Yadda Yadda Yadda

If you haven't seen this show you either live overseas or just haven't been exposed to the awesomeness that is The Hollowmen! It's on ABC1 Wednesdays @ 9:30pm and ABC2 Thursdays @ 9pm. The Hollowmen is an Australian television comedy series set in the offices of the Central Policy unit, a special think tank personally set up by the Prime Minister to help him get re-elected. It's produced by Working Dog Productions who also made Frontline, The Panel and Thank God You're Here. It is a very clever show showing how politics can often lead to ridiculous outcomes! Things don't get done, yet there is still the appearance that things are getting done. There are so many clashes behind the scenes between various departments that someone is always upset with the course of action. Hilarious stuff. Rob Sitch is perfect as Tony, only concerned with tomorrows headlines and no idea of what it takes to create lasting change. He is both hilarious and infuriating! Lachy Hulme is perfect as Murph who's job it is to mediate between everyone and somehow get some policy up and happening whilst still keeping everyone happy. Very funny stuff! And lots of people are saying how scary it is because it's probably pretty damn close to reality! Maybe slightly exaggerated, but it can't be too far off! Anyway, do your self a favour and watch this show!



Oh, and this has definitely reinvigorated my massive crush on Lachy Hulme....

I just saw "The Dark Knight", the new batman movie for those of you living under a rock. I don't want to spoil any of this movie for anyone, so I'm not even going to review it. I'm not going to say anything about it, other than it is seriously awesome and you have to go see it!

Last night we played a gig at Ruby's Lounge in Belgrave. Great venue that has heaps of massive acts! We really, really enjoyed playing there! Great sound, great vibe, heaps of people. It was just awesome! We're playing there again in about 3 weeks as part of an unsigned band comp. Yay! Should be great! If you can, please come along, because the audience decide the winner and we would love all the support we can get! There are some massive prizes up for grabs and we want them!

After we got off stage last night a couple of girls from Sydney got up and they were brilliant! I recommend you check out Sam & Sarah's music!

And don't forget tonight! Very exciting! The Hollowmen premieres on ABC1 @ 9:30pm. This is the new Working Dog project which looks just awesome! I can't wait!!!

So I have a couple of new album's.
Let's start with Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida'



Now I'm a big Coldplay fan, but this latest album is disappointing. It's not a bad album, but it's not a good album either. It's ok I guess, but I'm not that impressed. The songs don't really grab me as being anything exciting or inventive. It's more of the same. It's actually very U2-esque. Lots of strings and a full sound. I like the song "Viva La Vida', and Violet Hill is good too, but the rest is just a bit meh. Disappointing from such a good band. My favourite Coldplay song of all time is still 'Warning Sign'. So this album is ok, but don't expect great, new things from the guys.



The other new album I bought was Newton Faulkner's 'Hand build by robots'. Now this is a brilliant album! And if you want value for money, it has 17 tracks! This guy is very inventive with the way he plays his guitar, his chord progressions as well as his melodies. I'm a huge fan! Lots of fascinating, intertwining vocals with difficult, inventive guitar work. If you're a fan of good acoustic tunes, then go out and get this one! His lyrics don't always grab me, but what they lack, the music makes up. Although, having said that, he has some very good lyrics too. These tunes really grab me and hold my interest. They are interesting and catchy all at once. I highly recommend this one!

What the?!
That's the best review I can come up with. It's by the guy who make Donnie Darko, Richard Kelly. Now, I liked Donnie Darko, however, this movie is beyond confusing. Take the confusing factor of Donnie Darko, multiply by 500, imagine an alternate reality of present day where we are in WW3 and the government monitors everything the citizens do, and there is an underground neo-marxist movement. Now that you understand the simple part, stop trying to understand anything else. The rest makes very little sense. The characters do odd things, and the story goes places you can't predict, and even when the plot developments are revealed, they still make no sense. Their motivations are unclear and there is no resolution. The resolution that does happen, once again, makes no sense. Just expect no sense. At the end, you'll still have no idea what happened.



Here are some reviews:

If Mulholland Drive had a prettier, younger, and developmentally-challenged sister, it would be Southland Tales.

