The Night Torn Mad With Footsteps

Managed to get my hands on some more Charles Bukowski this weekend.

'A Song With No End'

when Whitman wrote, "I sing the body electric"

I know what he

meant

I know what he

wanted:

to be completely alive every moment

in spite of the inevitable.

we can't cheat death but we can make it

work so hard

that when it does take

us

it will have known a victory just as

perfect as

ours.

Even after a sociable weekend i had time to think about music, and felt like making a list of albums i just couldnt go without.. these are albums that are completely amazing start to finish and have meant something to me through my teenage years. Just thought i'd share. Feel free to try them out for yourself.

Who Killed Amanda Palmer? - Amanda Palmer
A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay
Dresden Dolls - The Dresden Dolls
Yes Virginia - The Dresden Dolls
Fire - Electric Six
Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
You Could Have It So Much Better - Franz Ferdinand
Black Cherry - Goldfrapp
Gorillaz - Gorillaz
Demon Days - Gorillaz
Grinderman - Grinderman
Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park
Meteora - Linkin Park
A Certain Trigger - Maximo Park
Our Earthly Pleasures - Maximo Park
Absolution - Muse
Origin of Symmetry - Muse
Showbiz - Muse
Abattoir Blues / Lyre of Orpheus - Nick Cave
The Boatman’s Call - Nick Cave
Let Love In - Nick Cave
No More Shall We Part - Nick Cave
Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down - Noah and The Whale
Americana - Offspring
Ixnay On The Hombre - Offspring
Smash - Offspring
Hold Your Colour - Pendulum
Meds - Placebo
Placebo - Placebo
Sleeping With Ghosts - Placebo
Songs For The Deaf - Queens Of The Stone Age
Lullabies To Paralyze - Queens Of The Stone Age
In Rainbows - Radiohead
Rage Against The Machine - Rage Against The Machine
Mezmerize - System Of a Down
Contra - Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
With Love and Squalor - We Are Scientists
Elephant - The White Stripes
A Guide To Love, Loss and Desperation - The Wombats

The Gentle Art

Recently, a lack of activity brought about by injury and general laziness has spurred me into finally getting myself off my arse and doing something.

So... whilst raking up the hours at work i have managed to get myself sent home early for the last two Wednesdays! whoop! This gave me time to get down the beach and do some surfing. Maybe when i find a beach buddy i can get them to take a snapshot to put up and prove i can surf!

As well as beaching it I've discovered and urge to get myself fit again. Whilst the soccer season is out i need to work hard to stay in shape. Too much drinking will take its toll! So besides finding a group fitness session to throw myself into, Ive decided to take up something that will push my mind and my body while i also learn how to defend myself.

Traditional Japanese Jujitsu.

I've always been fascinated by the Samurai. The skill, dedication and way of life. So i thought why not take up something I'm interested in and jujitsu was the samurai's way of defending himself when unarmed on the battlefield. This may be handy on the apparently dangerous streets of Northbridge.. HA!

It's hard. I can usually pick things up very quick. But this requires practice, dedication and patience. I want to take this seriously... lets hope i can stay focused. I also get to train with weapons. Who doesn't want an excuse to have a real samurai sword?

Anyways. Work Work Work as per usual. Lets hope this weekend holds something a bit more exciting.

Stand and Deliver!

Its that time of the year when we all get dressed up for no reason and get suitably drunk... also for no reason but have lots of fun! Havent really done a proper halloween costume for a long time so I tried to make an effort this year.

After getting invited to a house party by Jasmin's lovely mum I thought why not! So after not a lot of thinking about it I headed to the nearest costume store and started browsing. After a purchase, and finding a few little bits for the finishing looks, I managed ( I think ) to pull off Adam Ant! 

Angela put on a great spread, and made an amazing effort with the decorations of Reddington Manor! I thought the Aussies never really celebrated halloween? It seems bigger than xmas for the Reddingtons!

