Asia

Hey, so for the last week I've been in South East Asia. Kinda forgot to mention that here. This blog will take a little snooze while I'm away, but I've made a travel blog - Adventure500 - where you can read about what I'm up to. Take care til we talk again! x

The Beach Boys at Rod Laver

Last Friday I was extremely lucky to see The Beach Boys live at Rod Laver Arena. It's part of their 50th anniversary tour, and as such afforded me the kind of opportunity I never thought I'd get to have. Original lineup (sans Carl and Dennis), 50+ songs, great backing band, and a great view from my 'cheap seat'. It was an awesome night.
I'd read that while the guy's voices still sounded good, they are all 70ish, so hey, expect them to sound different. But I was amazed with the record-quality vocals. Everything sounded great and beautiful. Mike Love sounded like Mike Love, and he still kinda acted like a 20something, groovin' around. Brian Wilson sat at the piano mostly looking pretty glum (...Wasn't Made for These Times), but still sounded great (especially on tracks like Heroes and Villians). And he of course recieved continual ovation. Al Jardine was great, and seemed really fun and charming (and Help Me Rhonda went off).
It was spectacular to see and hear The Beach Boys playings songs like Wouldn't It Be Nice and Good Vibrations. Mythical songs colliding with your reality

Within

Life's going pretty well at the moment. I'm really happy about a whole bunch of things, and excited for the future. In a recent post I mentioned meeting someone who made me feel giddy - her name is Lynda, and she's awesome. We met through a friend, and I think we had really good chemistry. She's great fun to be with.
Changes are on the horizon, however. In October I'll be travelling to South East Asia. I'll be going for a few months, and trying to see and do as much as I can. So I'm leaving my jobs and moving out of my flat and saying farewell to a lot of people I love. After the trip? I'm not too sure, though I feel like I'll move back to NZ. Lynda and I have talked about this a bunch, which is all you can really do. Things are great; timing not so much. I love life here right now, and there are so many reasons to stay. At the same time, it's time to go. There's so much to see. With this in mind, it's time to charge straight fucking ahead at life itself. 
I'm not sure how much of my travels will be captured here, but stay tuned

Movie reviews

I work at a cinema, and a huge perk is free movies. There are reciprocal deals with some cinemas in Melbourne, so I mooch around Palace, Nova and Imax - fun times.
I've made a new page of films I've seen (at the cinema), with simple reviews, and an 'out of 10' rating. I'll keep it up to date, but some of these are stretching far back in to the memory banks, and reviews could be a bit sketchy. Hope you enjoy

Melodious

Stop. Do you have a song playing in your head? Something that's just cruising along despite whatever else you're doing? I do. There's a near constant stream of music playing away in my mind, and I love it. I really like music, but I only occasionally listen to it directly. Usually in the mornings or evening when I'm on my computer. I never listen to a walkman when I'm outdoors (there are just so many amazing things to hear!) - instead just having my Inner Jukebox soundtrack life.
Sometimes I wake up with a song in my head - where did that come from? The other morning, just waking, I felt Purity Ring's Lofticries sneak slowly in to my mind, and I smiled. I currently have another song of theirs playing in a medley with a Panda Bear song. I could be a great mashup DJ.
My computer was laggy a while ago when I tried to listen to Lux Aeterna. I shut it off and let the tune play in my mind. Within and without. Isn't it the same?
Let me know what's in your head.

Some things

-I've started a new job. It's at (one of the best) French bakeries in Melbourne, 'A Treat of France'. I make coffee and dish out croissants, and I'm quite enjoying it. It'll allow me to save money and work towards traveling, which has been on hiatus. I'm also still working at the cinema, and going to see lots of films. My Top Five films so far this year are
1 - A Separation
2 - Shame
3 - Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
4 - The Muppets
5 - Battleship (oh, this was supposed to be the The Avengers)
I'm a sucker for Big Budget Action Thrillers. And the first two are just absurdly good, with engrossing storylines and so well acted
-I've met some new people lately and it's been great. I've been feeling super comfortable and relaxed. Perhaps in the past it's made me nervous, but there's so much exciting potential with someone new. One particular new person has been making me feel quite giddy (more info to come)
-I'm helping to try make a baby. Sadly, things didn't work out with the couple I blogged about previously. We tried again, but they decided they were happy with how things were. I'm helping another couple now, and fingers crossed for them
-This post on Tumblr got quite a lot of attention, which was great because I think it's awesome

Hangovers

I think yesterday was a strong contender for the title 'Worst Ever Hangover'. It was a complete write-off of a day, and I really felt like death/dying. I know that it's my own fault, blah blah, boo hoo. But really. It was awful. And I think after two whole days, I now feel alright.
When I drink too much, I get memory loss. More than a couple of beers makes the night hazy; six plus will probably cause some kind of blackout. And Saturday was a few bottles of wine. Maybe more? Who knows. Waking up and not knowing what you did for several hours is surreal and frightening.
My new year's resolution this year was 'not to drink to the point of not remembering', and it's happened twice so far. The worst hangovers I've had have all been in the last year. I feel like my body isn't really suited to handling alcohol, so I'm going to be more aware of that, and try and foresee and prevent bad drinking experiences.

