think I really want to go, plus it is $6 which I'd rather spend on gin. So I think I will skip that one and go see pirate band Sforzando instead on Saturday. It's been a while and they play some damn fine music. Arrr! They also need to update their website, mateys.

Ah, Starbucks Burns

2005-01-19T13:32:00.000+11:00

Courtesy of R Stevens...apparently a car drove through the local Slutbucks.

Girly Squeals of Excitement

2005-01-19T09:31:00.000+11:00

Breaking news from a little over 12 hours ago - The Geek and I have finally exchanged phone numbers - at his insistence, of course. Apparently he had been trying to get his brother to tell him mine but to no avail, which I found a little confusing. But anyway...he said "I wish I'd had it last Friday, I was at school and they closed at 5, and I could have called you up to come have a coffee or a drink."

Dance of elation! Handclap of wonder!
And thank goodness I didn't have to do any of the work.
Also, cheers to the crazy Brazilian guy in The Geek's class who came out to get a cup of water, came over for a chat and then went and yelled at The Geek to get out. Methinks he plays at matchmaker.

Not much else to report. School has put more acoustic treatment in, and though Studio 2 sounds better than it did, it's also gotten a whole lot smaller. We dubbed copies of the recording yesterday. There's a lot of aircon on the vocals (Smartypants stupidly put the live space aircon on full bore before we tracked them) and a bit of spill from the cans, but that's sort of okay. I guess I'll try to gate it and hope the remaining disappears in the rest of the mix. Fingers crossed. It sounds pretty good already though, a few problem areas, but as I said to Smartypants we got spoiled with them and I doubt there are many musicians who are that easy to work with.

5000

2005-01-18T11:20:00.000+11:00

Yup, overnight my blog hit 5000...I'm so proud, and though I realise it is probably small fish to a lot of you, it makes my tiny shrivelled heart swell with joy.

Recording went well last night until we all got slightly tired and delirious....4 people working in a tiny room with no air conditioning and a lot of machines for six hours will turn one's brain to mush, as we discovered. The musicians were great, we ended up doing the drums and guitar together in 3's recording space and it turned out wonderful, we didn't even use a baffle and the musicians were having fun and put down seven songs.
Then we moved into 2 to do some guitar overdubs and vocals, unfortunately we didn't get to do all of the songs but we got 3 completed which is more than we needed anyway. The guy who did guitar and vocals is a fantastic singer, Matt Chapman. If you're in Melbourne and free tonight, nip down to Manchester Lane jazz club in the city (Flinders Lane) and you can catch him as part of a Club Acoustica showcase. Kickoff at 7:30pm, $8 entry. Alas, I have school tonight. Smartypants says he wants to get those guys back in when we change schools and record their demo for them there, and hopefully I can weasel my way in as a filthy assistant for that.

School is clearly trying to put some "impressive" touches on. We went off to get dinner and came back to discover something that passes itself off as acoustic treatment. It's not even attached to the walls. Basically it's a spiffy-looking baffle that's in a really useless spot. They've also put poles outside to get those shade-sail things up. We tied The Geek's brother to one of the poles and I gave him a bitchslapping, which I think maybe he enjoyed a bit too much. The lads found a pole somewhere and kept poking me with it, which was annoying seeing as how I was trying to get the compressor settings right. It was probably just to get me saying "stop rubbing your pole up against me" and "don't stick it in my face like that" and so on. Pervs.

Now, I need to go buy another DTRS tape, format it and then make copies of the master. Bleah. They had better not give me another two-hour tape. Bastards.

Cogs

2005-01-17T10:24:00.000+11:00

That's it. That's what I want. Cogs.
Cogscogscogs, down my leg. Hip to ankle, maybe even foot as well (ouch). Grey cogs. Different sizes. They are delicious, I have decided.
Hmm, I'll think about it more.
Dammit, I wish I was better at drawing. Not that cogs are particularly difficult, but it's the intricacies of the mechanism at stake, dammit. let's all say "dammit", one more time. Dammit.

