Items that make life worth living

My lovely friend Pat returned from the Uk last week and last night I had the opportunity to chat to him for the first time in about year.

He seems to be developing one of those very thick growth rings aournd his trunk at the moment and experiencing that familiar "what the fuck am I doing here" post trip trauma, bless. We talked for a long time about all the things that happened to each other during our separation especially his new found sexual confidence and my swing from bordering on alcoholic/sex addict behaviours of late last year due to (PSS) post sister stress to the current glow of new relationship/life is good, I am great, what was I even worrying about? expansiveness

It was good to speak to him as P rarely shies away from asking himself the deeper questions and frankly any one who listens to my theory of eternal happiness must be a mate. (theory entails - go forward, laugh hard, keep your heart open, flex your mind, love yourself, don't take it too seriously, existence is equal parts pleasure and pain etc etc)

Importantly, the conversation made me realise just how far forward in my life I have come from the terrible feelings I had last year. But, since my sister and her partner (my ex) are yet to have the baby I'm sure that I have a lot more feelings to process and decisons to make. For instance the biggest question facing me at the moment is - how much involvment should I have in the life of the as yet unborn child? How will I reconcile my familial love with a deep seated and not quite fully healed anger that I still have towards my sister and to a lesser extent my ex?


This post is much deeper than usual as my rekindled desire for new things, friendships and intimacy are bringing some of these issues to the surface again. This is not post of depression at all more of a idle wandering through some questions I think I have put off for too long. For levity, here, look at this picture to take your mind off things



Oh and for those who found this post terminally boring I suggest the following blogs of "new on my radar" interest. Just find em in the links

Sternezine
The Cruddy Awards (guess who entered?)
StrangeMadness
Petite Dov
Tremble

MY FIRST PHOTOSHOOT

HELLO!, I'M A FRIEND OF LADYCRACKER'S. THEY LET ME LOOSE WITH A CAMERA ON THE WEEKEND. LET'S HAVE A LOOK AT MY ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS SHALL WE?

Easter

the words soapy titfuck, white roses, hand written letters, the park, holding hands on the way to the park, dinners, scrabble, winning scrabble, the princess bride, the balcony on the riveria, miracle sticks, lighting cigarettes, back scratches, hip bones.

My new Favourite Show

Last night Nighty Night premiered on ABCTV - fucking hilarious people. With cast from League of Gentleman, Human Remains and Alan Patridge, it has made me feel a little better about no more Little Britain.

Spoke to the NLI last night.
Happy sighs
happy sighs
happy sighs
happy sighs

I'm not sure when this blog turned into a bad rip off of Bridget Jones but I promise it will not continue. Regular programming will resume once I stabilise my blood sugar or something.

NOTE - This is too bloody funny Thanks to Lindsayism

Jayzus

Your Seduction Style: Siren / Rake

You possess an unbridled sensuality that appeals to many. The minute you meet anyone, you can make the crave you almost immediately. You give others the chance to lose control with you... spiraling into carnal bliss. A dangerous lover, you both fascinate and scare those you attract.

What Is Your Seduction Style?

I just found out the saddest thing

The Crayon Pony Fish doesn't actually exist....

I'm so sad I wanted to buy one this weekend. Boo Hoo.

Choctops, Coffee and Conversation

Last night I met blogging buddy number 2

He does not look like this..



OR this...


In fact he was an all together charming young man.
We went and saw The Door in the Floor at the Nova. What a strange film. I had no idea whether it was supposed to be a drama or comedy and Jeff Bridges was channelling the big Lebowski with this lovely lavender night gown thing he was wearing.





Spot the difference?
Plus there was a shitload of nipple action from all of the female cast

While we were discussing our various nerdy obsessions we thought that it might be good to have a drinking night soon y'now grogblogging style. Is there going to be another one this year?
I missed the last through a bad case of shyness. I'm serious don't laugh. Bastards.

In Absence

In absence of anything of note happening to me today (surprise, surprise being deskbound) Here is list of curent aural pleasures, whether they be albums or singles.