(On the plus side, I just passed 20,000 blog views, which seems like a lot. Thanks for reading! More frequent blogging coming up)

Suburb

I often cheesily say that Northcote is "the best 'Cote." It's amazing. I love the suburb, and in particular where I live - it's got everything I want.
-My room is big, affordable, and gets lots of sunlight. I found a double bed a few days ago from next door's hard rubbish (upgrade from foam mattress). Perfect.
-My flat/'share house' is awesome. The people are really great (fun, friendly, stimulating, challenging), and the house is full of character.
-Within five minutes walk is a supermarket and shopping plaza, library, train station, tram stop, parks. My work is 15 mins walk.
-I can cycle to Brunswick, Fitzroy etc in 15 mins, the CBD in 25. Or train or tram similar times
The suburb is beautiful, and full of nice people. I'm pretty happy here

Give Blood

Last week, I gave blood. It's something I enjoy, and one of the best things you can do. Each donation can help or save three lives. One in three people in their lives will need blood or blood products, but only one in 30 donates! It's such an altruistic act, and is so helpful, only inconveniencing you slightly. Like, an hour of your time and a little scratch to save lives? Okay.
As a vegan, I feel good seeing my iron counts at good levels. I was once told 'you must eat a lot of red meat' - nope.
Please consider donating, it'll make you awesome(er) - New Zealand / Australia

Chained

I really love cycling. I've done it all my life. I love the feeling of cruising, making your own way from A to B, and that it's free and healthy. I've had a meaningful relationship with every bike I've had.
So I was pretty devastated when about a month ago, my bike was stolen. It was locked up while I watched a movie, during daylight. Mega lame. I was bike-less for a week, and had to rely on public transport (which I think is generally okay, but when you're used to cycling anywhere, anytime...). The wisdom is that you'll only ever have one bike stolen, so hopefully I (and you!) can learn from this. Buy a really good lock. Attach it to sturdy things. Read these tips.
I bought a second hand bike online, and I'm super happy with it. A Hallmark, by Kuwahara - it's a dream to ride. I call him Jerome. And just in time for winter, I found some mudguards in a tree on my street. Perfecto!

Loss

In the last week, my gran and aunty died. That's my dad's mum and sister. There are pretty much no words for these kinds of things, just that it's really sad. I've felt quite disconnected from my family, but have been sending out thoughts and love, and just thinking about the role these two women played in my life. It's been a weird series of thoughts - mainly focused on genetics, ancestors, and upbringings. Grief can take on all sorts of forms.

David Foster Wallace

Quite quickly, David Foster Wallace has become my favourite author. I'm part way through The Pale King, and it's great. I love his style, and the way he constructs a story.
The first of his I read was Infinite Jest when I was 20. It was okay, but after a month or so of my time, I couldn't believe the lack of conclusion, and don't think I 'got it', overall. Following a lengthy break, I read This is Water last year, and it was a really good insight in to the person, which is obviously a huge part of who the author is. I've since been reading my way through his works (check m' reading log). I think I could read an infinitely long essay on any topic he chose to write. What he wrote is amazing - it's so insightful and beautiful. It's taught me to view conclusions as a treat, rather than a necessity. And it captures what it means to be alive today.
So I'm pretty heartbroken that he took his own life a few years ago. It slipped past me at the time, and has bothered me the more I've read. Such a complex person, such a huge loss to the world. Read what he's written

Tell

If I'm being honest, I try and be a really honest person. Especially about how I feel about people. In the past, I think I've wasted time keeping my feelings to myself, especially with things like crushes. It's so much better to say how you feel and find out how they do, than to let it dwell inside you. I recently came up with the oxymoron: 'everyone just shut up and say how you feel'.
I also like telling people I love them. If someone means a lot to you, you should definitely let them know. You know the big cliches - 'I wish I'd told them how I felt' etc. It would be pretty bad if something like that happened. So if you love someone, let them know.
Beth and I tell each other often. She recently said "if we had a dollar for every time we said 'love'..." We'd be rich! And wouldn't die wondering

Swinging

One thing I really love is swinging on a swing. Like, at a playground. It's so endearing and frivolous, and also a great time to reflect on things. I enjoy watching the scene around me change as I sweep a parabola through the air.
As a kid, I wasn't a very good swinger. It took me ages to get the hang of it, and I was always pretty wussy about going too high. Even now, after years of experience, it takes a while for my insides to feel okay about flying up and down. And at 27, I wonder if there's an age when it's no longer acceptable to swing. While playgrounds are the domain of children, swinging is enjoyable (and light exercise!), and it feels too arbitrary to simply stop. You needn't let things slide into an unrecoverable childhood nostalgia. Stay young at heart, you're never too old to have fun!