Everywhere you looked it was creepy ghouls, spiders, skulls and all sorts!

Caught up with Rhiannon the pirate and had a good time!

As per usual the rest of this week was just work, work, work. Argh christmas is going to be sooo busy it's going to be mental! At least I'll have lots of money for New Zealand YAY! 13 weeks to go...

Just a quickie today...

This weeks just been more working. Fun times. Hung out with kiesha and tommy sunday for a nice catch up. Looking forward to halloween next week though! YAY! Got a cool costume.

Been practicing on my lovely piano! Finally recieved my dresden dolls sheet music book things..

Got something to learn now. Woop.

Punching in a Dream

Awesome new band from New Zealand have me listening to their debut album at the moment. 'The Naked and Famous'.

Definitely worth a listen. In particular 'Punching in a Dream' and 'Young Blood'.

Not a lot to say about it as i've only just got it but yeh it sounds great so far!

Also....

I've managed to complete my Dragonball Z collection! Which means not only do i have hours of awesome anime to watch but also some new material to draw from. Woop!

I obviously have far too much time on my hands but i dont care!!

But hey.. here's a proof of me socialising last friday with a couple of lovely girls... so u wont see any more pics for a while... haha!



Strength Through Music

Busra this one's for you. I really need to do this on a regular!! So thanks for the kick up the backside!

Last few weeks have been fairly average i suppose. The absence of a certain person has left coming back to Australia just not as fun as when i left it. Don't know if you ever read this but you know who you are. And i miss my friends in the UK obviously. Am just finding it hard getting back into the swing of things i think. I wish people understood sometimes. Started a new job however and the money is ok, meaning that should a trip to New Zealand be on the cards after xmas i should be able to afford it. Cant wait for that!

Friday i actually socialised. Was a nice afternoon, clocked off early from work to run down to the Breakwater. Had a few drinks to celebrate Rhiannons birthday and i think she was glad people turned up as it was difficult on a work day! Was very nice to see some familiar faces. As per usual my camera was absent from the venue. :-( woops

But saturday, after work i managed to buy myself something i have wanted ever since i've had an unhealthy obsession with music.

Thats right I bought a piano. Something to keep me sane while at home.

I admit that my recent re-found love for the Dresden Dolls and lead singer Amanda Palmer may have urged me towards it but its a beautiful object nonetheless. I can play a little bit but the whole reason i bought it is to learn on. Ahhh.. Amanda ...

While all you teenage girls fantasise about being abducted by vampires and whatever the hell twilight is all about; im listening to Amanda Palmer. Either solo or as half the Dresden Dolls, her frantic piano bashing, powerful voice, charm and devilishly good looks have me hooked. So screw all your manufactured Britney and Christina wanabees. I dont care how blonde they are, or how big their boobs are nothing compares to the different, talented and beautiful Amanda :P

So leading on to my music taste this time. Its all about 'The Dresden Dolls'. Brian Viglione (seen here) on the drums and Amanda Palmer on the piano and vocals are the band, originally from Boston.

They have been with me for years but i've recently re-ignited the spark of excitement I get when I listen to them. All their albums are amazing ofcourse. Would i say anything else? They go from soft and happy to slow and haunting to fast and frantic. A variety of pure genius music for music lovers.

Amanda also has an album by herself called 'Who killed Amanda Palmer?'. Its equally as good as the Dolls if not better. I dont usually get obsessed easily and i actually look down on celebrity idolising... but what can i say...

A New Start!

Back in oz at last enjoying the early sun! Ventured to the beach for a quick surf, and realised i hadn't done it for a while and sufficiently sucked arse... wasn't the best conditions for a wannabee. Nearly drowned twice!!  But having got my driving licence a trip to the beach was a must.

Saturday night had some quiet drinks with friends. Was good fun catching up over cocktails made in a food blender... hmmm.