Devo - Gut Feeling ( Mark Mothersbaugh you are a bloody genius)
General Patton and the Executioner's
The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
Marriane Faithful - Before the Poison
Bloc Party
The Volunteers - One Line Drawing
Virgin Suicides Soundtrack
Hot Snakes - Audit In Progress
Big Black - Songs about Fucking
Blue States - The Soundings

Some are just those songs that you repeat when you go on long drives some are lovely to fall asleep to.

Any recommendations out there? Or current lists of aural goodness?

But I did get out in the sun!

Quick post. Great weekend. New love interest (hereby known as NLI - must protect the reputation of the innocent) is an absolutely charming, gorgeous man. Example of general greatness is this: In reference to conversation from last week's date he was going to get both of our favourite OZ films out from the video store so we could watch them together. That is just complete hotness - can he read minds?

I did get out and about yesterday rather than lie around and eat and read as I usually do. I went swimming and got into the garden.

However too much sun is bad for me and I did watch lots of films also. A sample of my viewing will be represented by the below comparison of the best line and the worst line I heard

THE BEST

(to Budd, as he is dying) Now in these last agonizing minutes of life you have left, let me answer the question you asked earlier more thoroughly. Right at this moment, the biggest "R" I feel is Regret. Regret that maybe the greatest warrior I have ever known, met her end at the hands of a bushwhackin, scrub, alky piece of shit like you. That woman deserved better.

THE WORST

Is it still raining? I hadn't noticed.

you see?

The Kill Bill marathon has inspired me to look into getting some fencing lessons. What a sexy sport that is.

A Day of firsts

I met my first blogging buddy today. I'm so proud She is hot lady and so is her mama.

At Bill Bailey.. He signed my Black Books Collectors Edition - Ladycracker!
And there was lots of people there, a testimony to my brilliance as a publicist. Thanks don't mention it.
Tell 'em I looked hot Desci.

And a word from THE HOFF

I almost forgot THE HOFF has a holiday greeting for the world - Curses!

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou or my life as a film geek

I had the very wonderful pleasure of attending a preview of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou last night at the Classic Cinema and being a HUGE Wes Anderson fan and counting The Royal Tenenbaums in my ten favourite films every year, I was pretty bloody excited.

I love Wes Anderson films because the props and details are always so visually appealing. You can tell that the production design team think of every little part of the personality to be depicted and add in all these fantastic little details.

So from this film, my favourite details are:
1. the Crayon Pony Fish
2. the Team Steve Zissou Fan Club Ring
3. Cate Blanchett's hair
4. Angelica Huston's cigarettes

While this films wasn't as life affiriming as The Royal Tenenbaums is, and didn't reduce me to tears like Rushmore, it was still beautiful and full of that wonderful Wes-like dialogue.

Even better is that I am now the proud owner of Team Zissou shirt as modelled above by the rather dashing Owen Wilson.
I won the Wes Anderson quiz.
To be truthful - I did cheat on one question but I was still a pretty clear winner I reckon - thanks to partner in quiz crime Barclay.
So film heavy! - I'll get out in the sun next week.

MQFF 2

Last night I went and saw two films at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival as T and I are having a terrible fight at the moment and I can't stand to be in the house.

I went and saw this and this.

Both films dealt with my favourite subjects, alternative sexuality, art, creativity and aesthetic challenges.

Liberty in Restraint was particularly appealing as it was Australian and I think Noel Graydon is a very good photgrapher particularly this image which was in response to the Hollingworth/ Pell controversy of a few years ago. Also I find kink and fetish incredibly compelling, beautiful. The details are so wonderfully delicious.

Venus of Mars was about a couple who moved through transgender together. They are both creators and there was lots archival footgae of their experimental obsessions in the eighties. In fact I don't think I have seen a more self obsessed couple ever.

A good thought provoking couple of hours.

