De Usuahia a la Quiaca

This is shown at the end of the movie Motorcycle Diaries.

I actually heard the soundtrack before I saw the movie, and have only seen the movie a few times. I absolutely adore the soundtrack, and have been listening to it for a few years now. It's such a gorgeous rich sound that is produced, and really compliments the stunning cinematography.

I particularly love this song "De Usuahia a la Quiaca" (please don't ask me what it means), and the photographs over it are so raw and really express a deep and strong sense of humanity in pure form, which I love! And is what I love about the film, its purity and honesty.

Motorcycle Diaries has really got me wanting to see South America. My overseas trip may have to be bigger than initially planned.

But, have a listen to this song and look up a few more songs on the soundtrack if you can, it is most definitely worth the listen.

I met this one in Newtown.

He is an odd little person.

A little trendy, but a little tired.

With eyes that have seen horrible things, no doubt.

He wouldn't tell me his name. And I can't guess what it would be.

He looked like he was glaring at me, but honestly, I just think he was intimidated by my extra dimension.

And there he stood- all day and all night.

Just watching the world walk by.




Hoping to be different, but not to be seen.

Ralfe Band

I recently watched Bunny and the Bull - which is a film by the creators of The Mighty Boosh, about Steven and Bunny who go on a trip around Europe.

It is honestly one of the best films I have ever seen, the story, the set, the characters, the animations, the cinematography, the whole thing is so vibrant and so very intricate in how it is written and how the story is told.

One of the things I love so much about the film is the soundtrack, which was all done by Ralfe Band, who have also previously collaborated with the Boosh on tours and on set. They are a fgeat folk sounding band with a hell of a lot of quirky sounds and juicy melodies. All their stuff is so well written and I am going to share with you a song of theirs called "Women of Japan", which itself, has an awesome animation over the top of it.

So, give these guys a listen, for the love of folk!!

George.

I haven't done a bloggy-wog since my birthday, so I thought I'd update this.

Today, Michael helped me buy trucks and wheels for my skateboard. I'm so excited, it was so much fun skating with him, instead of him watching and me feeling like a noob. Good fun, good fun!

I have not done much/any writing since the little Ukulele song, would love to get that going again soon. Anyone interested in joining me?

Um, have been spending time, and will again, in Sydney with Richard and the college kids, that was a great weekend. :) Went to an Alice in Wonderland themed Ball, and pretty much spent Saturday drinking and being merry!

Oh! And the Bohemian Masquerade Ball in Bathurst. That was oh so much fun!! Had a great time haning out with the travelling performing gypsies, especially loved chatting with Mojo Juju and Frankie Valentine...Divine girls!

I have been kind of down, but at the same time, trying to keep active and doing interesting things to keep me in a positive frame of mind. Such as above. I think as the sun comes out and things start to change with the weather, I'm feeling a bit more colourful and bubbly. I'm trying different things as well, such as the skating and the meeting new people and trying to be as interesting and as interested as I can be. Oh, and my trip is definitely exciting me, still little to no planning, but hey. . . where is the fun and adventure in planning? That's right. And the other side of the lack of planning is because the parents are gone, so I'm having difficulty trying to sit down and plan anything like tickets/insurance/medical stuff and so on. But they will be back soon. :D

I really got a taste for this gypsycore/dirty blues/burlesque stuff at the Masquerade ball. it's just so gritty and dirty and I fucking love it. It's a whole different kind of sexy. I'm quite sick of seeing the whole "sexy" thing being bleached blonde hair, orange make-up, artificial personalities and all the rest of that. In music too. "Sexy" in music is now considered auto-tuned voices and so much editing and producing that you no longer know what you are hearing. So much fucking around with effects and warping and distorting, it's now like musical plastic surgery. But back to the stuff that I'm listening to, it has such energy and such raw instrumentation and such a raw feel, that you can't help but be completely moved by it, to the point where you find yourself irish gigging and jumping off the walls.

siiiiiigh, what a rant. . .

When I get more lyrics and stuff written, I will post it.

Somebody Get Me Out Of Here

Hey Guys.

It's my Birthday!! J'ai vingt ans. A little old now. Ugh.

It's been a weird day, but it'll be OK, a few people are coming over shortly to celebrate.

But the main reason I'm blogging is because I have finished (well, added more) to my Ukulele song. I have put in some vocals and I think they really make the song sound full and well, like a song.

