Mind games

Dig, Lazarus, Dig

shazlaw — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:23:07 GMT

Nick Cave is back. He still can't dance but he is in story telling mode all over again. http://www.nickcaveandthebadseeds.com/diglazarusdig/ One review describes it as Cave conjuring a world of his own imagining - not a world most of us would want to venture into without body armor, a crucifix... or a dictionary. As verbose and intellectual as it is scary and unsettling, Dig is a baffling, dark masterpiece in which Cave deliberately sets out to massage the pleasure centers of the psyche. (Manchester Evening News) Released in the States - April 8th.

A Pictorial Guide to Life in China

shazlaw — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:11:49 GMT

'wallowing in toxic apathy with the rest of us'. http://www.sinosplice.com/china/pictguide/

Tips for travelers to Barcelona

shazlaw — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:09:39 GMT

1.Take up smoking before you leave. Smoke and food is the staple diet in Barcelona. 2. Before your trip, suck up as much exhaust fumes as you can (try to get high premium diesel if available) Narrow streets choked in a fog of exhaust fumes, scooters/motor bikes without mufflers make you feel as if your brain stem is slowly liquifying. Best to be prepared for it. 3. Go to the beach and dig up all the creep crawlies you can find. Include cute baby crabs, octopus tentacles, whole prawn heads, and moosh them together with rice. Eat this concoction for at least a week to be ready for the delicacies you will find in Barcelona. 4. Eat a big breakfast, because who knows when you will eat again during the day. Waiting until 2:30 for lunch, or 9pm for dinner, may send you into a sugar crashing spin. 5. Melt down 2 or 3 chocolate bars, add two or three tablespoons of sugar. Do not add milk. Drink / spoon this thick sauce into the mouth) Voila....Barcelona's hot chocolate. 6. Do get out of the city, and travel up the coast to Costa Brava. The air is clean (relatively) and the quieter pace of life is lovely. 7. Visit Figueres (Dali Museum), Besalú (a medieval town), Cadaques, and Port Lligat (Dali's home) and Park Güell. 8. Be aware that a lot of the tourist attractions are either under construction or are being remodeled. A huge billboard will appear over the area telling tourists - 'nothing to see here - go home'. 9. Take the Metro whenever you can. It is fast, clean, and includes cute beepy sounds when a stop is coming up. 10. When speed walking through the streets of Cadaques chilled to the bone, and your nose is about to fall off from the frigid wind, DO NOT take the first hotel you see. It is sure to be warm and cozy in the foyer, but that is only a cruel trick to prepare you for the cold, austere hotel room that spews cool chilling air all night long.

Xmas Party at Encounter Studio

shazlaw — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:07:45 GMT

It's that time of the year again! ......Time for Xmas cheer in the form of Brandy, Beer, and most importantly, for all forms of Booze-aholics to unite! So, join us at Encounter Studio for a Xmas party to celebrate the festive season. Date: Friday December 7th Time: 7-11pm Bring: Your favorite Xmas liquid cheer and food for a pot-luck dinner. Location: Encounter Studio, Potrero Hill. (Email me if you don't know the address) We will meet up with old friends, watch classic Xmas animation, and enjoy background Xmas songs guaranteed to make you drink even more. Come see the fairyland-lit up space, decked out with Xmas tree, flying reindeer, strategically placed mistletoe, and assorted sparkly festive crap. $5 donation suggested to help pay for the new Xmas stove - 'Stella'. Stella's cooked wares of Xmas scones and Xmas pudding will be worth the donation alone! See you next Friday night... 'Twas 18 days before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, 'cos the 3 Encounter Studio cats ate the mouse. Go GInger! Go Vermina! Go Sasha Bella!

Bye bye Johnny...

shazlaw — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 23:19:42 GMT

Everyone in Australia votes today. 13.5 million voters out of 20 million people. Gotta love compulsory voting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_electoral_system

Fake Motorcade at APEC

shazlaw — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 18:10:40 GMT

Iconoclasts at their best. 'The Aussie government is spending 170 million on APEC security, which includes a lot of technological crap - such as choppers flying around blocking mobile phone signals, and all you need is 3 cars, a couple of flags, and a fake sticker to bypass all that security.' They were only stopped when Chas stepped out dressed up as Osama.. http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/06/apec.fake.motorcade.ap/index.html (be sure to watch the video)