Yum. Though I am more partial to the squarish tooth.

New House

2005-01-17T09:47:00.000+11:00

We got the new house, huzzah, along with its fancy exposed wiring and many cupboards (you laugh, but when you don't have them they are sorely missed) and a wardrobe of my very own. We get keys on the 28th and will probably start taking small stuff over then so we don't have to worry about the small stuff. In my experience (moving an average of twice a year since birth, yes, I calculated it), it's the small stuff that fucks you over.

In moving-related news it seems the Olds have come to the understanding that Everybody Needs Space. So, the house comp will be moved to the dining room where I can easily get at it without feeling like an invader. I also get a bathroom all to myself, muhaha, I can clean it every day! Apparently there's no lock on the door. Meh. Mel is keen for a new fridge, which is also good news - she wants a proper freezer that actually keeps things frozen. Round of applause.

Had a blobby weekend, read Valis by Philip K. Dick, and I think it has turned my brain to mush by causing me to think too much. However, I have come to the conclusion that I need more Dick.

My prac group is recording tonight, at 5pm. Hope the band that Smartypants has found are decent - he says they're "good folk" which could mean a lot of things. They may be well-mannered but can they play their instruments in tune and in time? Worried how we are going to fit a full drum kit into 2's live space and be able to get in there to mic it up. Might have to track the drums in 3 and do the rest in 2, which we're not supposed to do but probably won't have much choice. Unless the drummer is a tiny person and they have one of those miniature kits.

I'm real boring this morning, apologies.

Chainsaws & Capguns

2005-01-15T11:18:00.000+11:00

So I didn't pike last night and forced myself out of the house to go see Broken Hearted Chainsaw Routine at the ever-so-wonderfully-dodgy Old Colonial. A colourful atmosphere, to say the least. Anyhow, despite the absence of a 'proper' setup (ie. raw and unmixed as fuck) they were indeed a lively bunch, and had even gone to the trouble of making their own band jackets - yes, with tassles.
Clearly they need to tighten up a lot, but the enthusiasm is there, the capguns are firing and the drummer happens to do my favourite style of drumming: Perching on the edge of the stool with a droopy cigarette clamped between the teeth and making stern-but-amusing faces. Sort of wish that music didn't spur people on to that horrible drunken dancing. It's quite painful to watch someone trying to pull off "The Tree" to mariachi music.

That's all for now, think I'll go watch Buffalo Soldiers, heard good things about it and rented it so we'll see. The weather suddenly turned yuk (well, nice and cold for me, yuk for others) last night but my room has gotten to be sweltering. Nothing going on tonight, so I'll save a few pennies by staying in unless I get a call at the last minute saying "come to this". And chances are I'll fuck that off.

Piking

2005-01-14T15:35:00.000+11:00

Yes, we all piked out of Jape Squad last night, everyone was tired and cranky so we decided to catch them another time.
Thankfully, we have been distributed a revised schedule which reveals that there won't be the overlap of classes between schools. We will have Friday and the weekend and turn up to the new school Monday morn. A bit disappointing that we still won't get a week-long break but that's okay, I hate that stop-start stuff anyway.

Been finishing up the reviews I had to do on the EMI albums I was given. Seeing as they sent me a reminder about it. It's their fault I'm getting it in late, they should have sent me a deadline to go along with it. Ah, all done. Jolly. Hope they send me more free crap that I can sell. And some good music next time. Actually, a couple of songs off a couple of the albums weren't entirely dreadful. So forgiving, aren't I?

Still in two minds whether to go to Broken Hearted Chainsaw Routine or not. It is free. They don't seem to have a website. Well, according to Richard Miles Internet Toilet, anyway. It is only a tram ride away. They have capguns. No-one is willing to come with me, which does put a bit of a dampener on things and means I will probably need to drink more because I won't have anyone to talk to. Or yell at abusively. Whatever. If you're at the Old Colonial, I either won't be there or I'll be the chick at the bar muttering and weeping into her G&T.