An incomprehensible, self-indulgent mess of post-apocalyptic anxiety and political paranoia, a confusion of half-baked social critiques, pop-culture references, sci-fi whimsicalities, and anti-corporate satire straining for significance.

Ouch.

Hey fellow bloggers!
I have a new song up on Triple J unearthed!
I'd love for you to jump on and rate the tune. So here's the site if you wanna check it out here
It's called "On My Way"
Yes yes yes... this is shameless self promotion...

I finally got around to seeing "Once" last night. It's the most incredible film! There isn't a huge amount that happens in terms of events, it's more of a character development story. And 60% of the movie is sung. It's not a musical per se. It's about 2 musicians and the music they create together. It's some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard in my life. What talented people they are!

I bought the soundtrack to the film this morning. I can't get enough. And I watched the film again with my family this afternoon. They all really liked it too. If you haven't seen it, go and hire it. That's an order.

I have a new job! Yay! I'm now working in Student Services at Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School. That's where Dad teaches. They needed some extra help so I got a job. Lots of fun! The people there are really great and I get some dosh. Whoo!!! Yeah, good job. I've been working much more than expected too. The lady I was working with has been sick, so I'm doing all her shifts. It's going well really so far.

It's my Mum's 50th today! Yay! Happy birthday Mum! I love you heaps and appreciate you always!

Remember to sign this!
http://www.makepovertyhistory.com.au/healthpetition.aspx


Quick Summary:

Pledge of support
Reducing child mortality and improving maternal health are two of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In Southeast Asia and the Pacific, 16 of the 22 developing countries in the region are NOT on track to achieve Goal 4, a two-thirds reduction in child mortality. Seven countries are NOT on track to achieve Goal 5, reduce maternal mortality by three-quarters.

I support:
1. Increasing aid for basic and reproductive health in Australia's aid program by $400 million, to $1000 million by 2010-11.
2. Improving coordination of international assistance to the region.
3. Resolving major impediments to better health in the region.

On Sunday I headed off to the Mind, Body, Spirit festival with my Mum. Lots of interesting stuff around. I even got my some fisherman pants for $5! Whoo!!! And some super hot chilli sauce. Yummo!

While I don't buy into most of the stuff they had around (and some of it was really out there!) it's interesting to see what is around. In a culture where the new age line of thinking is increasingly popular, I think it's important to be well informed on all the options available to people. If we live in a multi-faith society, shouldn't we know what other faiths/belief systems are out there? I want to be able to engage people in dialogue about spiritual things and if I have no idea where they're coming from, how can I do that? So this was an attempt to understand more of what schools of thought are out there and what kinds of things people believe in. Very interesting.
Did anyone else go?

I sent this around as an email last week, but thought I'd put it on my blog for those I didn't email in case you're interested.

I had an idea. I'm sure most people are aware of TEAR's useful gifts catalogue. If not, check it out here:
http://usefulgifts.org/
I was wanting to get something/lots of things off it just because it seems like a good thing to do. No reason. So, if you are interested in being a part of it, let me know! We'll all pool our money together and get a whole lot of stuff from the catalogue to help those less fortunate who don't have the means to help themselves. Put in whatever you can, and together I think we can get lots of money and help a lot of people and communities!

So I'm planning on buying stuff on Saturday. If you want to be a part of it you'll need to let me know asap. Those of you who want to give me money please do so asap, and those of you who were going to buy stuff yourself off the site with your credit card please feel free to do so and let me know what you got so I can collate the 'results' and share them with everyone. Thanks!

On another note:
I FINISHED MY UNI DEGREE!!! Yesterday was my very last day of classes and I handed in my last assignment! It's such a great feeling! Whoo!!!

A couple of weeks Amy came over to visit from Tassie. I've been slack in getting the photos up, but fear no more! Here they are! We had so much fun! Lots of shopping, hanging out in cool places, and one night we headed into the city and stayed in a hotel. Lots of fun! I miss Amy heaps and it was so awesome to see her again! Marty features heavily in all our photos. Marty is my lovely moose who travels around with me. He lives in my car so he can come on all my fun adventures! He comes everywhere Amy & I go!


I think this is us giggling in our hotel room


Having a beer with Marty


Awesome new gloves we bought at the vic markets! So comfy and warm!