Make Science easier

shazlaw — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 16:05:04 GMT

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/education/article2344054.ece Some unbelievable quotes: "70% 'low demand' questions requiring simpler or multiple-choice answers in the exam papers are required." “Part of the desire is that the student can come out of the exam with a feeling of success that they have actually tackled a significant proportion of the questions, and achieved the best grade expected,” he said. “The vast majority of candidates taking this exam are going to achieve grades D to G, and they deserve a positive experience of science." Positive experience of science and a feeling of success. Did I miss the part about learning something? "We do need to support the lower-ability students. But there is a danger that, in trying to ensure you have access for the majority, you limit the minority.” There you have it. We need to produce lazy, dumb-ass students who feel good about themselves, but don't know shit. And of course, we get kids who lack any critical thinking skills, with no internal motivation to tackle a challenge when it presents itself, and wouldn't know academic rigor if it came and bit them in the butt.

Astray

shazlaw — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:52:26 GMT

Asleep beneath the dissolving sky Enveloped in spiral stairs With quiet desire Dreams come calling. Just a clinging on With slip of hand Between mist and night The maze of gargoyles retreat. I call you by your name Through the walls of Dark reprieve And esoteric abandon. To relive a life Just a single one On the rock Who could have known, but no one. Painting my sleep with colors Dark and scarlet You touch And my mind goes astray.

Freak out Friday

shazlaw — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 03:37:34 GMT

Calling all freaks, misfits, and friends. A Freak-Out Friday movie night is happening this Friday, June 15th at Encounter Studio. 'The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes' by the Brothers Quay. If you want an experience that will infect your senses, and draw you into the murky imaginations of the Quay Brothers, then this is your night. This movie is simply hypnotic. 'The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes' is surrealistic pathology at its' best. Come experience it for yourself. Doors open at 8pm, and the movie begins at 8:30pm. “What happens in the shadow, in the grey regions, also interests us—all that is elusive and fugitive, all that can be said in those beautiful half tones, or in whispers, in deep shade.” - The Brothers Quay

'What ya gonna do when they come for you?'

shazlaw — Mon, 07 May 2007 17:33:13 GMT

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/05/06/1178390140855.html A slashdotter said it best: "We are eagerly waiting for RIAA and other US parties to sue 500 million Indian and 500 million Chinese for breaking US IPO Laws. 1000 million more prison inmates give a whole new meaning to prison statistics. Copying is stealing Sharing is evil. Beware the sin-o-meter of the money-hungry corporate hordes.

Church of Starbucks

shazlaw — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 17:06:52 GMT

Sometimes my job requires that I sit in Starbucks and work. I have never had a cup of coffee in my life.... ever, but there is always a Starbucks close by, so I usually end up working there a couple of times a week. Lately I have stumbled on quite an interesting phenomenon. With headphones on to block out the sugary, treacle-dripping music, I have noticed that Starbucks has become the breeding ground for people pushing agendas....proselytizing even. Yesterday, despite obviously working at my laptop with headphones on, a woman offered me some 'love and honey so I could get my work done for the day'. She had previously held the hand of a complete stranger before approaching me, and was determined that everyone in her close proximity would feel the love she had to offer. 'God bless you then, dear' was her parting shot, as I rejected her god-foresaken handshake. From regular Bible study sessions to guys trying to sell pyramid schemes of health drinks derived from the Amazon rainforest, there seems to be no end to the amount of zealous conversion freaks preying on the gullible. An older man is often in Starbucks and always talks to anyone next to him, spouting forth about his faith, and his church...blah blah.. I have no problem with people having their own delusional beliefs. However, when that 'Excuse me.. have you found Jesus...' crap starts, I lose it. What is it with people and their need to proselytize with such zeal and fanaticism?

Are You a Slob?

shazlaw — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 18:10:31 GMT

.....Good. You're more productive. http://slashdot.org/articles/07/03/21/1312258.shtml from the but-i-like-right-angles-and-straight-rows dept. Quote of the Day: 'Neatness is overrated, costs money, wastes time and quashes creativity'. Guess I'm just a neat-freak, time-wasting, money-costing, overrated, creative-thought-black-void, non-clutterer, anti-artist type girlie.

