7 UP
Tagged by Melly -
Seven songs I am listening to right now ... here goes.

1. Ozone - Dragostea Din Tei
2. Katie Melua- The Closest Thing To Crazy
3. Dean Martin- On An Evening In Roma
4. Jamie Cullum - 21st Century Kid.
5. Stacey Kent - OOH-SHOOBEE-DOO-BEE
6. Madeleine Peyroux - You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go
7. Linda Eder - I'd Like To Hate Myself In The Morning

The Third Pick-Up

I guess we all have little rules we apply to ourselves in certain circumstances.
One of my favourites is one I share with my oldest and dearest friend. Goes like this.

You're browsing through a CD store, or Book-Store, any store you enjoy browsing in. You spot an item that looks interesting, unknown, but something about it takes your notice. You have a look, put it back, and keep browsing. After a bit you find yourself back at that first item. You pick it up again, check it out a bit more, put it back again - perhaps a little more reluctantly this time. You keep browsing. Nothing really seems to grab you, and you know what its like when you HAVE to spend some money ! . . . except . . . . where was that one I looked at before ? You find it, still undecided, you pick it up again.
Bingo. The Third pick-Up Rule now applies. You have to buy it, there is no escape.

It's simple, right? And I am pleased to be able to say that in most cases it has been successful.

ESSENTIAL ACCESSORY

Imagine how reassuring it will be to know that next time you are abducted by aliens, they will have no problem returning you safely to Earth.
Of course, this will land you somewhere in Middle America . . .
Go to http://www.earthbounddog.com/

WHAT STAR SIGN SHOULD YOU BE ? You Should Be A Gemini

What's good about you: witty and energetic, you're simply the most fun to be around What's bad about you: you're flighty - losing interest in people and projects quickly In love: you enjoy the "honeymoon phase," but after that it's hard for you to stick around In friendship, you're: likely to have many groups of friends, with many different interests Your ideal job: mime, guru, or cartoonist Your sense of fashion: casual and simple You like to pig out on: fast food, especially burritos

What Sign Should You Be?

(I'm actually Libra.)

Another Melly challenge You scored as Deep Space Nine (Star Trek). You have entered the dark side of the Star Trek universe. The paradise of Earth is far from you and you must survive despite having enemies on all fronts. But you wouldn't have it any other way because you thrive in conflict and will know what needs to be done to take care of those around you. Now if only the Founders would quit trying to take over the galaxy. Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 94% Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 94% SG-1 (Stargate) 88% Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 88% Serenity (Firefly) 81% Moya (Farscape) 81% FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) 81% Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 75% Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 75% Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 69% Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 56% Enterprise D (Star Trek) 50% Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com

The Theory of Pearls
The art of embellishment

Composer Jerry Herman, hot on the heels of huge successes with "Mame" and "Hello Dolly", took a risk in 1969 with a musical based on Giradoux's "Mad Woman of Chaillot and failed spectacularly.
"Dear World" is probably not deservng of such a failure, but it is flawed. It's low point is undoubtedly the title song. Its high point "The Tea Party" is a tantalising glimpse of what Herman might have done if he had succeeded in writing a serious musical.
In the Tea Party the Madwoman of the title gathers together her two fellow mad-women (of the Flea Market and Montmartre) to save Paris and the planet from the madness of Big Business. And in the middle of the Tea Party we come to this short interchange.

M: Suppose I were to say your pearls were false ?
C: They were, they were.
M: I'm not asking you what they were, I'm asking what they are.
C: Surely you must know when you wear pearls, that little by little the pearls become real.
M: And isn't it the same with memories ?

Memories are pearls, and conciously or unconciously over the years our memories shift and change, we embellish and edit as it suits the moment, and little by little we lose track of the changes. Still, our memories are our realities, the only reality our past can have.

Melly copped two of my pearls at lunch today, and suggested I should be writing them up here. Parallel lines of thought - I'd been considering that was maybe where this blog should be heading. Well, we'll see what happens.

Watch this space.