This is Bram, Leonie's son. We caught up for a coffee with them. Lots of fun! Isn't he a cutie?


Eating Lord of the Fries. Yummy! If you haven't tried LOTF you just have to! There are only 2 shops in the city right near flinders st station. Most amazing food ever!


Marty having a soy chai latte. Mmmm....


Our standard Zoolander pose!

One man's hurt, should be another man's problem.

Discuss.
I'll join in in the comments section.

Some of you may already know about this comic website. The funniest thing ever!!! You have to check it out!

Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life? Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let’s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness in a quiet American suburb.

Here are just some of the comics. For the website go here

So today I did it! I got a tattoo! Here it is!



For those who don't know the reason behind it, here it is:
Shalom means everything in it's right place. It's peace, not just the absence of conflict, but everything as it should be, with the world, and in relationships. I think it's lovely. Kind of like my mantra, how I want my life and the world to be.

So there you go! I'm so excited and happy with it! It looks exactly like how I wanted it to. I love it! And yes, it did hurt, but it was bearable. I've had much worse! So worth it though!

I just got back from a great camping trip with Jenny & Alison. We spent 4 days in Porepunkah (near Bright) in country Victoria. I bought a great 6 man tent with my birthday money and we went away to test it out! It passed the test! The place was so stunning! We did some hiking/rock clambering up at Mount Buffalo, and went on a 15km walk to Bright & back. Lots of exercise! And lots of hanging out by a fire at night time with beer, port & marshmallows! It was FREEZING at night time! On the second day we had to go buy more stuff just to stay warm! The first night we couldn't sleep coz we were so cold! It was however, absolutely stunning! The most incredible trees around in their incredible autumn colours! We could not have picked a more beautiful place at this time of year! Here are some photos from the trip.


Our stunning breakfast table by the river each morning!


Alison doing some freelance climbing at Mount Buffalo!


Us at night by our campfire. We make fire! Ug!


If you know me, you'll know I'm not a morning person, as this photo shows... it was so cold!


Squinty us at the horn of Mount Buffalo!


The campsite. Isn't it pretty? That was where we had breakfast, and that is my car and tent in the background.


Jenny & I halfway through our 15km walk


The road leading out of Bright. Pretty!


My tent & car. Yay!

So as you can see we had an awesome trip! Can't wait to go camping again! But I think I'll wait til it gets warmer again!

Why do we seem to be saying that is it not ok for people to be protesting during the torch relay? I strongly disagree with any form of violent protest, but it is understandable that people who are severly passionate about human rights would get physically angry when they are shut down. Still, I'm not condoning violence. Why do we want a 'nice, peaceful' relay? Aren't human rights more important? Or are we more interested in sweeping it under the carpet and washing our hands clean? I do not want any part of ignoring human suffering!

First of all:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR LUKE!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

It's Luke's (Film Guru's) 23rd birthday today! Have a great day Luke! Love you heaps! And now here's a nice photo of us!


Now! Here are some photos from my time in Canberra! I spent 5 days up north in Canberra with Chris for his 30th birthday. Loads of fun! I've never been to Canberra before, so it was cool to go somewhere new. We did the touristy thing and saw the sights of Canberra as well as just hung out. I got to meet heaps of new, awesome people too. This is Chris & I at new Parliment House.



This is from my trip on the way there (I drove the whole way by myself, took about 7 and a half hours). This was at a town called Holbrook. They call themselves the submarine town. However, IT IS ABOUT 200KM INLAND!!! Guh?!


This is Bec & I at Chris' party. We are sooooooooo sexy!


Chris & I at his party


Chris going nuts at the end of the night throwing a plastic chair into an open grassed area. Oh yeah. Rock n roll!


Chris on our touristy day around Canberra. Shiny!


New Parliament House


Chris, Bec & I at Chris' party


More of us at Chris' party


The jumping castle! Yes, Chris hired a jumping castle for his 30th! It was awesome fun! Exhausting, but awesome! There was a band playing too with a full set up! Awesome! Evan played some os his awesome tunes and this other guy did some rapping stuff. They were very impressive! Someone Chris knows can get a full band set up for free, so we had lights, speakers, microphones, everything. Fun stuff!


Me at new Parliament House with our flag in the background.


