So I finished reading the novel "Wicked", by Gregory Maguire the other evening. It was brilliant. It's not often that I can unreservedly recommend a novel to people, but this was an amazing, witty, clever read that was honestly one of the best fantasy books I've read in a long time. Read it. You won't regret it.
Also, I am waiting impatiently for my new laptop to arrive. Damn postal services in Australia. About 6 months ago, I ordered a book from the fantastic website Subterranean Press (they publish science fiction, and weird fiction, and fantasy, all in beautiful editions). I ordered it on the Friday of one week, and it arrived at my door the following Wednesday. Now, is something can come from America with such speed, then I ask you, why does it take Australia's internal mail service longer to send something up the coast?
Here are 3 random facts about me:
1. I have a sore right shoulder at the moment, as a result of sleeping oddly.
2. I think Ultraviolet is an awful film. So bad, it makes me want to cry, and then stab myself in the eye. With a Spawn figurine.
3. I hate writing on lined paper. It annoys me. I hate feeling constricted. So for years (all through uni) I have used art books instead of lecture pads, and as a result, have got much more interesting notes than everyone else. Ever.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The News In Brief
It has taken me rather a long time to realise that there is, in fact, no-one currently in Parliament fit to lead this country (Australia, for any overseas visitors).
It's fast becoming my opinion that (apart from Joe Hockey, who is awesome, and has an awesome name) everyone in Canberra, from top to bottom, is woefully inept at their jobs, and the country is suffering greatly under the yoke of Rudd and Swan's incompetence. It can't be mistaken - or hidden - any longer.
Anyway, of more immediate interest is the death of Michael Jackson. People have been ranting and raving about how he was an awful person, etc, and to be honest, I'm a bit sick of it. Fact is, peeps, that he was told he was practically God from before he was 10, was paid insane amounts of money, and had people worship him. Now, given that not many people experience this, I think it's a fair thing to say: "Don't Judge."
More importantly that his character flaws (or, eccentricities, as they could more accurately be described) was the incredible scope, power, and brilliance of his music. People have also been crapping on about how "heaps of people die every day, what makes this one so special?" Well, you ignorant tossers, quite aside from being one of the most successful entertainers of all time, his music touched the lives of millions of people, across decades, and generations. That's why.
To be fair, it was a good career-saving move. Everyone knows that you become more popular as a musician after death. Just ask Jeff Buckley. Hallelujah.
It's fast becoming my opinion that (apart from Joe Hockey, who is awesome, and has an awesome name) everyone in Canberra, from top to bottom, is woefully inept at their jobs, and the country is suffering greatly under the yoke of Rudd and Swan's incompetence. It can't be mistaken - or hidden - any longer.
Anyway, of more immediate interest is the death of Michael Jackson. People have been ranting and raving about how he was an awful person, etc, and to be honest, I'm a bit sick of it. Fact is, peeps, that he was told he was practically God from before he was 10, was paid insane amounts of money, and had people worship him. Now, given that not many people experience this, I think it's a fair thing to say: "Don't Judge."
More importantly that his character flaws (or, eccentricities, as they could more accurately be described) was the incredible scope, power, and brilliance of his music. People have also been crapping on about how "heaps of people die every day, what makes this one so special?" Well, you ignorant tossers, quite aside from being one of the most successful entertainers of all time, his music touched the lives of millions of people, across decades, and generations. That's why.
To be fair, it was a good career-saving move. Everyone knows that you become more popular as a musician after death. Just ask Jeff Buckley. Hallelujah.
Monday, June 29, 2009
It's Moments Like These...
This post is rather short. In fact, all I really have to say, is that the Minties "artist" "Jeremy" really needs to get his act together, and make some more Mintie wrapper cartoons. Here follows a list of circumstances that fit the slogan "It's moments like these you need Minties"...
1. People sitting around a television, watching the election result and seeing Kevin Rudd won the damn thing.
2. A bunyip has eaten a dog (in which instance, he needs to freshen his breath).
3. MacGuyver has made a helicopter out of string, a stocking with holes in it, and a broken DVD player, and has adbucted your Mum.
