I am going to the Arc De Triomphe, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and the Place De la Concorde. I am going to walk along the River Seine. It will be cold as a witch's teat!
Tuesday 13 January 2009
Thursday 8 January 2009
2008 in photographs + 2009 in FUN!
Most of them aren't exactly what I'd call beautiful photography but they're well done and give an interesting overview of what happened in the world last year The Big Picture: 1, 2, 3.
They also recently uploading a rather moving photoessay on the recent conflict in Israel and Gaza. So like, war... What the hell is up with that?
But in other news, at 4:40 PM this very day an aeroplane is going to leave Sydney for Singapore, and I, along with a bunch of lovelies from school, will be on it! And so like after Singapore, we'll be getting on another plane to London. For details on the rest, I reccommend you watch classic of contempory cinema Eurotrip (teeheehee). We come home 27th January but until then, much love everybody! Happy Australia Day in advance! (If you're into that sort of foul patriotic jingoism.) (Yes I am unfair.) Try not to miss me too hard a'ight? ;)
They also recently uploading a rather moving photoessay on the recent conflict in Israel and Gaza. So like, war... What the hell is up with that?
But in other news, at 4:40 PM this very day an aeroplane is going to leave Sydney for Singapore, and I, along with a bunch of lovelies from school, will be on it! And so like after Singapore, we'll be getting on another plane to London. For details on the rest, I reccommend you watch classic of contempory cinema Eurotrip (teeheehee). We come home 27th January but until then, much love everybody! Happy Australia Day in advance! (If you're into that sort of foul patriotic jingoism.) (Yes I am unfair.) Try not to miss me too hard a'ight? ;)
Wednesday 7 January 2009
Oh well done BBC, the Eleventh Doctor has a smug ham face.
I am not entirely pleased, but will try to be prudent and put off judging him until I've actually seen the new series. Speaking as someone who started watching the Doctor Who revival series very early because of a sci-fi geek dad, but became mildly obsessed when David Tennant took the role in, what, 2006/7 or summat? (no 2005 apparently, but surely that wasn't screening in Aus back then) I can testify that the show is in fact watchable even without his dishy goodness, BUT the new Doctor, Matt Smith, is like 26 and kind of twitty-looking. So my hopes are not high. I was also a little disappointed that they didn't pick a black or Asian guy as was generally rumoured, or a women I guess (as implausible as that would have been, but it's science fiction and Russel T Davies' writing has been getting weirder and arguably worse of late anyways... But um he's being replaced too so there ya go!) OKAY so, have some pictures and an excerpt from an article, and tell me what you think. Good, bad or ugly?
At 26, Smith is three years younger than Peter Davison when he signed up to play the fifth Doctor in 1981.
Smith will first appear on TV screens as the 11th Doctor in 2010.
He was cast over Christmas and will begin filming for the fifth series of Doctor Who in the summer. Tennant is filming four specials in 2009.
Smith was named as Tennant's replacement in Saturday's edition of Doctor Who Confidential on BBC One.
The programme was watched by an audience of 6.9 million people at its peak, according to official overnight figures.
The actor said: "I feel proud and honoured to have been given this opportunity to join a team of people that has worked so tirelessly to make the show so thrilling.
"David Tennant has made the role his own, brilliantly, with grace, talent and persistent dedication. I hope to learn from the standards set by him.
"The challenge for me is to do justice to the show's illustrious past, my predecessors, and most importantly, to those who watch it. I really cannot wait."
Piers Wenger, head of drama at BBC Wales, said that as soon as he had seen Smith's audition he "knew he was the one".
The 11 Doctors
1. William Hartnell (1963-1966)
2. Patrick Troughton (1966-1969)
3. Jon Pertwee (1970-1974)
4. Tom Baker (1974-1981)
5. Peter Davison - pictured (1982-1984)
6. Colin Baker (1984-1986)
7. Sylvester McCoy (1987-1996)
8. Paul McGann (1996)
9. Christopher Eccleston (2005)
10. David Tennant (2005-2010)
11. Matt Smith (2010 - ?)
1. William Hartnell (1963-1966)
2. Patrick Troughton (1966-1969)
3. Jon Pertwee (1970-1974)
4. Tom Baker (1974-1981)
5. Peter Davison - pictured (1982-1984)
6. Colin Baker (1984-1986)
7. Sylvester McCoy (1987-1996)
8. Paul McGann (1996)
9. Christopher Eccleston (2005)
10. David Tennant (2005-2010)
11. Matt Smith (2010 - ?)
But in others he's kind of yuppie-geek-cute. Plastic specs to nothing to hide that big man jaw though...