For some inexplicable reason I have joined Mess + Noise. I'm sure in time I will forget about it, like so many other things I register with and neglect *coughcoughMyspacecough* all too soon.
Sly grin, followed by cowering.

Nothing very interesting happened yesterday (well, not to me, anyway...to you, maybe, but...).
The Geek poked me in the side. Then I poked him in the gut. Then he poked me again. And stepped on my foot. He is coming to the new school, hooray. We can continue on with our pathetic flirting-that-goes-nowhere this year.

Somewhat disturbed by rumours that Andrew Bolt may be leaving The Scum to work for The Age. It will, however liven things up as he is a notorious shit-stirrer and utter bastard, and will get up a lot of people's noses.

I see Prince Harry has now been branded a baby-raping Jew-killer due to his fancy-dress faux pas. Sigh. Wonder if anyone would have blinked if he dressed up as Pol Pot. Or Stalin.

Crack Again

2005-01-13T10:20:00.000+11:00

Yep, so we've experienced BlogExplosion...if you're weary of that one give BlogClicker a whirl...same concept, really.

Anyway. Going to see The Jape Squad tonight with kids from school. Should be fun, though not sure if Michael will be too overjoyed to see us.

Business Development is so very dull. Important, certainly, but so dry. Lacking in moisture. Having Ric back is well cool, him and his bad jokes. Bad thing is we have to do this whole big business plan (not anywhere near as complicated as a real one, but still biggish) and then (worst part) stand up and do a pitch. Yeesh. I despise public speaking and would rather stab myself repeatedly in the eyes than do it. And yet, it must be done. So I'm going to end up getting up there and shaking like a Parkinson's patient and stuttering like Porky Pig. I can guarantee there'll be more stutter than speech.
I don't even know what my business idea is. I'm not an ideas person, dammit. Well, yesterday I came up with a fish vending machine. That has nothing to do with the audio industry, so it won't work for this. Could just do something boring like opening a studio or PA hire or something. But that's boring. Mind you, I don't want to do a really good idea either as someone might think "oh, that's a good idea" and steal it. Sigh.

Will try to convince The Geek to come "get Japed", despite his brother's whining and unwillingness to go anywhere or do anything remotely fun.

Tomorrow night: Probably will check out Broken Hearted Chainsaw Routine. I'm in the mood for something offbeat. Described as "a meximotown cunts-from-Preston spaghetti-Westgarth soultime-mariachi-punk rock jamboree...more blood, more nudity, more tassles..."
Sounds extremely promising, provided I don't get glassed.

Today: A near-repeat of last Thursday, going to see Harry Potter 2 with Nicholas...I predict more dirty jokes, evil laughter and groping. Sadly I won't be able to hang around afterwards and play the ACMI gallery game because of school. That's okay. I'll see him next Thursday for #3. You gotta love $4 movies that nobody goes to, and extremely comfy chairs with plenty of leg room.

Must dash, shower then into the city to try to avoid buying comics or I'll run out of money and won't be able to drink tonight. And what a tragedy that would be.

Soap Opera

2005-01-12T13:52:00.000+11:00

Had a readthrough this morning in the city for the short film I'm acting in as a favour. We didn't really read through the script as two of the other leads didn't show (which I thought was rather rude and most unprofessional), and I don't really interact with the woman who did show up so it was more a meet and greet and discussion of schedule etc.
Then I got a call from uni, who had 'questions' about the letter I gave them, and I sure as sugar put them in their place with that one and they ended up acknowledging the fact that I was right. Muhaha! I win! I wasn't rude, I was pretty reasonable about everything and explained things a bit more and they seemed to understand, despite frantic attempts to shoot me down.

