death · disco.

http://5foot50.blogspot.com/2008/08/monday18-08-everything-falls-apart.html

So we catch the local metro to Irun (getting very confused as it pronounced like ichun). There we fumbled our way to the international station at 8-30 in the morning. We queued in line and got to the front only to find that every train to Barcelona or Madrid was sold out until 3-30 in the afternoon. Not only that, there were no available trains from Madrid to Barcelona that day leaving after after we would arrive.

I had a small freak out. I just couldn't deal with it all. I thought my head was going to explode. Dani grabbed me and hugged me and told me everything was going to be ok. We stood there for a short time. I let her hold me until I could breath again.

We formulated a plan. We booked the train we could get plus the 6-30am Madrid to Barcelona for the next day. It was the earliest we could get. We took our bags and walked the near by streets. We found a reasonable private triple room in a Pension a few minutes from the station. We would spend most of that day recharging. We needed it. I hadn't showered since the Wednesday before, almost a week. I felt disgusting. Finally I got to wash my hair and scrub myself down. I felt so refreshed. Next we walked around until we found a shoppuing centre with a laundromat. We shopped for food and did a well needed clothes wash.

we got tea and coffee. We sat by the washing machines dunking dinosaur shaped chocolate cookies. I felt a lot happier than I had a few hours before. One thing I did notice was the language. we were in France,right on the west border with Spain. But all anyone spoke there was Spanish. It was my first real chance to try out my Spanish learning. I used it to find our way to the shops.

3 Oćlock came and we rushed back to the station. we spent the next 7 hours of that train getting to Madrid. We arrived at 11-30pm. We were still exhausted. We hadn't gotten a decent sleep in a real bed since before pukkelpop. We were numb as we moved from the train to the last runs of the metro from the North station to the South. Half the line was under reconstruction so we had to get off half way and take a special bus. Somewhere on the metro Josh managed to lode his jacket. I dont think anything really registered for us anymore.

Off the bus and into the other train station. It was just closing down. We were too late to drop our bags in a storage locker,so we were stuck with bags and tents for the night. We had 7 hours to kill, through the middle of the night in the middle of Madrid.

we were all so tired we became quite grumpy. At the drop of a pin we would make snarky remarks to each other or sarcastic responses to reasonable questions. We were also the poster children of indecisiveness. Eventually we decided to call a cab to find us a place to be. We wanted a late night bar that wasn't too busy so we could keep our bags with us. The driver Max knew only a little English. I tried to explain what we wanted with my limited Spanish and did an ok job I think. We remembered a cafe mentioned in the lonelyplanet that had amazing chocolate drink and churros. It stayed open all night. Max knew the place and took us straight there.

The place was hidden down an alley behind some closing pubs. The decor was almost Art Neuvou. The waiter was smartly dressed. The serviettes were blotting paper. The churros were indeed unbelievable. So was the chocolate sauce. We ate slowly to kill time somewhere warm and light and safe. Then we ordered juices that we drank even more slowly.

Just after 3 we were too tired and caught a cab back to the station. The driver was crazy. We sat against a wall by the station that was well lit and had a security guard near by. There were still a few hours before the station reopened its doors. Luckily it was a hot summers night.

We lay on our backpacks, drifting in and out of sleep....

I was also adviced to get myself a new car too. I like the sound of that!

http://www.qwantz.com/archive/001288.html

Project Wonderful - Your ad here, right now, for as low as $0.00

August 18th, 2008: This weekend Steve Carey brought his Saved By The Bell Quote Of The Day back online, and it's still great. Since everyone watched Saved By The Bell a blog where a funny guy reviews the episodes he watches at lunch is solid gold. It hasn't been updated in a while but the archives are back and I recommend them you guys!

I'm glad I am not my brother.

*

I'm trying to get my head around 4-dimensional people. That is, the difference between three dimensional objects that exist in four dimensions, and objects that are discretely four dimensional. It's very confusing.

*

I was standing in front of Danny to get a coffee today, and he was talking about the decline of our educational system, and how terrible life at university is, and how culturally illiterate everyone is. And then he started talking about how he was reading some student of Fichte's, who has really interesting ideas, and how no one seems to have provided a satisfactory solution to the problem this guy attempts: of how you can have material objects and light. You know, Danny's right. If only people were less aware of those nasty low culture ideas like "photons," and more aware of important things.

*

Now, the stuff in my bathroom, with short description.

( The stuff )

Current Mood:	tired
Current Music:	Shiny - The Decemberists

( more )

Model: Agyness Deyn
Photographer: Solve Sundsbo

( More )

iTunes says that Emiliana Torrini has a new song called "Me and Armini" and that her NEW ALBUM of the same name will be released WORLDWIDE on 8th of September!!!

