Feeling pasty

This is Gerald, a new pasting down Centre Pl. He feels bad about himself (and looks much sadder than I'd intended). But floating just behind him is all the beautiful little ways in which he touches the world.

I'm happy with how this turned out, and the concept behind it. Even if you don't feel it, you're a unique part of the world. See also the second paragraph of this post.








This picture, and previous work, is on forever - a Tumblr I made (I recant! Tumblr's cool, though I'm aiming for entirely original content)

Feel good

I drew this today. I guess it's a cuter, more subtle way of saying I like you/you turn me on.

For the non-anatomically minded, the middle one is the stomach, where butterflies live. You could change 'feel good' to 'feel funny' - whichever is more accurate for your current infatuation.

Stylistic nods to the game Operation, and also the fantastic Able and Game

Giveaway! Choose Your Own Crochet

I'm really enjoying crochet, and I like making 'things' - objects and stuff, more so than useful items. Check out some of my past projects here.
Now though, lucky reader, it's time for a giveaway. I will crochet you whatever you want. To enter, just leave a comment (or email me (superchai @ gmail . com)) saying what you'd like. Simple! I'll send it anywhere in the world, and will design and make it myself. Be creative (so no hats, sorry) (and maybe include some kind of reference picture if it's obscure...)! Entries will be open until July 31st, and before you know it a Thing of Your Choice could be heading your way

Inscensed

Work at the cinema has been pretty great. The first week of the final Harry Potter film is over, so things will be toned down from 'maniacal'. I had no work today, so intended to make the most of it. This morning I showered, trimmed my beard, and gave myself a haircut. I find few things as rewarding as cutting your own hair. It just takes a bit of moxie (and scissors). What's the worst that could happen?
I caught the train down to Prahran, to check out a gallery show by Urban Cake Lady, but alas, the gallery was closed! Instead, I walked around, bought the new Cabinet (ooooh, 'Infrastructure'), checked out an incense store (with free samples!), and had a look in a hotel/gallery. And spotted a stencil by Blek le Rat, which was an oh-my-god moment. I then headed to town for lunch with Annie, which was nice, followed by a tram to Brunswick. I met up with Dove, and we went to a cafe. I'd 'known of' Dove in Chch, but hadn't met him until we both dined with Kim in Melbourne. He's very nice, and we went to a cafe. I had (by my count) the fourth coffee of my life. I've never liked it, but feel now could be the time. I like the romance, but wouldn't want the addiction. We walked around the streets a little, and I caught the train home with the commuters, amidst the drizzle.
(Oh, and I added a new page of music I'm enjoying at the moment, with streams where available)

Pippy slippers!

The rather fantastic Pip Lincolne posted a pattern for Pippy Slippers a while ago. I spotted them in her shop one time I went in to have a geeky talk about crochet. I really liked them, and figured I would have a go - but make my toes pointy. For added whimsy.

Warm feet! And warm, hairy legs...

The pictures might not show, but the left slipper is rather more pointy than the right. I made that one second, and was a little hung up on it for a while - I didn't use a pattern (just inspiration and instinct), but wanted them to be the same. But I like how they're different. They're unique. 

T'nealle

Earlier in the year, T'nealle sent me this picture: "I made some fan art for you. but you look a bit crazy.  hope you like it in a not too creepy way."

It is a bit creepy, but I like the look of my Hypno-Glasses. If you've read this blog in the past, you'll know that T'nealle and I are good friends, and we spent a lot of time hanging out and exploring central Christchurch. She's one of my favourite people, and I think she really typifies all the great people I met in Chch. She's always up for an adventure (one time we were exploring a carpark, which led in to an office building, where we found an empty office, and climbed out the window, across the rooftops, up and down fire escapes, oh!), and is wonderfully creative. And she's probably the most 'can-do' person I've ever met, able to turn no food in to a meal for all, and re-imagining what things can be  (forts!)

New feature - reading log

I've been reading a lot more since moving to Melbourne. It's good to do on the train, and I've felt a renewed connection to reading, in general. Just like in primary school, I've created a reading log - the link is on the side, under 'about', 'best of' etc. Each book is given a short review. I'll update it as I go, so you could check it every now and then. Also, you can leave comments on the page, so if there's something you think I might like, that would be a good place for it.

Flash

I have a new job - it's at Palais Westgarth cinema. That meant I was able to leave the soup cafe, which I was happy with. I've had three days between ending that job and starting the new one, and I was determined to make the most of them. After blogging yesterday, I caught the train to town for a bit of exploration, guided by the rather intriguing Deductive Logic Test, set up by CDH. Aided by my map book, I found the first part of the puzzle, and solved each step before moving to the next one. It was really fun, and very well put together - their work is great, and fits the environment so well. I enjoyed finding my way around new lanes, and there were plenty of interesting distractions along the way.
I stopped by ACMI to watch a bit of American Night, a five channel installation which was very inspiring. I read a few design magazines at Mag Nation, and found a piece about maniac crochet artist Olek. Fantastic! I'd seen her work, but it had been uncredited (big online faux pas). I caught the train home, and watched the world flash past me, zoetropically. Lying in bed, my mind flashed dozens of creative plans.

Flaneur

A few weeks back, Susie texted me to see if I could meet up - was I 'flaneuring around'? I was unsure of the meaning of the word, but got the drift, and made a note to check it later. Dr Wikipedia was able to inform me that flâneur comes from French, meaning 'to stroll', and Baudelaire described it as 'a person who walks the city in order to experience it'. It turns out I was flaneuring, and it is a concept with which I identify strongly. There are few things I enjoy more than going for a walk, and I could litter this post with links to previous posts documenting my trivial adventures (this one is good). It all adds up to a rich tapestry, experiencing the city I live in.
And I've a whole new city to explore. The laneways of the central city seem innumerable; the streets in my suburb are gridded allowing many different routes. There is so much to see, and every new thing is a tiny wonder. Do you experience your city?

Coo-burg!

As I mentioned last week, I live in Coburg. Many pigeons also live here, and I quipped that the suburb could be called Coo-burg. This idea formed the basis of a pasting project on Victoria St Mall, with a new flock appearing overnight. I really like the suburb, and want this to be a slightly odd celebration of its most populous bird species

Arboretum

I went to the Dandenong Ranges.
I touched the tallest tree. It was soft and wet. The canopy swayed in slow motion high above me.
I touched a power pole down the road. Water and nutrients once flowed through its xylem and phloem, now electricity flows through its wires. It was once a tree. Now it's a pole.
I thought about how things used to be. With the trees; with me. Things have changed inside me. Things flow electrically.

Melbourne life

I've been in Melbourne for about six weeks now. It's good, I really like it here. I have a flat in Coburg, which is in the northern city of Moreland. There are many pigeons in the area (they could call it 'Coo-burg'), and sometimes I see them in a flock, moving in such complex ways. The birds here are very differnet to those I know - a wider range of species, and I borrowed some books to learn more. My house is within walking distance to lots of interesting things, and there are many different streets to walk down, so I can always walk a new route.
I have a job working at The Soup Place in Centre Place. We sell soup, and it's not a bad job for now, but I'm still looking for something better. It feels like there are so many alleys, buildings, and secrets to discover. I like walking around, and sometimes feel a child-like shiver: 'I'm in one of the best cities on earth.' It's a good motivation to explore, rather than stay at home.
It seems strange, but for the most part, I don't really feel like I'm in Australia. It is very similar to New Zealand, except that I'm still missing all of my favourite people I'm apart from. There are lots of good people here though, and lots of new experiences