BROKEBACK DAY


Australia Day public holiday last week, an expected temperature over 40C, and the long awaited (for me anyway) opeing of Brokeback Mountain.
Arranged to meet N for the second session, arrive there an hour or so before to find the seesion sold out, and people already queued to get in and get their preferred seating. Bought tickets for the next sessionwhen N arrived, then headed off to find a cool bar. Found a new one to me - a Bier Cafe. Like the idea and liked the bar. Kinda lucky we couldn't get in to that session of the movie, N and I had a bit if catching up to do. Talked our heads off, and didn't have too many beers.

So. The film. I'd been so looking forward to it. I was not disappointed. I have to say straight up this is not a gay film any more than it is a cowboy film. Its a film about two people who fall in love, unexpectedly and dangerously, a love they initially cannot understand or accept. So, is it just a love story, a sort of chick flick with a twist ? No, there is much more to it. I does deal with prejudice, and with what the pressure to conform can do to people's lives (pay attention to the wives) but it is basically about love. And it succeeds in being the most powerful film about that overworked topic I've seen in a long. long time.

It helps of course to have two of the hottest young actors on the scene playing the leads. Heath Ledger's performance is nothing short of amazing, supported by Jake Gyllenhal's beautifully tailored character. It is Ledger's film (as it should be, it is Ennis' story). Ang Lee's direction never falters, his vision of the film is breathtaking.

Ten days since I saw it and I can't shake it. Still thinking about it, still feeling for the characters. Wonderful extract in the weekend papers from Annie P. stating she has experienced something few writers get - to see a film of their work that goes beyond what they are able to achieve with words alone.

I have been on a 10 day campaign to encourge everyone I know to see this film. Consider yourself encouraged to do so.

And another one from Mel



create your own visited countries map

Mel, you've done it to me again

Simon = Green Lantern

Hot-headed. You have strong will power and a good imagination.











Green Lantern - 85%
Superman - 80%
Catwoman - 65%
Spider-Man - 60%
Hulk - 60%
The Flash - 55%
Iron Man - 55%
Robin - 53%
Supergirl - 48%
Batman - 35%
Wonder Woman - 33%


Stolen from Grant (c/- Melly)
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

TAKESHI
The lad has done a fashion shoot for GQ Mag.
February issue, with Heath on the cover.
Something new for me to anxiously await now that i've seen "Brokeback Mountain" . . . . (more on that to follow)

Life is never dull.

Mighty Kong

Way too hot today, and a last-minute change of plans left me with the not very attactive prospect of sweltering in my hot little house, so I took myslef off to hide from the heat at the movies.
King Kong was the choice. Who'd have thought that little old film could have been turned into such a wonderful three hours ! And thank God nobody gave too much away.
The CGI is awesome, Kong himself is so real. I wanted to cheer when he finally got one of those blasted airplanes, then wanted to shout at the reporters when they were clambering over his body at the end. Several nice nods to specific films snuck in along the way too.
Get the feeling I loved it? You bet. A must-have for the DVD collection, but so glad I saw it on the big screen.

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN















Opens here next week on the Australia Day Public Holiday.
Been a while since I've been waiting for a film to arrive with such anticipation.
Did well at the Golden Globe Awards. So glad.

Tagged by Melly once again . . .

Choose one of your favourite bands/artist: ABBA
Answer all the questions using SONG TITLES from the BAND or ARTIST

1. Are you male or female? Dancing Queen
2. Describe yourself: Super Trouper
3. How do some people feel about you? The Way Old Friends Do
4. How do you feel about yourself? Take A Chance On Me
5. Describe current relationship with BF/GF: Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)
6. Describe where you want to be: Summer Night City
7. Describe how you live: SOS
8. Describe how you love: I Do I Do I Do I Do I Do
9. What would you ask for if you had just one wish? Money Money Money
10. Share a few words of wisdom: The Winner Takes It All
11. Now say goodbye: Thank You For the Music

Today, with some trepidation, I had myself connnected to Cable Broadband. Some trepidation because I really wasn't 100% sure the problems I've been having with dial-up related to my phone line or to my aging computer.
I am relieved and pleased to discover the fault lay, as I guessed, with the phone line. Five hours online after connection, not a problem. I LOVE IT !!!!!

