My gardening boots recently suffered a golden indignity as part of a costume for a friends birthday. Everyone needed to wear a little touch of gold to celebrate in style.
Today, the boots were returned to active service during the mowing of the lawn. What will the neighbours think?? Do you think they might know I am gay? Or does everyone have fancy gardening gear these days....??
This post should be filed under 'stupid things I think when I should be studying'.
Arrrrrgh....I've done it!
I reached the point of too much thinking about it, and decided to go and actually buy myself the Canon EOS 40D 'Enthusiasts kit'. This kit has a great lens which has both macro and zoom functions.
The camera was cheaper than I was expecting. Once I mentioned that I was pricing the camera I wanted in several different shops, the salesman suddenly dropped the price by $200.
Its brilliant!
I am in love already. But I am in love with a mystery. A creature of many unknown shades and facets. Of wily ways and powerful techniques. Together, we will explore these mysteries and descend into a boring tirade of geek-speek! Cool...
I must thank all of you who offered advice on the choice of camera, and direction to the important websites to visit. The best sites, among the millions to wade through were:
DPreview Camera Labs Forums Photo Review PassionForPixels
I was very much in the mood for this film tonight. Having spent a little too much time in my own company over the last few days, this film about temporary madness hit the spot.
This tale tells of a man struggling to have real human contact in the world around him, presumably due to his isolation following his parent's death.
All characters were powerful, and played well. The absolutely gorgeous Paul Schneider distracted me a little, but not as much as the loud laughing woman in the cinema did...! Apart from her cackle, I was engrossed in this film.
Although billed as a comedy, this was not laugh-out-loud humor. Unless, of course, you had tanked yourself up on alcohol or happy pills before the film. This was instead a film for laughing on the inside, with an occasionally cringing of recognition at some of Lar's deranged thought processes.
Or maybe it was just me.
If you have every had lonely moments, where you question your sanity and ability to re-connect with those that love you, then this is a film for you. Lars takes this feeling to the extreme, using a silicon babe as an outlet for his trapped emotions. The film shows the re-emergence of his human feelings, and ability to interact.
It is a wonderfully warm film. It has humour, beautiful scenery and a happy ending. Don't miss it...
Been cheating on your partner? Feeling guilty? Would like to pay to offset the guilt?
Why not visit CheatNeutral.com and find someone to take on the responsibility of your actions. A very funny satirical commentary on carbon trading. Thanks to John's Wheelbarrow for the heads up.
You are not forgotten, dear reader. Nor have I retired the blog.
I am just a tad low on the energy front with work, study and supporting friends. And throw in a little bit of stress induced existential thinking.
All is good, just tired ... I'm off to play Sim City 4 before going for a bike ride.
The Rudd Government has impressed again with its prompt review of, and introduction of legislation to correct, 100 discriminatory federal laws. Laws which prevent equality under the law in matters of inheritance, superannuation and automatic medical power of attorney (ability to be the main spokesperson for your partner).
I am not of the school that thinks the absence of marriage, adoption or access to IVF diminishes this achievement. These proposed changes alone fill me with a sense that I will become much less a second-class citizen in my own country. And they are likely to be supported by the federal opposition.
The Age reports:
"The changes will provide for equality of treatment under a wide range of Commonwealth laws between same-sex and opposite-sex de facto couples," Mr McClelland will say today.
"They will make a practical difference to the everyday lives of a group of our fellow Australians who have suffered discrimination under Commonwealth laws for far too long."
The changes will apply in tax, superannuation, social security, health, aged care, veterans' payments, workers' compensation and employment entitlements.
Under existing laws, gay partners cannot inherit each others financial entitlements such as superannuation, veterans' pensions or workers' compensation. They can also be excluded from hospital visiting rights or exercising automatic medical power of attorney for one another.
When I found this clip of the Alfred Hitchcock's version of The 39 Steps, I realized why last nights play by MTC was so funny.
The drama and acting in the original film is delightfully overplayed. The MTC parody by Patrick Barlow had many poignant moments to choose from ... and used many of them well. The original story, which I have never read, was by John Bucan in 1915. Alfred Hitchcock's film version from 1935 I have seen several times. I must admit however, I have always struggled to remember the part played by the 39 steps. It doesn't really matter, last night was mostly spent laughing.
There is a very clever, and fast paced train scene where the four cast members rapidly shift between a multitude of characters with simple prop effects. Sometimes as simple as changing a hat and an accent. Running on the moors is performed with a large silhouette screen, complete with a subtle, portly Hitchcock, well know for implanting a brief image of himself into each of his films. Death scenes reintroduced old comedy routines. Predictable yet funny. In all, a great nights entertainment.