And I'd like to take now as an opportunity to apologise for the less than exciting visuals I do for my music. To be honest, I don't really have the resources, patience or need to do anything terribly out there (which is why I remain boring and stick to the one picture deal). Also, because I'm posting songs on youtube, not music videos. So, thats the reason why you don't have a hell of a lot to look at, I'm not trying to be artistic or minimalist or anything, I just can't be bothered making movies.

But enjoy the song, and let me know what you think.

Gemima Mills and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

God, I am hating work at the moment. I am treated like shit because they think I treat them like shit, but the only reason I treat them like shit, is because they treat me like shit. You know? One of those vicious cycles. Find the beginning of the circle kind of thing. Now, my main motivation is getting stuff finalised for Canada, ie when I leave and how much money I have. Tickets. Visa. Place to stay. Place to work. It's hard to get motivated about something that feels like it's being dragged away from you. no matter how much I work, I still don't have enough to get me anywhere.

The joys of saving.

I can't believe this feeling though, how raw and harsh it is. The feeling of being stuck, doing what you hate, dealing with those you are growing to hate (the ones who control your living with useless yet seemingly necessary money) for such a long time. And you can't get anywhere because you need the useless and necessary money which slips through your hands like water. I have had enough of this. I am willing. And I will get out of here before it kills me.

I think I nee to add a little light to this, so I have some new glasses. I love them. I'll put up some actual photos later. Photos that aren't the usual dodgy photobooth ones.

Might get some writing done tonight. Seems the go.

New Stuff

So, I have followed through with my promise, I have done a tiny bit of recording (I wouldn't call it writing, there was not alot of physical writing done.)

This one is just on Ukulele, it's nothing intense or technically challenging or anything, it's just a nice little 2 minute song.

Please also forgive the less than brilliant quality and messes with the timing, but I suppose it's not supposed to be a perfect song. So, HA.

I'd like to do some more songs similar to this style, laid back and chilled out kind of stuff. And hopefully the next ones will have a bit more movement in them. :)

But yes, for now, this is a bit of a starting point. Well, a re-starting point.

I am REALLY Happy.

I feel I should elaborate to flesh this whole post out, but maybe I don't need to.

I am perfectly happy.

Still not where I want to be, and certainly not doing what I want to do yet, but I'm happy with the fact that I am utterly motivated to get things going, and to stop living in neutral.

Things have been great. And that's all I really need to say right now.

When I start writing again (soon, very soon) and doing more stencils and the like, I will start this blogging business again and make it a hell of a lot more interesting than it has been.

But for now reader/s(?), be content with my content state. :D

He will probably hate this photo, but I love it. Here is Michael. <3

Better! - - ish...

Well, it seems I'll be able to sing without too much trouble tonight, this has probably been the quickest recovery of them all. Mind, I have been completely obsessive with herbal tea drinking and trying to keep warm - although my feet and fingers are still freezing, it's bizarre. And I still have a bit of a ruddy dose but apart from that, things are looking up. :)

I still need to make plans and start setting stuff in concrete for Canada - I think I just have enough money to sort out at least my visa and plane ticket. Then after that, I'll need to keep saving and maybe get a 2nd job again. A second job sans crazy chefs and no business. I have been putting off making plans for some time now, which is bad, it just means I have to stay in this fucking town longer.

And I also want to get some more writing done. I have been listening to a vast mix of bands and songs lately and I want to write stuff that I actually enjoy listening to as well as playing.

I guess spending 3 or more days in the same spot prompts you to be more creative and proactive with the things you want to do and the things you enjoy doing.

This is me today.

Eastern Glow - The Album Leaf

So this is a new band that Michael has introduced me to. They are growing on me rapidly. Very rapidly indeed.
I love the space they create and the simplicity of it all. It's great to sit down to. Very "I'm happy to be left alone to this" music.

On the music note (no pun intended), Greg and I are playing at 4loor this Saturday, which I'm rather excited about, however suddenly alot more nervous, because this sickness I spoke of in my last post had been hiding in the shadows and jumped out and annihilated me this morning. Which means for me, lots of tea, honey, rugs and positive thinking. Not so easy to keep that up when you are struggling to breathe out your nose. One nostril has even started toot-ing. God fucking dammit.

Hopefully it clears up rather quickly and I don't lose my voice.

Rent is also creeping up at an alarming rate and y'all better be there. Y'all of course being whoever reads this? I guess?