Happy Birthday Einstein

shazlaw — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:56:37 GMT

You don't look a day over 150! Urban Dictionary meaning: Einstein 1. a really smart guy 2. a complete idiot

Speak-a like-a me-a

shazlaw — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:08:01 GMT

Aussies are quite an inventive lot. Here are some colorful phrases to get you prepared for Friday night - the Aussie Day Party. Oi Oi Oi. Enjoy. Call me on the 'dog and bone' = phone I'm so hungry I could eat a 'dog’s eye' = Meat pie Where's my 'Reg Grundys'? = undies Going to 'steak and kidney' = Sydney She's my 'trouble 'n' strife' = wife Have a 'Captains Cook' = look What this needs is a little 'dead horse' = sauce Want a 'pig's arse'? = glass He's a 'septic tank' = yank How many 'saucepan lids'? = kids

Australia Day Party!!

shazlaw — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 18:13:54 GMT

Calling all dags, drongos, and assorted yobbos, Strewth! It's that time of the year again to celebrate the discovery of the Land of creepy crawlies, beer, and Dame Edna. Yes, this Friday January 26th, is Australia Day and it's a great reason to party and share a tinnie (beer) with a mate or two. It will be better than a brown-eyed mullet, for sure. Aussie Day is usually marked with 'stone the crows' drinking binges, playing footy in the backyard, and a thong throwing contest or two on the beach. But this year it takes a turn for the worse - Come chuck a wobbly at Encounter Studio. Date: Friday, January 26th Time: 7:30pm - 11pm. Grub: Pies, pasties, sausage rolls, Pavlovas (no promise that they will even be edible) and beer. And don't be a wuss - try the Vegemite sandwiches. BYO whatever else you want to eat or drink. Location: Encounter Studio, Potrero Hill. (message me for the address) Fair suck of the sav! Come join us for fun and frivolities. Don't be bludgers..get your butt over here for a rip snorter of a night. Cheers, Shaz P.S. Brush up on your Aussie talk : http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html

Barney is telling me something

shazlaw — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 15:53:55 GMT

Bob Woodward's latest book breaks the story that President Bush's key war advisor is Barney. He quotes Bush saying, "I will not withdraw (from Iraq), even if Laura and Barney are the only ones supporting me." I've heard that Barney is having second thoughts.

Crocodile Hunter Tribute Night

shazlaw — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 20:20:18 GMT

G’day mates, If you have ever been close to a TV screen when Steve Irwin was on, you could not help but be startled by his crazy antics, his yelps of enthusiasm, and his passion for his work. Now Steve has died, doing what he loved best. Come relive the hyper-enthusiastic, thrill-seeking Aussie at the special ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Tribute film night. Date: Wednesday, September 6th (tomorrow!) Time: 7:30pm doors open 8pm – ‘Crocodile Hunter’ movie begins Address: Encounter Studio, Potrero Hill. (email me for directions) Bring: munchies and drinks if you want. The film – ‘Crocodile Hunter’ is a longer version of his TV shows, with Steve Irwin spouting “Crikey” and “You bewdy” as he comes face to face with the crocs. Come see Steve at his best with his short, short khaki shorts, his baby face, and his loud Aussie yelps and crazy, larrikin ways! For more information on Steve: http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/crochunter/crochunter.html

No intrinsic meaning

shazlaw — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 18:09:29 GMT

As Carl Jung pointed out, “Life itself is a grave disease with a very poor prognosis. It lingers for years and invariably ends with death". There is limitless capacity for people to delude themselves that there is more. I am not related to something infinite... and this is liberating.

Bad puppets

shazlaw — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 16:22:11 GMT

I have the answer to the questionable state of US education: Sick, twisted and subversive puppets. Give the kids a bad puppet at an early age and they may have a chance. If kids get the truth spiked with cynicism early, then maybe we will have more walking, talking, AND thinking people. Learn to count the fun way with Wonder Showzen - Counting : http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2698499?htv=12 Kids could learn all about the US Global Policy in 30 seconds: http://youtube.com/watch?v=59TeDyQz4_U Why America is #1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=c1ccdEdodOs

Mongolian Ping Pong

shazlaw — Mon, 29 May 2006 23:01:00 GMT

Mongolian Ping Pong is a good movie. Not a lot of the movies showing lately, really catch my attention, but this is a wonderful tale showing a family's separation from civilization and their daily life separate from the outside world. When a traveling salesman visits their isolated home he introduces them to..a new kind of tea from America...coffee. It really taps into the amazement and wonder of childhood and the final scene is delightful. See it if you can. It is currently showing at Balboa, and if you can sit through some homeless people snoring, and the old rickety chairs, it is well worth it.