It's motherlickin' huge!
So now the question is: the next lady sidekick? (Cause that's all women are good for...) Will it be Lily Allen? And if so, what the fucking fuck?
The Big Ask: Campaign for a strong climate law
"We need strong leadership on climate change. Too many politicians are happy to speak about the issue, but their promises have often turned out to be just a load more hot air. One exception is the United Kingdom, where a climate law has just been adopted, which will force the government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions every year.We need your help to ensure that other governments follow this example.
On 10th August, more than 6,000 people took part in the recording of short film The Big Ask at Ostende on the Belgian coast. This was the largest event against climate change ever organised in Belgium. The film clip was made possible due to the engagement of volunteers from Friends of the Earth, and many film industry professionals including award winning director Nic Balthazar, film crews, production houses, actors... Music has been supplied by Hooverphonic. The video clip has been launched, and now is the time to send it round the world, and to share it with everyone you know!
Friends of the Earth groups are running The Big Ask climate campaign in 17 European countries, so if you are in one of these countries, you can sign an online petition after you have watched the film. Watch the clip online at: http://www.thebigask.be/. More info about the European Big Ask campaign at: http://www.thebigask.eu/."
Saturday 3 January 2009
2008 Greek Riots, possible new Doctor Whos
(Because cramming a million unrelated things into the same post is just the way I roll.)
Source.
Source.So we will know who's to be the 11th Doctor like... Really soon? Gosh!
Annnd while we're here, this is nice. "A Sheffield man who lent a penniless Australian tourist £5 to pay for a ferry trip in 1969 has been repaid his debt nearly 40 years later." Aww! People who treat other people with kindness and consideration! That's cute.
Friday 2 January 2009
You fo' reall HP?
Apparently yes, once upon a time. So what I want to know is why the hell is this amazing excellent product no longer available to the consumers of the world? Angry letters need writing people!
Thursday 1 January 2009
Dear 2008: goodbye and good riddance!
Happy New Year kids! This is really lame of me, and you'd think I'd have grown out of them by now, but it's the first day of the rest of my life and for one reason or another I feel like completing a self-obsessed retrospective internet survey. So!
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Oh Jesus, this is hard already.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I barely remember what they were actually. Probably something dumb, like get pretty and hold onto friends. So not rearray. And yeah I’m working oh9- Getting a half-decent UAI will probably be up there. Veganism. Which will be hard. I’m thinking a gradual ascent, because I already fucked it up this morning when I was mildly hungover and very tired and drinking tea in another person’s house... Guh leniency? Also:
I don't know where I find all these stupid things, but sounds like a good idea non?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Cousins and suchlike.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.
5. What countries did you visit?
India.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Much wicked fun! A nice last year of high school- free of self-loathing, jealousy and old resentments. Mutual forgiveness.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
1st March, 21st March, 11th May, 1st September, 12th November. Not telling.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Kicking out the jams, motherfuckers! And by the jams, I mean depression (I think). There, I said it. Woo hoo! :)
9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting down two particular friends. Not sticking up for myself. Relationships in general. School! Oh, the list tends to go on.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No major mishaps really.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Um! Loving this new laptop but that was a gift. I don’t know, I’m trying not to let my possessions own me. So that’s good!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Those who committed random and/or methodical acts of kindness. Those who made an effort, however small or large, to unfuck the world. Americans for electing Barack Obama, a moderate (rather than their usual right-wing meanies) and the first black president like ever.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My own, not so much in a morally righteous way as in a that-action-caused-unhappiness way. In the former manner though- that of a certain boy, that of a couple of schoolmates.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Books, CDs, gigs. Selfish shellfish!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Secret crushes, social change...
16. What songs will always remind you of 2008?
Ohmigod that is so hard.
The entirety of Who Killed Amanda Palmer. Any upbeat Magnetic Fields song. “Someone Great” by LCD Soundsystem. “Kids” by MGMT. “Don’t Fight It” by The Panics. “Midnight at Bandcamp” by Bluejuice. “Prince of Parties” by Flight of the Conchords. "April Skies" by The Jesus and Mary Chain. "The Anglo-Saxons" by The Mountain Goats... I don't even know, ask me in a year, when I'm in the mood for reminding.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier!
b) thinner or fatter? Slightly fatter, probably. Bathroom scales are for losers.
c) richer or poorer? Equally unemployed, although a little less recently. Maybe richer though. I have Christmas money!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Laughing at myself, partying, studying.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying, sulking, hurting, stalking people on the internet...