Also started my new job today. Went well methinks. Its not hard. Its all veggie cutting, washing, more cutting, more washing... i enjoyed it today. Well you would if you're on 18 bucks an hour for doing it!

Return of the album of the week!

It's a very easy choice.

In all his wisdom.

 Nick Cave.

Love it.

Yay.

!!

!

If you're not familiar with Nick Cave... Where do i begin?

He's Australian, he is like 50 years old but omg if anyone can write a song its him. He plays with his band called the Bad Seeds. Sure he isn't the best singer but the music is great and the lyrics are incredible. Each and every song takes you on a journey, a story if u will. They vary from heart warming love ballads to some mad blood frenzied loverman yearning after ... well just sex really. 

Each album is different, 'murder ballads' is literally that. Tales of murders of various kinds. But simply brilliant. Then a bit more mellow there is 'no more shall we part', 'the boatman's call', 'nocturama', and 'abbotoir blues'. These are all recent albums.

 His earlier work is much more raw but still gripping all the same. The song 'the mercy seat' is one of his most famous early songs. Recent songs you may now from films like Shrek, with 'people just ain't no good'. I want to recommend songs but i cant. Theres too many, on my ipod alone i have over 200 of his songs..ahhh obsessed much!

Anyways i digress. I meant to tell of  his latest work with the band Grinderman (Cave and three of the bad seeds just doing their own thing..)

They just released their second album. And I'm so so happy that they are coming to Big Day Out!! Which will be awesome, as German super heavy rockers Rammstein are also present.

Like during his early days this album (called Grinderman 2) is raw and powerful. Just what Grinderman intended. Why does no one experiment anymore? i hate manufactured pop or rap/r&b or anything like that... i hate the charts atm. So yeh i recommend it. you must must must listen to the song 'Star Charmer.' It's a b-side to the song 'Heathen child' off the album.  

Like a far flung star, there you are

Glitter less than before.

As you slip from my fingertips

Left me here on the burning shore.

I searched and searched, You were worth so much

More than you ever thought you were.

Everything  you believed, I still carry with me

Broken down on the burning shore.

 A Daddy's girl,

I see you curl

Asleep upon the floor.

 Maybe you dream a little dream of me...

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na....

Amongst seeing heaps of my favourite peoples ever the past two weeks, I've also been spending time doing what i love best. Fighting crime. By day I'm your average Joe. By night I'm the caped crusader himself.

That's right...don't act like you're not impressed. Unfortunately the bat mobile was still in the garage, so we had to get on the bat bus.

The last two weekends have been adrenaline pumped and full of pain. Went paint balling twice and what a time we had. Daring hit and runs, rushing through smoke and avoiding grenades. The first week we destroyed everything in our path, storming buildings and bunkers alike. None made it out alive.

This sunday however the mood was lighter, but we still kicked arse. Well, we had to...

When you are dressed like this, its do or die. Even though we were walking targets, Batman and Robin recieved players of the day; often dashing through air thick with paint bullets on suicide runs to capture flags. Brilliant times. But you come back with some nice bruises, even through the muscles... (which are real ofcourse).

Just one more week of frantic socialising before i fly from home here to home in oz. Looking forward to it, but another couple of weeks here would have been nice.

What's my age again?

Aaaaaah. Reading Festival 2010. Need i say more?

I was in there somewhere! I went mainly to see Blink 182 but had a great time as to be expected. Got suitably drenched, muddy and covered with beer. Excellent!!

What a line up! it was epic. My good friend Hannah accompanied me and we had a brilliant time watching all the crazy drunk lunatics and smelly people who had been there for 4 days!

Was all about Blink 182. Especially the flying rotating drum kit that actually went upside down during a drum solo. Dont believe me? What do people say?... erm google it... or something.

Brothers, when will we be three again my brothers?