OMG OMG OMG

1. Order of the Stick
This one is based on traditional Tolkien-esque fantasy (and computer games like Baldur's Gate (though I've only played the sequel), it looks like)... in stick figures! Having said that, however, these are by far the most professionally-drawn stick figures I've ever seen. You can tell the artist really knows what he/she is doing. Needless to say, this is hilarious, and points out all the annoying little fantasy cliches that I dislike so much. (Thank you!) This really appeals to my sense of humour. And yet, it's not one of those impossible-to-empathise-with comics that changes the characters and situation constantly - it has an in-depth plot and plenty of strong characters.

2. Girl Genius
At first I thought this looked like a very run-of-the-mill story that had nothing really original in it, but I gave it a chance. I'm very glad I did, because I couldn't have been more wrong! Although I'm not sure I really like the style of art (it's a bit messy, especially at the start in black and white), the artist is still extremely talented, and the story is even better. Well, honestly, the story is what really stands out for this. It's set on an alternate-history version of Earth which is full of mad scientists. So, naturally, this means there are a lot of incredible inventions lying around everywhere - not to mention metallic monsters and sort of vampire/zombie-like creatures (and more). The start is a bit boring and predictable, but it gets much better after a while. I kept myself up until 6am last night thanks to this, because, just as with a good book, I couldn't stop reading!

3. Inverloch
This seems to be a cross between traditional fantasy (with magical elves and cities full of thieves and so on), and an original fantasy. There are a lot of cliches in this one, but it says something about the quality of this that I don't really care! The art is amazing. The characters are all adorable - even the evil ones! The main character, Acheron, belongs to an original race called the Da'Kor (a short humanoid goat/lion?), who manage to successfully pull off being fierce and ridiculously cute at the same time. I'm not usually a fan of non-human main characters, but you can't help but love Acheron (unlike most main characters, he's genuinely nice and sweet)- and indeed everyone in this comic. I haven't finished reading this one yet, but it's excellent so far.

...of course, these recommendations are all based on the underlying assumption that you all enjoy fantasy. Otherwise, you might not like them. (But fantasy is so creatively wonderful!)

Current Mood:

cheerful

http://www.asofterworld.com

back next

http://www.qwantz.com/archive/001287.html

Project Wonderful - Your ad here, right now, for as low as $0.00

August 18th, 2008: This weekend Steve Carey brought his Saved By The Bell Quote Of The Day back online, and it's still great. Since everyone watched Saved By The Bell a blog where a funny guy reviews the episodes he watches at lunch is solid gold. It hasn't been updated in a while but the archives are back and I recommend them you guys!

http://5foot50.blogspot.com/2008/08/sunday-17-08-what-is-left-behind.html

So many people didnt even try to repack tents and matresses. They were just left to be cleared away by whosever job it was to deal with it. Abandoned deck chairs and even abandoned marquees. Everything left was ruined and dirty. We abandoned our matresses and Dani left the broken cow tent where it lay.

Campers walked in lines like refugees to the exit and escape. We walked with them and got onto a train fairly quickly. The lines to get on the train stretched on forever. I was thankful we got in the front of the queue. we even got seats on the train.

At the Brussels station we had to wait until evening to get our train to Paris. We spent the time cleaning up in the station bathroom and eating truffles. They were so beautifully tasty.

We hopped the train to Paris and from there the metro to another station. We ran and just made in onto our overnight train to Henday. We set ourselves down on the first bed we had seen in days and foudn some rest.

http://5foot50.blogspot.com/2008/08/saturday-16-08-day-3-pukkelpop-2008.html

We started with the black kids. They were good and the one songs was a triplet love moment. The rest of the set was only mediocre.

We walked around and got ice cream. Nevermind the non-rain, there was sunburn to worry about. We sat to listen to some bands under a tent and enjoyed toffee and ice cream and chocolate together.

Next we saw Yeasayer. They also, were just ok. I think both acts were unlucky to be on the stage with very poor sound. It ruined alot of the act. We ran to see the last half of MGMT. The tent was packed. Even the area around the tent was backed. We couldnt get anywhere near it. It was a pity but not worth standing around.

So we went to the petit bazaar. It was a small carnival and had a bunch of people painting. They were all standing around painting square wooden boards with spray paint and rollers. We found out that anyone was free to paint a square and that later they would be auctioned off to raise money for a youth fund. The three of us decided to share a board and make a triplet themed piece. I had so much fun painting. I had forgotten how much fun painting was. The piece was a tribute to our connection to each other.