Last night was fun, we found out that we're going to be at current school two weeks longer than anticipated. So for the last week, we're going to be at two schools simultaneously - finishing at one and starting at another. Thankfully the times don't clash but I feel badly for the kids who were relying on the short break to find new work or take a breather. Stress less, as I said, but I don't have a day job so it's easy for me to say.

The Geek invited me to get hot chips with him and also reminded me that it's his birthday on the 30th and he's having a BBQ (yes, at Chez Geek) and going to the pub after and am I coming? I told him not to have it actually on the 30th as it's a Sunday. He concurred that it was a crap idea and he will settle for the 29th or the next week. I win at so many things! Then I stole some chips. Then he made the chip bag into a phallic symbol and mentioned knitted condoms. Sigh. I wonder what all that means...damn his subtle ways.
It's been said before, but clearly this is my kind of guy. That's probably a worrying thing. I've been ruined for anyone who even resembles normality. Mind you, that could spur a whole 'what is normal?' debate and I can't be arsed, sorry.

His brother (who, for those new to the soap opera) keeps giving me pained looks, which I find confusing, amusing and pathetic all at once. As far as I can figure, he probably feels a little bit left out. Ah well. Can't be helped.

Boring post, I know. I think I'll go make a sandwich. Roast beef. Yum. Cheese. Doubly yum.

I don't understand people who choose not to eat cheese. So goshdarned tasty. I mean, if you physically can't due to allergies, then fine...but...CHEESE! How can you turn down cheese? I love that scene in Twin Peaks when Jerry gets back from Paris and brings the baguettes with brie and butter...
Droooool.

Note to certain mothers with littl'uns: how about you tell your kid off when they bash a complete stranger on the head and neck repeatedly with their tiny fists? Some of you are quite good at telling-offs (much appreciated and kudos to you) but others just give that dopey "ain't that cute?" grin that Bill Hicks was talking about and it really shits me off. If I went around beating strangers around the head I'd get in trouble and probably get my teeth knocked out. So please, a little courtesy for all us childless freaks.

It would also be nice if the duller part of the population would please stop breeding these pink lumps with squinty eyes that are passed off as human children but are really some sort of mutant brainless parasitic eating-machines that don't do much except take up space and valuable oxygen, etc. Even my cousin, who literally only has half a brain in her head and has some sort of autistic thing happening as well, makes her contribution to society and has more to offer the world than these creatures.

Anyhow. That's enough moaning for now. I wrote more than I wanted to and you're probably all running for the hills due to boredom. Apologies! You are henceforth released!

Fine Form

2005-01-11T13:48:00.000+11:00

Was what I was in yesterday...oh, the wit was pouring out of every orifice and into everyone's brains, and sort of jigging around in there. And now it's all over.
I have been greedy, and run out of funny. That, and I blame the 37 degree (CELSIUS, you bastards) weather that is currently outside and which I cannot hide from for much longer as I have to go to school now. Well, ten minutes ago.

Talked to The Geek. He is burning me The Incredibles. We talked about internal hard drives being trendy again. He told me to tell him to shut up more often. All very romantic. I have an inkling he may be interested. It's all that winking and whispered jibes at each other. He wore a shirt with pixels on it.

Had odd dreams that I had a loft bed and I was trying to convince someone to review comic books in the newspaper that they work for. Then they said they were more interested in the Duncton mole books. Bastard.

Will probably pass out from heat exhaustion later. I'm going to get an ice-cream and skip off to school. Well, I won't actually skip. That would require far too much energy on a day like this.

A Letter From Me, to School

2005-01-10T14:22:00.000+11:00

Okay, my uni just rang to ask if I'm continuing with second-year which I'm not, and asked for a letter stating such and reasons why. Here is an abridged copy, and though not exactly professional, it fits the criteria that they asked for, so nerner:

This decision has been undertaken for a few reasons. Mainly, I am unsatisfied with the level of organization (or “chaos” as I have often referred to it) displayed, particularly in regards to the night classes in which I am enrolled.