Mike has a more thorough review over at On Stage (and Walls) Melbourne.
Here is a taste of the 1935 film...
Help, I am a little lost!
I want a new camera, a digital SLR this time, for an upcoming trip to Broome, Darwin and Kakadu. But I am seriously stuck between the Nikon D80 and the Canon 40D.
My goal is to continue to grow my (early) photographic knowledge and skills after using a point-and-shoot (Canon Powershot S2 IS) for several years. I will be viewing images both in print and on a Mac computer screen.
I would appreciate any advice from someone with knowledge or experience!
Try this bit of casual purveying to help you pass the time... 
Its harmless, its free, its fun, and you don't need to register.
Let me know what you think. Have I regressed too far?
Don't tell my bf where you found the link!
Found through Shaney's LBGTBloggers
A film for your inner goth.
Courtesy of Slava Mogutin, a blog to get lost in for hours.
I have always been a bit of a sucker for Pie Jesu. If I remember correctly, it is part of the formal structure of a traditional requiem mass. I have heard many variations over the years and, in the right mood, I can be moved to tears.
Mozart's version would be my favorite requiem mass, with Dvořák very a close second. Andrew Lloyd-Webber's version is probably the most popular version, with the Pie Jesu sung in a very moving way by British lad Andrew Johnston. His singing is preceded by a moving story about struggling with being different at school.
I acknowledge that many others have also posted this clip: The Mangina Monologues, Aussielicious, and Towleroad, Dr Benton Quest ...
| Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu, Pie Jesu, Qui tollis peccata mundi; Dona eis requiem, Dona eis requiem. Angus Dei, Angus Dei, Angus Dei, Angus Dei, Qui tollis peccata mundi; Dona eis requiem, Dona eis requiem. Sempiternam, sempiternam requiem. | Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy, You who take away the sins of the world; Grant them peace, Grant them peace. Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, Lamb of God, You who take away the sins of the world; Grant them peace, Grant them peace. Peace everlasting, everlasting. |
What is it with Melbourne drivers and their indicators?
It is not a toy flashing light! It is not a game in which you need to surprise the challengers with last minute decision making! It is not a disco!
Somehow, Melbourne drivers seem to have forgotten the simple use of indicating BEFORE they change lanes on a multi-lane road. Instead, they crane their necks looking for gaps in adjacent lanes, wait until it is only big enough for a matchbox car, and then start moving into that gap.
Once halfway into the gap, they indicate. As an afterthought!!!
OK, it is true that I have just finished a night shift and am a little weary, BUT, it does seem such a simple thing to do. Indicate 50-100m ahead of moving gently into the gap your fellow motorists will make for you.
Perhaps I am a dreamer...
The Black Balloon is a 'delightful' film about coming to terms of the world in which you live.
The lead character is a youth growing into love/lust, and an understanding of his place in the world. His place is complicated by the demands placed upon him by his autistic, older brother who also has attention deficit disorder.
'Delightful' is perhaps a bit harsh, as I really enjoyed laying back on the leather couches at The Sun's La Scala theatre, watching the Black Balloon with some great company. The story was together. Significantly less jerky than some aussie films. The acting believable, although the father seemed to move from boofhead to meaningful during the film.
The setting was quintessential australian youth, beautifully filmed and easy to associate with. Perhaps the school uniforms have changed over the years, but the trials of teenage hormones are well displayed.
The story is not deep, but I was moved by the lead character's angst and conflict. Growing up is hard to do, especially if you feel your needs will always play second fiddle to those of your dependent siblings.
Definitely a film to catch, if only to remember the loves and demands of youth.
I have a sense that thing are happening.
After years of backward-looking, socially repressive government, Kevin Rudd gives me a feeling that humanism may be returning. Money, as Howard's primary driver, is taking a back seat. Still important, but not a more important discussion than society and people.
We can talk about being a republic again, and not fear a biased public debate. Rudd has spoken to the Queen about this.
Rudd includes Tibet in talks with the Chinese, rather than ignoring the issue in place of our financial interests.
Troops will return from Iraq.
At home, health and education are being revisited. Perhaps there will still be hard times ahead with these, but I would happily abandon any tax cuts in favor of fixing the sustained stress being felt by both service industries.
And the aboriginal need for equality in health, housing, education, and self-determination are back in the public domain rather than a shame that dare-not-speak-its-name. With actions designed to do more than win votes.
The world is changing, and we seem to be joining it again. Just a personal view, but so far, I like what Rudd is doing.
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