Arrived back in a London covered by a layer of strange grey floating carpets... oh wait... these are clouds! i had almost forgotten what they looked like. Whizzed through security with my fantastic English passport before stumbling out into arrivals and waiting for ages looking for someone i recognised to come and get me! It was my mum's birthday so i had friends arrange to pick me up because i wanted to surprise her. And i did, though i think she had a hunch.

After dealing with the family around for mums birthday we went bowling. By the time i went to bed i hadn't slept in 48 hours. Damn flight times! But i get to see my mum and my brothers.

I was born into a family of nutcases...

All in all its good to be back but i have already walked through town thinking... what a shit hole. But having my brothers around me and my friends lining up to see me it makes putting up with this country and the long flight all worth it.

For the Uneducated...

Sure this is for one musically challenged person in particular, but its time for my favourite album this week anyways... seeing as I'm gonna be busy sorting out my trip to the UK for the next couple of nights!! 

Reminded of it, when someone said mumford and sons, i quickly fiddled with my ipod and blasted out my favourite London Folk music. Noah and The Whale. Their debut album 'Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down' is a masterpiece.

Everyone I've recommended it to loves it. Its obviously a bunch of teenage guys armed with acoustic guitars and a drumset singing about girls. It's soft yet sometimes upbeat, especially '5 years time'. Most the songs are super catchy despite them being luvvy duvvy. If you've recently broken up best not to listen to it! Leila I've put a few tunes on a CD for you but this is the album they are off! Buy this album! haha

Other favourite this week, as ever is all Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds stuff... he is my favourite artist...

Dare i say it even more so than Muse? and i looooove Muse...

As you can see, been into the softy stuff this week. Maybe thrash it up next week when the new Klaxons album is out. Massive excitement!!

When you get bored and start drawing things...

Heres a few drawings i did recently. This is what happens when ur friends leave the country and you are stuck in on a friday night. Plus im skint at the moment because im saving for my trip back to the uk. Yes they are Dragonball Z characters but hey i love anime. And heck its easy to draw too!

Hope someone thinks they arent too bad.

You've been sentenced to death by sexy

Album of the week.... thought this might be a nice way to make sure i do something once a week at least on here. Simple really. Just whatever album I've enjoyed listening to this week I'll post.

This week its The Eagles Of Death Metal with... 'Death By Sexy'.

The title pretty much sums it up. An album of sexy rock and roll. Its not unlike Queens of the Stone Age, namely because the qotsa frontman Josh Homme is half the band. His style of sexy riffs and dirty lyrics, apparent throughout qotsa albums oozes sexiness and forces your body to move in ways you thought rock and roll would never allow.

 If u look them up they look like american neo nazi's ... but they're not. Josh Homme is infact the smexiest ginger i think I've ever seen.

Or put in a way that's not so gay.. if i had to be a carrot top then I'd wanna be him! Ok, still sounds a bit strange.

While we're on the subject Josh also teamed up with Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones to form a Superband. They are called 'Them Crooked Vultures' and are definitely worth a listen.

Because she wanted pictures...

Special request for you leila... some random pics to fulfill your thirst while i attempt to plan something interesting and gather a scraps evidence of me having a life. :P enjoy

Recently in thailand with my favourite little buddy i met at the croc farm.

I heart animals.

Back in the school days (seems so long ago now)

Always seem to be surrounded by beautiful people! lucky me.

Coming to Oz i have to try and be a surfer dude... i can surf.. honest

So there... thats most of the very few pics i have of me. Ill try and make this a bit more interesting!!

Promise...

The beggining of something beautiful?

Well, this is my first blog ever. I want to say so much dribble yet i know no one will be reading this. Well not yet anyways. Persuaded by the lovely Leila at work i thought i would give this a go. I want to show my friends in the UK when i go back and i hope they might use this as a way of keeping track of me! It just seems so much more personal than facebook! Wouldn't you agree?

This is obviously a work in progress.. a way of me trying something new to tackle my thankfully decreasing loneliness in this new but beautiful city. But watch this space..