I notice that the available studio time is cut short when the daytime classes have broken up for the semester, notably on Fridays and Saturdays. Many of my classmates work during the weekdays, and would only be able to come in at these times even during holidays. Considering we have two projects currently due that rely on using the studio, it doesn’t seem fair that our class has less access when we are paying the same amount of fees. Some of my class members have even felt it necessary to skip theory class so as to get recording done.

Secondly, staff are often ill-mannered or non-responsive. With certain requests, particularly when it comes to exam results or things that aren’t fiscally-related, replies are inaccurate and rude. One student put in a feedback form requesting that results from five weeks prior could be posted in the book, and it seems like it wasn’t even checked up on. What he got was a sarky response pointing out that if he read the signs he’d know that results are posted three weeks after an exam (forgive me, but three comes before five, generally speaking). Whilst I realise that one can ask reception for results during office hours, it’s not much help to those who can’t make it at that time. Responses regarding the coffee machine (or lack thereof) have been widely ignored.

Thirdly, we have had a number of lecturers come in – and whilst I have enjoyed my time in their classes and learned from them, it’s not the greatest thing to get used to someone and their style of teaching and then have them up and away. They all knew their stuff, and are all intelligent people, and I think that some of my peers should have recognised this but didn’t. It would be preferable to have a new lecturer every lesson (a slightly ridiculous concept) than to spend a couple of weeks settling into someone’s way of doing things only to have them leave soon after. This wasn’t the plan, we know, but it doesn’t change things.

Also, the studio facilities themselves aren’t exactly up to scratch. One can only forgive so much before tolerance turns into frustration. Particularly in Studio 2, where the acoustic treatment is nonexistent, the recording space is little more than a water closet, and one must make a mix absolutely ghastly in the control room to have it sound anywhere near decent on any other system. I do realise that _____ is making a few changes (“extensive” if my reading is true) in terms of studio facilities, but it’s a case of too little, too late. I fail to see how a new sign and a lick of paint has been given higher priority than new equipment.

There is not a whole lot I personally know about running a business, but I do know that if you treat your customers with disdain, don’t listen to their grievances, and generally pass them around to whoever like the proverbial doobie – you’re going to lose at least some clientele, and at $10,000 a pop and can’t-put-a-price-on-it reputation slide, it adds up to a fair chunk of change.

Overall, I can say that I have enjoyed my time at ______ and have definitely come away knowing more about my chosen field. However, it is the people, not the environs, that have made it worthwhile. I am disappointed that I have felt the need to leave, but that’s the way the cookie crumbles and hopefully we shall both learn a thing or two from this experience. Thank you kindly for your time and services.

Regards.

Yerrr, stick it to The Man, Chazza! See? Not professional, but civil, though a little nasty.
Hey, Char tells it like it is and makes no exception for those in higher power. Especially not money-grubbing little weasels who glad-hand you one minute and flick you like a ciggie the next.

Booted

2005-01-10T11:55:00.000+11:00

Well, 2005 prediction score 1 for me: my precious gift of life is apparently not good enough for the blood bank.
Damn anaemia. Damn my honesty. The nurse looked like she was going to have a litter of piglets when she found out. "Your blood is no good here!" said she, and "come back in six months, maybe even a year or two!"
Well! Dagnabbit, I can't go without my tri-monthly free chocolate milkshake for that long!

Not to mention having to walk past all the people waiting and out the door without donating. Now they all know I have Bad Blood and am Not To Be Trusted. How embarrassing. They probably think I have AIDS or hepatitis or dengue fever or Creutzfeld-Jacob. Or something. They all give you that look...like I used to get if people asked me for a cigarette and I'd say "I don't smoke" while puffing away happily. Or when you turn down those pamphlet-people by telling them "no, thankyou, I have axolotls". That combined expression of anger and disappointment...