Me at new Parliament House

All in all I had a great time away. I got to spend time with a good friend, meet awesome new people, see a new place and have a great time!

Here's a site to check out about ethical living! It's about brands and how we can live ethically in modern society.
Ethical Living

Canberra photos coming soon!

And come down to the Espy in St Kilda tonight! I'm singing in Kate Eve's band. We're onstage at 9:30pm in the front bar. And it's free! Hope to see heaps of people there!

I'm off to Canberra for a few days to see my friend Chris. It's his 30th birthday and I'm heading up for the party! So see you all in a while. I'll be back Monday night!

So I'd love to know what everyone's favourite tv shows are. Some of mine are:

Arrested Development, Scrubs, The Office (British), Futurama, Red Dwarf, Boston Legal, Family Guy, American Dad, Angel, Buffy, Firefly, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Heroes, Prison Break, Spicks & Specks, Chasers War on Everything, Dilbert, The Late Show, Newstopia, Peep Show, Thank God You're Here, That Michell & Webb Look

I bought a 6 man tent today. It's so exciting! I have it half set up in my lounge room, but it won't fit, I can't put the whole thing up. It's a 2 room tent and I LOVE IT!!! I got it with my birthday money, I just made up the difference. I am so excited by my new toy! I may even sleep in it tonight. I have one room set up. I'll have to post a photo when I take one!

Ok, some movie reviews!

SWEENEY TODD

What a brilliant film! I was sooo impressed! I went in there with pretty high expectations because I love Tim Burton and adore Johnny Depp. Johnny is my favourite actor of all time! He is so versatile and talented. And it doesn't hurt that he just happens to be the sexiest man alive. The film was so well done. Brilliant acting all round. The actors bought such life to the story. Not that it needs any help. It's a brilliant stage musical in it's own right. The way Burton brought it to life on the screen was inspired. The unknown actors were pleasantly surprising. Talk about talent! I would suggest that Helena Bonham Carter isn't a great singer, but it hardly matters because she had so much depth of character. She isn't a terrible singer, but she certainly isn't a strong one, but her fullness of character made up for any lack of vocal strength. Alan Rickman is brilliant as the judge. His voice is just perfect for the role. And that kid? Wow! The lighting scheme fits perfectly, the songs were amazing and the acting was brilliant. I went out and bought the soundtrack the very next day and have memorised pretty much the whole thing! Go see it if you haven't already. 5 stars!



10,000 BC

Wow. So disapointing. I saw it this morning and I'm glad I didn't have to pay for it (Thanks Steve!). Slow, not much story, predicatble, cliche, need I go on? For a movie that's promo'd as having heaps of action, it has had hardly any. And the final battle scene? Totally lame. Some giant mamoths run down a ramp and a guy falls off a pyramid. And some spears get thrown. The end. Don't bother seeing it if you were going to. I am yet to see a good review and now I know why. Some really nice sweeping shots of snow covered mountains though. Pretty! But not worth 2 hours of my time. The acting wasn't particularly expressive either. And that old woman? What the? Kind of lame... 1 star.

It's my birthday!!! I'm 26 today. I love birthdays! I'm always in a good mood, people are nice to you, and you get to do fun stuff! Whoo!!!

Doesn't it just made you mad? The injustice in the world? The deliberate choices of people (after all, a company is just people making choices) that lead to death and poverty and misery? How can we live in a world where people can dismiss others as insignificant or just numbers? It really pisses me off! I just watched the film "The Constant Gardener", and while I know it's just a film, it's not too far from reality. Watch a film called "The girl in the cafe". Powerful stuff. We have the power to change things. Why does such multi-national tyranny still exist in a world where no one need go hungry, or lack basic medical care? Why are things still so shitty when they don't need to be? Why are we all so selfish?

Thanks so much to everyone who came to Kate's album launch last night! It was such a great time! I had so much fun and everything sounded so good! Kate is a very talented woman. It was a full house which is great! Unfortunately I don't have any photos from the night, but I am getting a recording of it which will be great! If you missed it and still want to catch a performance with most of the same band then come along this Monday! Details:

Monday March 3rd
We're on stage at 10pm, but 2 bands playing before us
Cornish Arms
163 Sydney Road
Brunswick
$6 entry

Hope to see some of you there!