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
It’s been and gone- at home, with a cameo by a small section of the extended fam.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Not quite.
22. How many one-night stands?
I only have one nightstand, for you see I only have one bed!
23. What was your favourite TV program?
Ohh it was a good year for TV: Discovered The IT Crowd and The Mighty Boosh. Continued devotion to Doctor Who despite dreadfully inconsistent quality this last season. Bit of Skins, not as much Black Books as I would have liked, but always the token NCIS with my family. It’s our only regular bonding activity, don't judge me.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
“Hatred paralyses life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
25. What was the best book you read?
Mmm I don’t even know. I’m just not that excited about reading these days. *sheds a tear*
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Magnetic Fields. Leonard Cohen. Others too I guess but can't remember off the top of my skull.
27. What did you want and get?
Can't quite think of anything, the ungrateful sod. Better?
28. What did you want and not get?
Truth. Beauty. Freedom. Love. A new camera. Actually I did get that last one but it was broken so tharr ye go.
29. What was your favourite film of this year?
Juno. Ellen Page so ridiculously cute! It was possibly released in 2007, not sure, but I watched it last January so suck it. Wall-E was very good as well. Most underrated goes to Unfinished Sky... I imagine The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is excellent as well but somehow I still haven’t seen it. Flight of the Red Balloon and The Painted Veil were both lovely. St Trinian’s and Indiana Jones 4 were both apalling.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Now officially 17 going on 18- I went to school but on the weekend Bec, Vaanie and myself hosted a barbeque which I think was quite nice, then everyone went and got drunk at Elise’s. Yeah nice.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Immeasurably? Hmm. HMM! I do have an answer but hear it y'all shall not!
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Derelicte! No um. I’m a big man with small eyes. I want a multi-purpose tweed utility suit. Also, vests are so hot right now.
33. What kept you sane?
Music + solitary walks. A flash of hope every now and then.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ohh tough call. I think it was the year of David Tennant for all involved, and seeing as he’ll be relinquishing his sonic screwdriver very soon I should really award it to him. There were others though, notably charming old British men like Colin Firth and Alan Rickman, and raging musical ladies a la AFP... I dunno. Lots.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
I’ve been feeling quite stirred over most errything of late actually! I wish everyone were vegetarian pro-queer feminists who actually cared about the environment and were willing to give peace a chance. You know what was stupid? The racist bogans who protested against an Islamic school in Camden with pigs heads on stakes. But um that’s kind of a micro issue. When the church isn’t really separated from the state. War worldwide.
36. Who did you miss?
Ex-friends and lovers, former selves, people I haven’t even met yet. The usual!
37. Who was the best new person you met?
I shant say in case they read this and it’s awkward jellyfish.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker. Most people aren’t worth the hassle.
There, that was two!
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Do it for the living and do it for the dead
Do it for the monsters under your bed
Do it for the teenagers and do it for your mom
Broken hearts hurt but they make you strong!
40. And one for next year?
I played video games in a drunken haze
I was seventeen years young
Hurt my knuckles punching the machines
The taste of scotch rich on my tongue
And then Cathy showed up, and we hung out
Trading swigs from the bottle, all bitter and clean
Locking eyes, holding hands
Twin high maintenance machines
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Oh Jesus, this is hard already.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I barely remember what they were actually. Probably something dumb, like get pretty and hold onto friends. So not rearray. And yeah I’m working oh9- Getting a half-decent UAI will probably be up there. Veganism. Which will be hard. I’m thinking a gradual ascent, because I already fucked it up this morning when I was mildly hungover and very tired and drinking tea in another person’s house... Guh leniency? Also:
I don't know where I find all these stupid things, but sounds like a good idea non?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Cousins and suchlike.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.
5. What countries did you visit?
India.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Much wicked fun! A nice last year of high school- free of self-loathing, jealousy and old resentments. Mutual forgiveness.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
1st March, 21st March, 11th May, 1st September, 12th November. Not telling.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Kicking out the jams, motherfuckers! And by the jams, I mean depression (I think). There, I said it. Woo hoo! :)
9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting down two particular friends. Not sticking up for myself. Relationships in general. School! Oh, the list tends to go on.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No major mishaps really.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Um! Loving this new laptop but that was a gift. I don’t know, I’m trying not to let my possessions own me. So that’s good!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Those who committed random and/or methodical acts of kindness. Those who made an effort, however small or large, to unfuck the world. Americans for electing Barack Obama, a moderate (rather than their usual right-wing meanies) and the first black president like ever.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
My own, not so much in a morally righteous way as in a that-action-caused-unhappiness way. In the former manner though- that of a certain boy, that of a couple of schoolmates.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Books, CDs, gigs. Selfish shellfish!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Secret crushes, social change...