We had extra time so we left the festival site to find cheaper food and red bull. There was no red bull to buy on site, which I thought was insane for a three day festival. We hid them in our bags to pass security and went back in. Dani and I got past the check point but they found Josh´s can so he had to skull it down.

We went for the first time to the main stage for block party. We were stuck behind raucous teens who were more interested in being on camera than in the music itself. After they were done we got as close to the centre of the stage as we could. Our whole area was filled with nice Australian girls whom we chatted to between sets.

The final act, Sigur Ros. A post rock group from Iceland, I was looking forward even more to seeing them since I missed my only other when they came to Perth. It was a pity that this chance was dulled by the only location we could get. We were at the front, but were stuck slightly off to the side. There were an enormous black block placed inconveniently high and right in front of us. The result being that all we could see was the block, the massive screen of the show infront of us and the lead singers head peaking over in the distance.

Despite the set backs it was a dream. His angelic vocals melted my heart and lifted me up. They started with Glossoli and then my all time favourite Hoppipolla (a song about jumping in puddles). They went threw many old songs and some new songs.

They started on the new single. Over the side sections of the audience exploded white crete paper bits. Over the centre section blew white confetti. This went on for the entirity of the song. After the song was done the "snow" continued to fall all threw the next song. I smiled the whole time.

After the show we moved to a tent to see crystal castles. I was suddenly hit by a wave of tiredness, my red bull have just worn off. I stepped out for some coffee and some fresh air. I watched the last stalls closed as the festival prepared for a year long hibernation. We made our way back to camp and slept.

http://5foot50.blogspot.com/2008/08/friday-15-08-day-2-pukkelpop-2008.html

Almost every band we wanted to see that day was at an undercover stage called the chateau. It was air conditioned I think because it wasn´t as hot as outside. There was also shade from the surprising amount of sun.

The first act we saw was the Dodos. I only knew a couple of songs but even that was enough to make me excited. We rushed to the bathrooms then to find a spot at the front. They were mind blowing. So much energy and so much sound for just three people. I am a total convert.

We stayed where we were at the front. We sat backs against the wall and drank some cherry beer until the next act. Caribou. They also blew my mind. Two strings and 2 percussion. Synchronised drum moves and seizure inducing light show. Well awesome and deserving of their reputation.

Again we sat by the stage. Soon the next band, Los Campesinos, were playing. They were fun but they didn´t blow my mind or inspire me like most the other acts had. Compared to what I had seen over the last few days these guys were nothing too special. Not that I didn´t enjoy their set. I had a great time. I had just been spoilt before. They played all my most beloved songs from their short repetior. We danced around.

We sat again in our positions and waited for Tuung to start. I had seen them play only a week earlier at Field Day, but needed to see them again. During the break I ran to fetch more beer. I also picked up a bag of goodies from the Haribo stall and was vegetarian spring rolls. We snacked on all these things. We shared them with the people around us. The dutch group we had made friends with were next to us again, we must have had similar taste.

Tuung were good for the second time. They played the same set as at Field Day. After Tuung we had a break so we got out of the tent to long needed fresh air. We walked around a bit more. Then we got some food from one of the stalls.

Than festival pasta.

The nest we wanted to see was Tokyo Police Club, on the same stage. We really wanted a prime spot so we decided to see the act before as well. They were called Alphabeat. We got pretty near the front just before they started. The first thing I noticed was that the crowd were all very young. Most of them looked a maximum of 16. But not in the way that most people think I look 16, I mean REALLY young. We wondered why they would all congregate here.

My question was answered when the band started to play. They were a light heart bubble pop electro band. They probably acheived quite high chart ratings. The girls screamed so loudly I was shaken from any tiredness I might have felt.

The crowd cleared out very quickly after the band finished, with only 4 or 5 people save us staying for the next act. This meant that we got an amazing spot to watch from. Tokyo Police Club were well worth it. We danced and sung and had a great time. We were beat by the end of the night so we basically went straight to bed.

http://5foot50.blogspot.com/2008/08/thursday-14-08-day-1-pukkelpop-2008.html

I changed clothes in the tent and washed with moist towelettes. There hadn´t been any rain that night so the ground was drying and not too muddy. The only still muddy area was the toilet block area. I wore my wellies to get there and then changed into my converse. The festival used the system by which a tent next to the toilets had staff giving out paper. I like it this way because the paper isn´t wasted and doesn´t run out.

I checked the bread we bought a day earier only to find it soaking wet from the moisture in the tent. So we needed to find another breakfast. Once everyone was done we crossed the road from the camp site to the festival site. This site had only just opened and so was much cleaner. We dropped our valuables off at a safe locker and bought food tickets. Breakfast was a foccaccia thick slice of pizza while we waited for Josh´s phone to charge at the charging station.