4. You come out of the tattooist with 54 stars on your face, claiming to have fallen asleep, only to later withdraw the statement, and admit to actually being so stupid as to want 54 stars on your face.
5. You realise you've run out of Minties.
So get to it, Jeremy! I've done the hard work for you!
1. People sitting around a television, watching the election result and seeing Kevin Rudd won the damn thing.
2. A bunyip has eaten a dog (in which instance, he needs to freshen his breath).
3. MacGuyver has made a helicopter out of string, a stocking with holes in it, and a broken DVD player, and has adbucted your Mum.
4. You come out of the tattooist with 54 stars on your face, claiming to have fallen asleep, only to later withdraw the statement, and admit to actually being so stupid as to want 54 stars on your face.
5. You realise you've run out of Minties.
So get to it, Jeremy! I've done the hard work for you!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
It has been a while
Hi peeps. It has been a long while since I've had the inclination to blog anything. But, the time has come, and I have made a return.
The cause of this return is (as usual) a rant. My rant this evening has to do with people who cannot order a standard dish/drink/whatever when they go out into the world of restaurants and eateries, and instead feel the need to throw away the conformity and safety of a menu for some derring-do of their own creation.
Not happy people! There is a reason menus exist - it's what cafes and restaurants are prepared to serve you. No, you may not have olives with that. I'm afraid it doesn't come with bacon, no, but to be honest, you hardly appear to need it. I'm sure you'd like me to put hundreds and thousands on your babycino, but then I'd like to be Emperor of the World with a TARDIS and a cool hat.
So next time you find yourself about to annoy some poor waiter, chef, cook, barista, please, know this - they judge you. In kitchens, behind coffee bars, we do silently mock the strange things you order. It's insidious: you'll never know. But it happens. "Imagine the hide", one such conversation may go "they wanted NO FROTH AT ALL on their flat white. You can't make good creamy milk without froth. Philistines."
Also, it's worth noting that saying "Oh, I'm sorry to be a pain, but..." does not actually make the process of sorting out your idiotic dish any easier that it otherwise would be. It's like assuming that if the guards at Auschwitz had apologised before torturing the Jews, then all would have been well. And we all know that's not the case.
Over and out. Hope you're all well.
Blake.
The cause of this return is (as usual) a rant. My rant this evening has to do with people who cannot order a standard dish/drink/whatever when they go out into the world of restaurants and eateries, and instead feel the need to throw away the conformity and safety of a menu for some derring-do of their own creation.
Not happy people! There is a reason menus exist - it's what cafes and restaurants are prepared to serve you. No, you may not have olives with that. I'm afraid it doesn't come with bacon, no, but to be honest, you hardly appear to need it. I'm sure you'd like me to put hundreds and thousands on your babycino, but then I'd like to be Emperor of the World with a TARDIS and a cool hat.
So next time you find yourself about to annoy some poor waiter, chef, cook, barista, please, know this - they judge you. In kitchens, behind coffee bars, we do silently mock the strange things you order. It's insidious: you'll never know. But it happens. "Imagine the hide", one such conversation may go "they wanted NO FROTH AT ALL on their flat white. You can't make good creamy milk without froth. Philistines."
Also, it's worth noting that saying "Oh, I'm sorry to be a pain, but..." does not actually make the process of sorting out your idiotic dish any easier that it otherwise would be. It's like assuming that if the guards at Auschwitz had apologised before torturing the Jews, then all would have been well. And we all know that's not the case.
Over and out. Hope you're all well.
Blake.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
First Post for 2009
Happy New Year to all!
Welcome to 2009. My evening consisted of great company, fireworks, and pianos in the back of red utes... always a good omen for the year ahead.
I have not really made any New Year's Resolutions as I dislike beginning the year with a list of things to fail at in the next fortnight. My one general resolution is to finish writing a lot of things that need finishing. I find I am wonderful at beginning stuff, but not so brilliant on the ending bit. Not that I don't have the ideas, it's more about the drive; I need to find ways to keep momentum up and finish things.