Camp A Low Hum 2012

This past weekend I went to Camp A Low Hum in Wainui. I think it was the best Camp I've been to, and one of the best weekends ever. The more I think about it, the more it makes me happy, and though it sounds cheesy, it feels like I've 'been a part of something special'. Euphoric times, and I was very lucky to see a whole bunch of (new and old) friends from NZ and abroad. Weather on the first day was wet and pretty bleak, but there was heaps of great music. My friend Dove and I chose what the other would wear: he got a a shirt with a cat and his name on; I got an incredible kaftan. Mysticism ensued, and my sunshine ceremony may have helped, for the remaining two days were beautiful.
There were heaps of musical highlights: So So Modern (epic in the rain), Kikuyu, Terrible Truths, Dan Deacon, Aa (maybe my fav show?), Castlecliff Lights, Guerre, Shenandoah Davis, Kirin J Callinan, Hawnay Troof (killer party/killed my voice), Spring Break (Sexiest Pool Party), Jon Lemmon, The Shocking and Stunning, All Seeing Hand, Prince Rama.
And there were heaps of non-musical highlights: crazy dancing with friends; palm readings (love dat Party Line); thanking Kikuyu for playing and having her remember me from Camp '09; corn chip sandwiches, a capella bleep bloop accompaniments to songs; playing The Ninja Game, The Fruit Game, Wrestle Quest; getting an amazing mixtape-in-a-coconut; finally learning to 'whooooo' at a concert.
Such an incredible festival! I'm in complete agreement when people say it's one of the world's best, and I'll be back next year

Treasury of We

When I moved to Melbourne in May, I was impressed with the amount of gigs. 'It's nothing', I was told: 'wait for summer'. And true enough, there have been a lot of great shows. Here are some thoughts on a bunch I've seen
Fran bought me a ticket to see The Gin Club play a christmas eve eve show. They were great, all ten (or so) of them. Big band, good sounds
I went with my friend Jasmine to see Metronomy at the Hi-Fi, and they were phenomenal! They played every song I could've hoped, and were thoroughly entertaining.
John Maus and Dan Deacon played at 'Fright Night'. Maus was amazing, playing his tracks via a sampler while he yelled/sang over the top. Really atavistic performance, shouting and self-hitting. Wow. And Deacon was absurdly fun, his live band involved three synths and two drummers. Tears in my eyes during audience participation in which we were asked to think about the person we loved the most. 
Julianna Barwick played a Sugar Mountain sideshow at The Toff, and I went with my flatmate James. Great voice; a haunting show
Fran and I saw Feist's Laneway sideshow at the Palais Theatre (amazing venue!). She was great, very entertaining, and a great performer. My Moon, My Man was superb.
And off to Laneway yesterday. A really brilliant day out, I really enjoyed Girls, Givers and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Cults were spectacular, and worth the price of the ticket alone. And I felt the same about Glasser, who was better than I could've hoped. The Horrors played a great set, with all the songs I wanted (a good theme of the day) before I snuck off to catch Toro y Moi play Elise (yuss). Washed Out were fab, full of feeling, and I headed over to catch the last M83 song (Couleurs!). I boogied my way through the crowd, and the girl in front of me turned around: it was Naomi! I'd not seen her in months, and here we were, among thousands. I was spun out, it was a poetic moment.
All of this leads on to next week's Camp A Low Hum in New Zealand! Also coming up: Neon Indian, Slow Club, St Vincent, others

Minutiae

At my work I find there are a number of things which seem trifling, and these are the things that really delight me. As Hank Scorpio said, 'it's the little things that make up life'
-Wineglasses are suspended in groups of three, upside down on rails. When you replace a row, they swing and hit each other, producing chimes. The beautiful thing is that they continue swinging for many minutes, and faint 'clinks' can be heard long after you've walked away. I love the harmonic, periodic nature of the swings, and the sounds they produce seem like the music of the spheres.
-Rainbows! The wineglasses, glass shelves and mirrors by the benches produce rainbows. So simple, so stunning.
-At the end of the night, the coffee machine is cleaned. Part of this involves emptying the grinder, and grinding a handful of beans to 'season the machine' the next morning. You hear the blades grind and whir, and as the last of the beans go through, the blades spin unimpeded. It sounds like a perfect moment.
-Coffeemaking, it's fun to try and make pictures in the foam. I'm still learning, but it's often best to simply interpret the shapes that arise. I've 'made' pictures of a moustache, question marks, and a hyperbola.
-Customers. People are beautiful and strange. It feels like every interaction has the potential to revolutionise how you relate to others.