16. What songs will always remind you of 2008?
Ohmigod that is so hard.
The entirety of Who Killed Amanda Palmer. Any upbeat Magnetic Fields song. “Someone Great” by LCD Soundsystem. “Kids” by MGMT. “Don’t Fight It” by The Panics. “Midnight at Bandcamp” by Bluejuice. “Prince of Parties” by Flight of the Conchords. "April Skies" by The Jesus and Mary Chain. "The Anglo-Saxons" by The Mountain Goats... I don't even know, ask me in a year, when I'm in the mood for reminding.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier!
b) thinner or fatter? Slightly fatter, probably. Bathroom scales are for losers.
c) richer or poorer? Equally unemployed, although a little less recently. Maybe richer though. I have Christmas money!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Laughing at myself, partying, studying.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying, sulking, hurting, stalking people on the internet...
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
It’s been and gone- at home, with a cameo by a small section of the extended fam.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Not quite.
22. How many one-night stands?
I only have one nightstand, for you see I only have one bed!
23. What was your favourite TV program?
Ohh it was a good year for TV: Discovered The IT Crowd and The Mighty Boosh. Continued devotion to Doctor Who despite dreadfully inconsistent quality this last season. Bit of Skins, not as much Black Books as I would have liked, but always the token NCIS with my family. It’s our only regular bonding activity, don't judge me.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
“Hatred paralyses life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
25. What was the best book you read?
Mmm I don’t even know. I’m just not that excited about reading these days. *sheds a tear*
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Magnetic Fields. Leonard Cohen. Others too I guess but can't remember off the top of my skull.
27. What did you want and get?
Can't quite think of anything, the ungrateful sod. Better?
28. What did you want and not get?
Truth. Beauty. Freedom. Love. A new camera. Actually I did get that last one but it was broken so tharr ye go.
29. What was your favourite film of this year?
Juno. Ellen Page so ridiculously cute! It was possibly released in 2007, not sure, but I watched it last January so suck it. Wall-E was very good as well. Most underrated goes to Unfinished Sky... I imagine The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is excellent as well but somehow I still haven’t seen it. Flight of the Red Balloon and The Painted Veil were both lovely. St Trinian’s and Indiana Jones 4 were both apalling.
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Now officially 17 going on 18- I went to school but on the weekend Bec, Vaanie and myself hosted a barbeque which I think was quite nice, then everyone went and got drunk at Elise’s. Yeah nice.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Immeasurably? Hmm. HMM! I do have an answer but hear it y'all shall not!
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Derelicte! No um. I’m a big man with small eyes. I want a multi-purpose tweed utility suit. Also, vests are so hot right now.
33. What kept you sane?
Music + solitary walks. A flash of hope every now and then.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Ohh tough call. I think it was the year of David Tennant for all involved, and seeing as he’ll be relinquishing his sonic screwdriver very soon I should really award it to him. There were others though, notably charming old British men like Colin Firth and Alan Rickman, and raging musical ladies a la AFP... I dunno. Lots.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
I’ve been feeling quite stirred over most errything of late actually! I wish everyone were vegetarian pro-queer feminists who actually cared about the environment and were willing to give peace a chance. You know what was stupid? The racist bogans who protested against an Islamic school in Camden with pigs heads on stakes. But um that’s kind of a micro issue. When the church isn’t really separated from the state. War worldwide.
36. Who did you miss?
Ex-friends and lovers, former selves, people I haven’t even met yet. The usual!
37. Who was the best new person you met?
I shant say in case they read this and it’s awkward jellyfish.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker. Most people aren’t worth the hassle.
There, that was two!
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Do it for the living and do it for the dead
Do it for the monsters under your bed
Do it for the teenagers and do it for your mom
Broken hearts hurt but they make you strong!
40. And one for next year?
I played video games in a drunken haze
I was seventeen years young
Hurt my knuckles punching the machines
The taste of scotch rich on my tongue
And then Cathy showed up, and we hung out
Trading swigs from the bottle, all bitter and clean
Locking eyes, holding hands
Twin high maintenance machines
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me
I am going to make it through this year if it kills me.
“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”- Neil Gaiman
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