So there you have it - the short post to begin the year. It's now 3.19am, on Jan 1.1.09, so I wish you all the best for the new year, and goodnight!
Welcome to 2009. My evening consisted of great company, fireworks, and pianos in the back of red utes... always a good omen for the year ahead.
I have not really made any New Year's Resolutions as I dislike beginning the year with a list of things to fail at in the next fortnight. My one general resolution is to finish writing a lot of things that need finishing. I find I am wonderful at beginning stuff, but not so brilliant on the ending bit. Not that I don't have the ideas, it's more about the drive; I need to find ways to keep momentum up and finish things.
So there you have it - the short post to begin the year. It's now 3.19am, on Jan 1.1.09, so I wish you all the best for the new year, and goodnight!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Belated Christmas/Early New Year's...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone. I tried to post up a Christmas/New Year message, but blogger was determined to prevent such well-wishing; despite that, I sent it out to everyone I know anyway, so it's not a big deal.
So I had a reasonable Christmas, although the "no rest for the wicked" saying was proved true in that I only had 2 days off and then was back into it again. Working tomorrow and I'd rather not be...
As for New Year's, I'm not sure what's happening in that arena yet. I am looking forwards to being done with 2008 though, I can tell you that. It's been a pretty crap year, and I'll be chuffed to see the back of it.
Blake.
So I had a reasonable Christmas, although the "no rest for the wicked" saying was proved true in that I only had 2 days off and then was back into it again. Working tomorrow and I'd rather not be...
As for New Year's, I'm not sure what's happening in that arena yet. I am looking forwards to being done with 2008 though, I can tell you that. It's been a pretty crap year, and I'll be chuffed to see the back of it.
Blake.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Time for a Rant
The blog is called Postmodern Rantings, and I am about to give you a list of things that will in part fulfil the second bit of the title.
Here are some things I have come across that really get my goat this year:
1. People who drive slow in the fast lane, or just in any lane, to be honest. If you get in front of me when I am in the fast lane, with the aim of overtaking someone in the slow lane, here's a hint - the object is not to then sit beside them until I am ready to kill you.
2. The University. After 3 years of my degree, being told I had to have a minor, I am now informed that I didn't actually have to have one. The information came in the form of a polite email saying that there had been some confusion over the whole thing, and *no*, we did not need to have a minor. Idiots.
3. The fact that things get released later in Australia, completely unaccountably. Books, movies, tv shows, games, the whole lot - everything (although movies not so much now, but other things certainly) get released later here for absolutely no reason. Bastards.
4. Rowling. That's right, Rowling. Her new book is totally meh. I am glad it was only a mere $10.00, otherwise there would be trouble.
5. People who say that Facebook is the adult version of MySpace. Well, if you mean that it doesn't work as well, and isn't as much fun, you're right. If on the other hand you are referring to content then go to buggery - the fact is, on Facebook I can throw a sheep at someone, become a Pirate Lord, or simple become a fan of "Channel 4 News With Ron Burgandy". So basically, try and tell me it's more adult, and I'll rip your nipples off.
6. Morons on YouTube making the gayest little video compilations you ever did see, and then naming them things "New Batman Trailer", or "Star Wars Episode 7 Announced". Get off the internet you scabrous villains!
So there is a small list, which no doubt will be supplemented at some point by more whinging.
Have a nice week, Blake.
Here are some things I have come across that really get my goat this year:
1. People who drive slow in the fast lane, or just in any lane, to be honest. If you get in front of me when I am in the fast lane, with the aim of overtaking someone in the slow lane, here's a hint - the object is not to then sit beside them until I am ready to kill you.
2. The University. After 3 years of my degree, being told I had to have a minor, I am now informed that I didn't actually have to have one. The information came in the form of a polite email saying that there had been some confusion over the whole thing, and *no*, we did not need to have a minor. Idiots.
3. The fact that things get released later in Australia, completely unaccountably. Books, movies, tv shows, games, the whole lot - everything (although movies not so much now, but other things certainly) get released later here for absolutely no reason. Bastards.
4. Rowling. That's right, Rowling. Her new book is totally meh. I am glad it was only a mere $10.00, otherwise there would be trouble.