Hanli has also kindly given me some cool stencilling paper which I'm yet to put any designs on, I've been meaning to do some more, but it has been way way too cold to go galavanting into the night and leaving footprints everywhere. But hopefully it'll warm up soonish.

And I also can't wait for my next skating lesson. Hahaha thats right, readers... I now skate - - ish. It is awesome fun and I recommend giving it a go. :D

So yes, that is where I'm at, at this stage. :D

The Conversation.

My brain is all mushy.

Lack of sleep from last night.

Work in less than an hour.

Feeling a little sick as well. Why does my body decide now would be a good time to get a bloody cold/flu? Now that I'm trying NOT to smoke and I have 4loor and RENT coming up like uh... really soon. Nice one, immune system. You bastard.

Anyway, I'm posting another video that I cried to. This is Julia Nunes and I'm a little bit in love with her, check out her big eyes and her amazing voice and in this video check out her "I'm not going to cry" face. D: . This is a Motion City Soundtrack cover of hers, but she also does originals on Ukulele and all that kind of stuff.

A Failed Piece Of Christmas Spirit...

This week has been crazy!

We have builders in and around my house on a regular basis, our house is being ripped up and reformed to something that will hopefully be better. We have had to try and move as much stuff as possible out of our main living area, which means other parts of the house are posing as other other parts of the house. So, the laundry is now the kitchen, the spare bedroom is the living room, the smallest room in the house where we hang all the washing and do the ironing is now the dining room and the main living area is a vast echo-y empty space, not unlike the abyss.

The back and front yards now look like a massive shitty sand pit with Tonka trucks that have been forgotten by the little kidlettes that were playing with them at recess. And the only way i can get to my bedroom (which is now riddled with gravel and dirt) is through the laundry door on the other side of the house.

I can't wait until its all finished, it's going to take some time though...

Also, in my parents attempt to get rid of things we don't need in the most practical way possible, every night when we have dinner, we must have one Christmas Bon-Bon. It's both hilarious, and at the same time inevitably disappointing. Any normal family would only have to put up with the crappy "toy", the crappy "joke" and the paper hat which makes everyone look ridiculous only once every year. But we have to do this every night until they run out. A truly failed piece of Christmas Spirit. In July.

On the up-side, I have spent the last three nights at Michael's house. So much fun!!! This is where I am right now. Oh, the adventures. :) I have gone back to my normal self, and I am rather happy. :D :D :D

The parents return this afternoon, so I have to go back to the topsy turvy demolition site.

I'm also putting up some crappy Photo Booth photos which I took about 5 minutes ago.

Finally!!!

New Stencils, check em...

Also, they are at the skate park if you want to have a sticky beak. :)

The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me)

I am back to my love for Tom Waits, I can honestly not get enough of this man.
These lyrics are just gorgeous, and the piano does actually sound like it has been drinking. Tom, you clever clever son of a bitch...



The Piano Has Been Drinking

The piano has been drinking
my necktie is asleep
and the combo went back to New York
the jukebox has to take a leak
and the carpet needs a haircut
and the spotlight looks like a prison break
cause the telephone's out of cigarettes
and the balcony's on the make
and the piano has been drinking
the piano has been drinking...

and the menus are all freezing
and the lightman's blind in one eye
and he can't see out of the other
and the piano-tuner's got a hearing aid
and he showed up with his mother
and the piano has been drinking
the piano has been drinking

cause the bouncer is a Sumo wrestler
cream puff casper milk toast
and the owner is a mental midget
with the I.Q. of a fencepost
cause the piano has been drinking
the piano has been drinking...

and you can't find your waitress
with a Geiger counter
And she hates you and your friends
and you just can't get served
without her
and the box-office is drooling
and the bar stools are on fire
and the newspapers were fooling
and the ash-trays have retired
the piano has been drinking
the piano has been drinking
The piano has been drinking
not me, not me, not me, not me, not me

I'm also currently listening to "Little drop of Poison" which is another fantastic song by him. My god.

So, this week has been rather nocturnal and crazy. As fun as it has been, I actually can't wait to get back into a regular sleeping pattern. I have lost so much sleep and the days have just kind of blended into each other. So this Saturday I will stay at home, cosy myself up and rest. Might also read Tom Waits' biography. Oh, and Michaels script. :D Making a new stencil might be doable as well. I was thinking of doing a bat, Tom Waits, or a few of the Ministry Of Silly Walks poses. Let's see how they turn out.

Oh, Boy!