Jesus needs new clothes

shazlaw — Tue, 23 May 2006 16:55:30 GMT

Jesus really needs to 'hip' up his wardrobe, don't you think? http://www.jesusdressup.com/ Or Satan: http://www.normalbobsmith.com/satandressup.html# Also join in the exhaustive campaign to make Satan repent: http://www.normalbobsmith.com/satanssalvation/ -the unholy army of catholic school girls+1

We slaved over a hot grad. cake to get where we are

shazlaw — Tue, 09 May 2006 18:26:41 GMT

Expectations and standards for students in schools, have always fascinated me. After being in the US for a few years, I remain perplexed at the diminishing education system, student's unwillingness to 'work hard' to achieve, and their sense of entitlement. Not that working hard is the only factor in the equation of success, but it is a large chunk of the whole learning process. (that.. and higher expectations by teachers...molly coddling is the evil twin of 'make me feel good' mentality) The national and state results speak for themselves. 2005 National SAT scores for 8th graders: Proficient level of Math - 22% Proficient level of Language Arts - 21% (National Center for Educational Statistics - 2005) California (AP) -- A judge said Monday he is likely to prohibit the state from requiring that high school seniors pass an exit exam to graduate, siding with attorneys who say the test discriminates against the poor. Despite having 7 chances to take the exam, beginning in 10th grade...and it tests 7th grade math and 10th grade reading skills (this is a high school exit exam in name only) about 11% of this year's senior class has yet to pass the English and Math exit exam. "Even if we don't pass the exit exam, it doesn't mean we don't deserve a diploma," said a 10th-grader . "We do go to school and try to learn." Poor baby... give her that shiny piece of paper..and she will feel so much better about herself. P.S. Apologies to Brandon and Jen for using their pic...obviously they made the grade..in cake baking.

Surrealism

shazlaw — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 16:30:00 GMT

“When I was five years old I saw an insect that had been eaten by ants and of which nothing remained except the shell. Through the holes in its anatomy one could see the sky. Every time I wish to attain purity I look at the sky through flesh.” “There are some days when I think I'm going to die from an overdose of satisfaction.” Salvador Dali

The child

shazlaw — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 18:17:58 GMT

Under the Covers The dream catcher lies in wait Coaxing and conjuring The child to play Eyes flicker in darkness A slow numbing overpowers As the child runs past Forgotten labyrinths and mazes Into the dawn With innocent laughter The unruly child romps And remembers its' corridors With screams of terror Around familiar corners The unleashed child Squanders memories Subdued for a moment Curled up in fetal array Releasing the child of the Dream catcher

Flaunt and Taunt

shazlaw — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 17:44:19 GMT

O, the humiliation of the Irish. Every Saturday morning my father would take myself and my three sisters to the local dancing hall, where we endured the torture of Irish dancing. Of course, the misery began way before we stepped out of the car. For a night of pure hell (sometimes for 2-3 nights) we suffered the agony of having to sleep in tightly wound rags around our locks. We tossed and turned, made miserable faces, complained a lot, and yet our parents were determined that this tiny piece of *the homeland* be instilled in us. And heaven help us, if the curls did not spring to life! We were at the mercy of my mother's wrath, from the moment the rollers were released. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were often called to intervene on our somewhat flat and bounceless curls. A trip to the confessional where we had to blurt out, that indeed we did loosen those damn rollers and seek eternal forgiveness, was often part of our weekly ritual. And as if the humiliation of wearing green costumes, complete with white lacy knickers was not almost enough to tip us over the edge to becoming nuns, (the black-veiled-mumbling-to-self-look began to have its' appeal) we had to carry the obligatory *magic wand*. Who the hell knew what a magic wand was for, but the total package looked like a fairy-leprechaun-fluffy-knickered-elf-on a bad hair day. Despite my initial reluctance, the opportunity to taunt and flaunt myself in front of all the brothers waiting in the hall, who sat googly-eyed watching, had its' own rewards. The sight of demure catholic girls high kicking and showing a touch of frill and lace, sent the helpless boys into a spin. I always seemed to end up in the front row where I had to lead the less experienced dancers, and was able to go into a brief, forbidden world. Irish torture didn't seem so bad after all.