5. People who say that Facebook is the adult version of MySpace. Well, if you mean that it doesn't work as well, and isn't as much fun, you're right. If on the other hand you are referring to content then go to buggery - the fact is, on Facebook I can throw a sheep at someone, become a Pirate Lord, or simple become a fan of "Channel 4 News With Ron Burgandy". So basically, try and tell me it's more adult, and I'll rip your nipples off.
6. Morons on YouTube making the gayest little video compilations you ever did see, and then naming them things "New Batman Trailer", or "Star Wars Episode 7 Announced". Get off the internet you scabrous villains!
So there is a small list, which no doubt will be supplemented at some point by more whinging.
Have a nice week, Blake.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Time for a change
Sometimes in life, you get these strange moments when things become clear, or when things you knew to be true but hoped were not are revealed in their entirety and you are left with no real choice but to get on with things.
This happened to me today. Something that I had been refusing to fully accept or move past was essentially brought to a head, and consequently I've had to do some thinking about things. Ultimately, nothing really changes externally, but there is a degree of internal change that has to occur as a result of the day's revelations.
I won't go into pointless detail, because this isn't the place for it, but suffice it to say that I am now simultanously freer and yet more sad than I have been in an awfully long time.
Hoping you all have a lovely week, Blake.
This happened to me today. Something that I had been refusing to fully accept or move past was essentially brought to a head, and consequently I've had to do some thinking about things. Ultimately, nothing really changes externally, but there is a degree of internal change that has to occur as a result of the day's revelations.
I won't go into pointless detail, because this isn't the place for it, but suffice it to say that I am now simultanously freer and yet more sad than I have been in an awfully long time.
Hoping you all have a lovely week, Blake.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
In Parkes on Prac
Well, it's official. I'm out here in Parkes, NSW, on prac teaching. I'll be blogging about the adventures (or lack thereof) and will begin by saying - It's one heck of a long drive out here from the east coast, going 90km an hour. Mind you, the slower pace saved me petrol, but still, it makes for a long day, and I am now incredibly sleepy.
As for Parkes - it isboth bigger and more built up than I thought it would be (which is comforting, because I am not a fan of large, open spaces: they give me the wiggins), and I am looking forwards to Monday when I can begin the teaching. It will be awesome to have something to do. As for the morning, I am going to find a nice little cafe that serves pancakes, and enjoy the weekend (I work pretty much every weekend, so it's sort of a novelty to have one, even if I did have to travel about 500km to get it...).
Night all, Blake.
As for Parkes - it isboth bigger and more built up than I thought it would be (which is comforting, because I am not a fan of large, open spaces: they give me the wiggins), and I am looking forwards to Monday when I can begin the teaching. It will be awesome to have something to do. As for the morning, I am going to find a nice little cafe that serves pancakes, and enjoy the weekend (I work pretty much every weekend, so it's sort of a novelty to have one, even if I did have to travel about 500km to get it...).
Night all, Blake.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Obama for the Win!
I was overcome yesterday afternoon when Obama won the Presidential race. I am not an American - I'm a proud Aussie - and I have never even been to the States, but I sat there watching his speech yesterday on the verge of tears. I've followed Obama's campaign for the last year and a bit, and have been hoping against hope that this brilliant man would get in. And he did.
I believe that Obama is a signal of progress, acceptance, and hope to both America and the wider world, and that his winning the election allows people to pause and take stock of what is happening, and where we need to go from here. Electing him throws off the chains of the Republican government that has been strangling America for so long (and the rest of the world that has suffered under the incompetence of the Bush administration), and gives me over here in Australia a hope that America isn't dead yet.
Congratulations Obama, well done America.
I believe that Obama is a signal of progress, acceptance, and hope to both America and the wider world, and that his winning the election allows people to pause and take stock of what is happening, and where we need to go from here. Electing him throws off the chains of the Republican government that has been strangling America for so long (and the rest of the world that has suffered under the incompetence of the Bush administration), and gives me over here in Australia a hope that America isn't dead yet.
Congratulations Obama, well done America.
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