On the upside, this means I can get another tatt and it won't matter. Provided I can decide what to get and then think about it for a while. Which I have already been doing with a few ideas, but it's not something that wants rushing, as us sensible fops know.

Anyway, to make myself feel better about having Bad Blood, I went to Minotaur and bought Preacher: Salvation (that's volume 7, for those unaware of such wondrous things - 2 more to go!) and also chugged a bottle of peach tea.

Bright and Relatively Early

2005-01-10T08:30:00.000+11:00

Yup, I hauled my buttocks out of bed this morning so I could get some washing done (it's going to be a hot week) and make an appointment for the Blood Bank (11:20am today).
What I was not anticipating waking up to was a short description of how someone's baby's umbilical (or "embillical" if one wishes) cord has finally fallen off. I'm thankful it wasn't a long description. Though, I tend not to cope well with words like "afterbirth" this early on in the day.

Yesterday I rewatched most of Twin Peaks (Season 1) and cut my hair. Also cleaned up a little of my room, so now there is a patch of grubby grey carpet which was previously unbeknowst to the rest of the world.

My hair looks fab. Still pondering whether to redye it, and if so, which colour. A superficiality, most definitely, but one that has the potential to drastically alter my life and the lives of those around me.

HA! Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Okay, I need more coffee.

FLOFU

2005-01-09T13:18:00.000+11:00

Yup, my word of the day. It stands for "Fat Lot Of Fucking Use" which is what I would use to describe the Red Cross Blood Service website. Which I visited hoping to make an appointment to donate seeing as their stinky call centre isn't open on the weekends except for 7:30am-9:30am Sunday. Yeah, good luck on that. But apparently I can't book myself in on the site (which means they lied in the letter I got from them), I can only register as a donor. I already am a stinkin' donor, chaps.
Unless my "precious gift of life" isn't important enough? Hmm? Hmmmm? Hmmmmmm?
Sigh.

I went to lawn bowls on Friday night. I was walking up my street when there was this big tyre-squeal and a bodgy bomb of a car pulled up and Samsa came bouncing out and kidnapped me and took me to lawn bowls. There was a man in a pirate hat that had dead bird wings stuck to it. He begrudgingly allowed me to take a picture of him. I took it with my phone, which explains much of the crappy quality, plus you can't see the wings. I didn't want him to smile either, but, oh well...
Lawn Bowls Pirate:

I tell you what, if there's a sport that brings out the weirdos, lawn bowls is it. Was good fun though. Plus theyhad BBQ. I got a sausage.
hehehe.

Last night I was going to do a few things. Wanted to go see Java but couldn't be arsed, besides I didn't want to get there and find it sold out and not be able to get in. Then there was the offer of a shindig at one of the uni guy's house, but I don't think anyone was going so I didn't either. So I went to the movies instead, then went to Evil Borders (accursed corporation!) and bought Slippage by Harlan Ellison.

So very glad that I have class again this week. It will be good, except the next subject doesn't sound too appetising: Business Development.
Useful, probably, but not exactly thrilling.
And The Geek will be mine.
I will corner him and paw at his thighs.
Or not.
Methinks I'm a FLOFU, too.

Holed Up

2005-01-07T16:54:00.000+11:00

Shortie for now, holed up in a netcaf just to avoid going home. Turns out I didn't get time to do what I wanted to anyway but I ran across some neat things whilst running around on the Wikipedia.