There wasn´t really anything I wanted to see on the first day until 6 when British Sea Power were on. So we wondered around a bit. We looked at the merch stalls and the food stalls and planed what we might eat on later days. As yet, there had been no rain. The dark clouds came and went without drama. The wind was not being so kind. It was chilly so Dani and Josh went to fetch our jackets.

Michael and I decided to take advantage of the eco reward system they seemed to have in place. 25 plastic drinks cups got you a sun visor and 50 got you a t-shirt. It was a clever way to keep the litter to a minimum. Although apparently other festivals gave you beer for them, which would have ben much much better. But a spare free t-shirt is still useful. So we joined the groups of people walking around with piles of other people´s cups. We only picked up the whole and not crushed cups. I didn´t even mind that we looked wierd doing it. It was kind of fun by the time we had a big pile. People would call us over and give us their cups when they were finished with them. It didn´t take long to reach 100 cups. By the time Dani and Josh were back with the jackets we both had cocacola shirts written in Chinese. They said "Coke is Chinese for delicious happiness".

We drank Flugel, a red energy drink with vodka and a duck on the small glass bottle.

We got lunch from some of the stalls before lying of the grass outside the ´marquee´ arena. We lay in the on-again-off-again sunshine. The nearby stage played the Pidgeon Detectives and then the Cribs. Dani bought us strange Belgian mini pancakes dusted with sugar. They were nice, if a bit undercooked.

We got spaces right at the front of British Sea Power. I was really impressed by them. They played some songs I knew off the older album. Even the new stuff I didn´t know was good. We met some cool Australians there and some Dutch guys.

Next we had a clash. We could either see Hot Chip who I loved, or we could see Henry Rollins (formerly of Black Flag) doing an hour and a half of spoken word. I decided I could more easily see Hot Chip at another point but had never seen Rollins before. I am 500% glad that I picked Henry. His work was so amazing. He has anger in his voice, but speaks with such passion. He even shed a descrete tear when he talked about hus visit to the killing fields. He was so eloquent and insightful. He gets up and travels to all the corners of the world just to see it for himself. He wants to know what is beyond the news reports and brings back incredible stories to tell his audience. He talked about war and disease and hope and courage. He talked about corruption and ignorance and needless hate. All these topics he covered with great humour and great humility. He inspired every person in that room so strive to make this world a better place. Maybe I exagerate, but truly left his tent feeling like the world´s problems were out there just waiting to be solved by ordinary people. I was full of energy.

Next was Mercury Rev. They were also energetic, leaving the crowd in a state of zen-like happiness. He sang with wonderous high pitched tones infront of psychodelic projections of suns exploding.

We were at the front barrier. I wouldn´t have it any other way. The next act I had been looking forward to for months.

I finally got to ses the flaming lips again! One of my most favourite bands. Wayne Coyne oversaw the preparations to the Lips stage spectacular. He tested the light-up gong and streamer guns and giant screen behind. The equipment and decorations were themed orange and yellow. Even the sound crew/roadies were wearing neon orange vests and hard hats. Wayne was wearing his traditional white suite and had his microphone camera playing on the screen behind as per usual. He kept shooting streamers over the crowd to keep them amped before the show.

The show started with Race for the Prize. Everything happened at once.

1- the flaming lips dancers came out. This time they were all dressed as telly tubbies. They danced around like crazy Belgians.

2- a shower of yellow balloons almost a meter in diameter fell on the crowd. Everywhere you looked where giant balls like yellow suns, bouncing above the heads and hands of the audience.

3- Wayne Coyne came out in his human sized hamster ball of love. He sailed on the crowd, spreading the joy that is the Flaming Lips to an ocean of smiling faces.

They than proceeded with an incredible set. There was an almost accoustic Yoshimi and Do You Realise to finish. So good.

After we went to Holy Fuck. Then to bed.

Do you colour coordinate your underwear?

By 'Yes, when I can' I mean: if you have a selection of bras and underwear, do you pick the same colours if they're there? And oops, the title should end with 'don't get too excited, this is pretty tame' rather than just 'don'.

Um, so wearing a [somewhat short] skirt seemed like a much smarter idea when I was at home and in front of the heater. O_o But oh man those stockings felt really good against my skin mmm.

Mum and I have been exploring the frozen food section of our supermarket to the fullest as of late due to lack of motivation to move away from the tv cook.

TAV TIME this Friday 4-6pm! Everyone should turn up [though it's um, looking doubtful if I can]. BUT EVERYONE SHOULD TURN UP ANYWAY!

Current Mood:	bouncy
Current Music:	mum on the phone & the tv