Note to self - Rock and Roll will never die

The post you have all been waiting for

Ok.... the date went GREAT!
I wore a red and white spanish style dress with a ruffle with a black top, discreet little heels and my hair was tied back Spanish style - So I looked rather hot I thought.

He picked me up at 7 and we went to see movie at the Nova - Illustrated Family Doctor which I didn't mind and he thought was woeful. I had a bailey's choctop and he had a vanilla.

Then we went to get something to eat, I was so butterfly-ee that I could barely eat my pasta. We chatted about our fave books and films and funny stories from our life and it was all very smooth and good.

Then we decided to go for a drink so down to Pugg Malone's as it was the only place open and I didn't want to break the rhythm by driving somewhere else. Had a few drinks there and talked about our familes and stuff. I told him how my dream is to open a day spa and he was very complimentary about my ability to be the face of such an establishment ( sigh.. flattery will get you anywhere)
The *blog* was mentioned but there is no way that he is getting the address that is for sure. Desci your fella doesn't know yours does he?


Then he drove me home. (insert goodnight here) and then I went inside, made myself a vodka and smiled at the ceiling for an hour before I went to bed.

I had a really really good time and he has already called again to do something this week. Success!


But... that was not the only exciting thing that happened to me this weekend.

AC you are going to pee your pants..

I ended up backstage and the Black Keys on Friday night, quite by accident. It as an unbelievably good show. These guys are the tightest musicians around they played for ever and it has officially entered my top five shows of all time which also includes:
1. King For Day Tour Brisbane Festival Hall - Faith No More 1995
2. BDO Melbourne (1999?) - Primal Scream
3. Melbourne Festival Hall - Queens Of the Stone Age 2004
4. Sydney Myer Music Bowl - Nick Cave and the Bads Seeds/Calexico/Neko Case Dec 2003

I got to meet them both and then went for a few drinks with them at Cherry.

Oooooh I'm am such a rock whore!!!! I've got some crap photos that I took on my camera phone and so I don't know if I will even post them. That is how unprepared I was - I didn't have my camera dammit.

aaahhh.... life is good.

Holy Shit

I have a date this weekend
What am I going to wear?
Say?
Do?
Think?
I'm very very nervous

Mqff

It is that time of the year again where I go away and hide in a small dark room for ten days and look at my handiwork.

As part of the selection committee for MQFF which started last night in Melbourne I get to see about half an hour of over 300 films, choose the best and then wait in anticipation for the whole shebang in March.

This year my highest recommendation is
Love in Thoughts a German drama from 2004. It features absinthe parties, lust, betrayal and a good dose of eye candy.

The opening night was last night and as always I have a really good time. The food is good, the drinks flow and this year was much less crowded than last year. The opening film D.E.B.S.
is hilarious! Had so much fun with it and the cast were these four hot girls in tiny little school uniforms who are spies for the US government. CAMP with a capital C! Woo Hoo!

No matter what your sexual preference there is heaps to see at this festival. So if anyone is into films with twist you should check it out.

The truths of a dinner party

1.Naturalism magazines are not only funny, they are disturbing
2. I have total recall on all mid eighties new romantic band members.
3. Fat Cat sucked and is a communist and Humphrey B Bear
4. Potatoes are good at any meal including dessert.
5. Noise rock is very loud and not really enjoyed by everyone.
6. The Cremaster Cycle is a bit much
7. Certain ex members of Neighbours are very very very into film.
8. Neighbours has gotten a bit raunchy lately hasn't it?

Well that's it really

Good one Mandy - what a bleeding heart you are

Too bloody funny

Jess


Which posting Member of the Triumvirate Are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Just a rumour

Oh please let it be true! A little birdie told me that none other than Mr Nick Cave will be touring Australia in May.

Oh yes get ready for love
see The one about the time I met Nick Cave

New Shoes Night Out

I got some new shoes.
I decided that they were sick of sitting around on a Friday when all their other friends got to hit the dancefloor



So I put on some sass



and headed off to see Holly Golightly


She rocked



I saw this funny German Tourist van


and met this lovely couple who have just gotten together after years of friendship



Then I went to control and caught up with some friends




My shoes and I had a wonderful time

the mystery of the shoes

I need some help.