I have decided I look much like a boy today. This is what happens when you wake up late and neglect any kind of hair styling or make-up when you are me. If I had a twin brother, this is what he would look like. Mind you, this collared shirt from work and the jacket aren't helping either. In black and white, I could maybe look like one of the Beatles.

Anyway, I am watching the car yard for mum today. This means, lots of sitting and maybe answering a phone...should it ring. Its awesome though, because they have this massaging thing that you sit on your seat and you plug it in and then you are massaged and warmed. So, all is well!

I should probably update the very recent events.
I am IN A RELATIONSHIP. Haha I hate saying IN A RELATIONSHIP. It sounds so bloody serious and grown-up. Eww. But Michael is lovely. :D Brilliant musician. And his hair is amazing.

I have to do a presentation at work tomorrow night on Garage Band. And even though it's not really a big event or anything, I am a little bit shitting myself. Although, I did make this hilarious song on GB and that will be a, lets say, "interesting" ice-breaker. Rather weird and quirky little introduction to the software.

But yeah. Thats pretty much all I can think of at the moment. I should get writing soon. We have a gig in August. While I'm here, may as well spend the time doing that. I have a couple more songs to write for. :D

Ok, I've also taken a couple of Photo Booth pics of me looking manly. Hehehehehe enjoy muchly. Oh and if you read this, Leave a comment and let me know if I look better as a boy or girl. Hahahaha

Momma Sed - Puscifer

So I have recently been introduced to Puscifer, and I'm in love with it!! Maynard James Keenan is one of my favourite people in the entire world, there is nothing he has created which I haven't fallen madly in love with. I haven't yet had the chance to listen to the whole album, but this will be the month where I listen to nothing but this one album.



There is something wrong with me I think right now. I don't feel comfortable or normal or creative or anything. I spend my days planning escapes, followed through with one yesterday (I quit one of my jobs) and I hate everything again. I'm so unmotivated. I wish I was something else right now. Something better.

Success!

So I have been doing a little bit more with this stencil art and it's actually turning out ok! I'm so very proud of myself! Iv'e made up a basic stencil of an old school microphone and painted it onto some art paper. Just one layer, quite basic, but very effective. :)

And excuse the poor photo quality, but my memory card is ruined!!! which means i need a new one which also means I can't upload new pictures onto my computer (I have lost the usb cable for my camera as well so UGH.). So I have taken this photo with Photobooth and cropped it! Hahaha talk about improvisation.

But I digress. Heres the beginnings of my stencil art.

I am also going in a few minutes to get my hair cut, so I'll put up photos of my new cut later on. :D

Experimenting

So, I've had this intrigue with graffiti and stencil art for some time now, and today I have had a little play with a couple of stencils I've made and some spray paint which I just bought.

At the moment, it's probably not great quality (in fact, I'm sure it's not), but it's the first time I've actually used spray paint and stencils before, so I guess the only thing to do is practise and hopefully get better.

The stencil I made was of Kurt Cobain holding his arms in the air wearing a baggy black and white jumper. It looks really cool, but i have to keep practicing and hopefully I'll get it right soon.

Dreamin'

So my dreams have been few lately, but really vivid. And really hard to remember. But I do know I dreamt about Canada this morning and there was this look out where if you stood on the top, you would see something completely different each time. And no one knew about the look out. And then the people I was with (I can't remember who was there) decided to go home, so I went with them, and Orange itself was colder than Canada in Winter. So we went back to Canada. :D

And yeah there have been a few of those recurring dreams of being in attics which are like mazes and they keep going up and up and up. I have lots of those dreams.

I can remember a really small fraction of a dream I had a couple of nights ago, the only bit I remember is seeing my friends face kinda close up, but all distorted and warped, like he was behind broken glass or something. It's really odd that that's all I can remember from that dream.

How crazy are the recurring dreams though, right? I used to have one years ago about being at Pa's house, the house was different in the dream to how it was in real life, but it was always the same in the dream. And I had a couple of dreams where at night an Aboriginal tribe would come and tell us that our property was on their land and then they would haunt/curse us until we left. They were always in traditional war paint and everything too.

And for some obscure and bizarre reason, I seem to always have dreams about MASSIVE toilets, as in like the toilets a school or something, not one massive toilet, but the rooms are MASSIVE and they keep winding through corridors and each cubicle is unique. Love those dreams. :D

But yes, usually I tell people about my dreams, but no one is here, so I thought I'd blog about them.