For one, it's useful to know that there's a manga called "Super Person Nikola Tesla" out there somewhere.
But I did get some neat little links on use of infrasound/ultrasound experimentation in music, and I must follow up on a band called Throbbing Gristle, which I imagine will be joyous.
Stuff I've read this week:
-Snow Crash, finally, I've procrastinated over that one for long enough and at long last cottoned onto it. Smooth move, Ex-Lax. Best...catchphrase...ever...
-Preacher Volume 6, which wasn't bad but wasn't the best either. Then again, I'm nearly done with the series. It may have been because Nicholas remarked that Jesse Custer looks like Jerry Seinfeld, which I'd never noticed before and now can't get out of my head. It was very off-putting.
-Jennifer Government - So very pulpy. Not really in a good way, either. It annoys me that Chapel Street warranted a mention. Actually, many mentions. Damn Australian writers.
-shit...I can't remember the proper title...Gonzo Papers Vol 3 by Hunter S. Thompson, to fill me with a bit of spite, like I need more.
-And today I have begun on Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow. Don't ask what it's like, I've only read three pages. It's a short book so I'll probably finish it tonight. Looks pulpy like orange juice with extra pulp. Except it's bright green. Lovely.

Anyway, I think I've spent enough money (through it is broadband - ah, luxury) on unnecessary stuff today. Well, probably about $12. Too much for my liking.

Forgot, Smartypants got turned down for a loan by the bank. Bastards. I think he was asking me to take up prostitution to compensate. Not planning on it. Though it is a shit of a thing, he's not asking for that much, and it's not like they can't spare the cash. i told him to tell them he's an orphan and he'll kill their firstborn sons if they don't give him the cash. And also suggested he puts poop in their pants (which he said sounds like more trouble than it's worth), so I figure I've done my bit.

Also forgot. I'm probably going to be moving house soon, which will be good even if the olds are coming. An actual house. Apparently it's a hovel, but a cheap hovel with 4 bedrooms and a big kitchen is better than an expensive hovel with two bedrooms and tiny everything. The best thing about this is that if we get this place, I will have a wardrobe. So I can actually hang clothes up. Hence my room will be a shitload cleaner. And won't have lots of things still in garbage bags.

Hooraw. Anyhow.
That's enough.

ARRRGH get these people out!

2005-01-07T13:43:00.000+11:00

FINALLY I have computer access after a goshdarned near-week of no internet. It's been driving me bananas because I have things that needed to be done and today is my last day to do them and I probably won't get time because of the damn people in the house.
So, I've been locked away in my room starving and masturbating all week.
This is what happens when my schedule gets uprooted. Yesterday was the first time I had any food in four days. Other than that I've been Avoiding and Hiding. Though, on the upside it's allowed me a lot of reading time. And my eyelids have gone a bit more transparent than they should be. Ew.
Better go before They get back. It pisses me off, They were supposed to be gone this week too, and they didn't go. At all. Anywhere, in fact. Gargantuan sigh.
At least I got out yesterday. Went to ACMI with Nicholas and then we sat in the park with 3D glasses on and groped each other. That was fun.
Better go, have to crawl back into my room and pretend not to be there. I'll put my reads up next time I'm online.

Happy 2005!

2005-01-01T11:43:00.000+11:00

Boy, do I feel like a dickhead.
Honestly, what was all that carrying on for?
Feel much better today, though seedy and regretful (as predicted) for being such a foolish little nancy. Oh well, at least I can own up to it.
Unimpressed that dad and Mel get back in about 5 hours. Lucky I cleaned all my stuff out of their room and the living room yesterday.
What I don't like seeing first thing in the morning after being sick all night - dead bird-fetus. Which I almost stepped on. In bare feet. Gag.
Anyway. A quickie, before I go clean out my spew-bucket and curl up in bed in front of Fistful of Dollars.
Yell at me, if you haven't already. Or I could do it for you.

Char, ya bastard, one is not to be doing that again! Honestly, woman! Get a hold of yourself! *slapslap* No, not there! Figuratively, dammit!

Bleaaah.

The Hunter

2005-01-01T01:10:00.000+11:00

Lectured me for hours on how I really am a wonderful person and that I am intelligent and whatnot. I told him that was all bullshit. Lawks, I'm smashed. Happy New Years, all.
This is so pathetic. Nothing looks right.