I was driving home from work on Friday and noticed all of these shoes hanging from the power lines.

Why is this done? I've seen on the Simpsons and Big Fish but don't know what the significance is?

Anybody else know?

Funeral Blues
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West.
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever; I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

-- W. H. Auden

Ooh Charlie!

My friend had the dubious pleasure of getting up close and personal with HRH Prince Charles yesterday. I feel a bit sorry fo the mad old coot. It must be hard being upstaged by an Aussie bird and her sensitive husband. Or Anna Nicole Smith for that matter.

yes yes I will finally reveal

Nothing to report from the last 24 hours so I will tidy up a loose end that has been brought to my attention

From this post from January

1.24.2005
In Brisbane again with only snatched moments on the blog - guys with questions I'll get back to you when I have more access.

and I have to tell you about the scary relevation of Sunday night... "


OK so this is the revelation.

I was at home alone preparing to go to Brisbane for my Grandmother's funeral. I couldn't sleep at all so I got up to watch some infomercials. It was a bit cold so I put my black fringed shawl around my shoulders. Then I was a bit hungry and there wasn't any real food to speak of in the house so I opened a tin of tuna and starting eating that.
I caught sight of myself in the mirror opposite the loungeroom and with my hair tied back and my glasses on I looked EXACTLY LIKE I WOULD IF I WAS A LITTLE OLD ITALIAN WOMAN, LEFT FOR DEAD BY MY UNGRATEFUL FAMILY, EATING CAT FOOD OUT OF A TIN.

It freaked me right out.

well we all knew it anyway

I answered a brain teaser and apparently I could be a psychopath

It's a miracle!

Miracles Do Happen

2 unreal things happened yesterday

1. I got $1500 shaved off the money I owed on my tax from 2003 I forgot that I had requested that they amend my return for that year and I found out yesterday.

2. My car has started working like a dream again! I don't get it - the problems I was having last week have disappeared entirely and now I just need to get a service.

Break out the champers. Life is grand.

The party

Well I happen to have a few minutes to talk about the party.
Everything started off pretty slow as it does with me getting stuck into the punch and loitering around the front door.

But by ten the place was rocking with peeps everywhere. Lots of crew from the various stage of my life showed, current job, last job, different surburb friends, friends met through the ex, friends me through part time jobs, friends met through school, the crackers, old housemates, old bosses etc etc.

So we got two people to look after the music and because I was too busy yakking my head off to all and sundry I didn't realise that this guy was apparently playing TRANCE in my house. Jebus! I should pay more attention really. Normally I would get behind the decks and crank out some dirty rock and roll etc. but just couldn't fit it in on this night.

Then my bedroom was taken over by a group of people doing bulbs. Fuck me, I haven't done one of those since I was about nineteen so It was very bizarre. My beautiful room turned into a clanking, gassy hell hole for a few hours but the guests were entertained.

A few people hooked up so that is always a good thing. nothing says good party then people getting lucky.

And my neighbour is going to fix my car for me! yeah! My puppy dog eyes and offer of Japanese street racing DVD's worked. I will take him out for dinner again as well because he is not a bad guy and I think we could be mates.

Plus beautiful pressies, a lovely succulent, a palm, a bouganvillia and a lucky bamboo.
My room is out the front of the house and has large bay doors that open out on to a little paved area. The fence in front my house doesn't have a plant on it though and I'm loathe to open the doors too much for fear of murderers, rapists etc. The b'vellia is going to look great out there. It has inspired me to get more plants so I can buid a veritable jungle Raffles style, drink G and T and have some young stud fan me with a palm frond before ravishing me on a four poster



Side note
Oscars Schmoscar, didn't bother, Shameless on SBS is much better viewing. Good on Cate though, she leaves that stick insect Nic for dead.