Four-Play

Tagged by Melly

Four Jobs you’ve had in your life:
Barman
Travel Consultant
Stage Manager
Record SHop Manager

Four movies you could watch over and over:
Love, Actually
Wizard of Oz
Princess Bride
Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Four places you’ve lived:
Melbourne
Sydney
London
- there is no number four

Four TV shows you love to watch:
Currently:
The Simpsons
any E Channel gossip
Entourage
Will & Grace

Forever:
Friends
Ally McBeal
Sopranos
Six Feet Under

Four places you’ve been on vacation:
Thailand
South Korea
Hawaii
Java

Four websites you visit daily:
While my home internet is out of action, none.

Four of your favorite foods:
potatoes in any form
pad Thai
roast chicken
sticky-date pudding

Four places you’d rather be:
Thailand - Jomtien Beach to be precise
New York
White Beach, Mindanoa, The Philippines
Paris

Post Xmas

Well, I survived it all.
The family Xmas was so much better for not being held On The Day. No kids feeling pulled between separated parents and grandparents. i think that it was made the difference. Everyone relaxed and happy, and everyone actually there for once. The family do is one that is always worse for me in anticipation, the actual occasion usually goes fairly painlessly - usually. There have been exceptions, and thankfully this year was not one.
The first of the orphan's christmases - the big one, On The Day, was among the best ever. Just old friends, good food, great wine (and plenty of it) and conversation on every topic under the sun. One of those days that reminds you why we have friends, and how treasured they become the longer we manage to keep them.
The second orphan's Christmas - well, it was always expected to be a bit trashier than the rest. Spent most of the day with a pregnant Jack Russell asleep on my lap - sweet. Didn't interfere with drinking or conversation or flirting. ( As if !)

So, now the end of the year is near - frighteningly close in fact. haven't started on my end of year retrospective, that's usually a New Years Day thing for me. Want to get tomorrow - last day of work for the year - out of the way before I allow myself to look at what has - and hasn't been, achieved.

On break before when a delivery van drove past

Sweeney Todd - Medical Waste Disposal.

Tickled my fancy that did.

The Big Week

Starts this weekend. Saturday the staff Christmas Party, always a big night, nice to see people you see scurrying around every day frowning and looking stressed relaxing and letting their hair down. Always an interesting evening for a watcher like me, and always a few instances (a few ??) of people relaxing just that little bit too much.
Sunday is the Family Christmas. Yep, a week earlier, but this way we get everyone together at one time. Christmas Day there is too much of kids being torn between which parent to spend the day with – two generations of split families. Messy.
Then two days off. RDO on Tuesday, and managed a day’s leave for Monday. Monday The Princess is coming round with cheap wine for our traditional Xmas trash-ourselves. Tuesday I suspect will be a quiet day recovering.
Work through to and including Christmas Eve – early start, but they usually let us off early.
Christmas Day – so-called “Orphan’s Xmas” at my oldest and dearest friend’s. Half a dozen or so old friends in similar situations to me, or who’s families are interstate or overseas. They have a great cellar and a swimming pool, and enough beds for those of us who won’t want to drive home.
Boxing Day, a delayed Orphan’s Xmas. Started out as a late BBQ on Xmas Day for "orphans" and those who just needed to relax with extended family after the strain of a day with the people we get lumbered with genetically.It's the Day After this year. Floating guest list, never quite sure who’ll turn up.This particular bachelor is looking forward to that – for all the wrong reasons I assure you !
And that, barring any surprises, is how my Xmas is shaping up.

Sunday 11 December – Cronulla Race Riots

There have been times I’ve found it difficult to say I was proud to be an Australian.
But I’ve never felt ashamed of it before.

A part of me wants to point out it was Sydney – SYDNEY NOT MELBOURNE – but it makes no difference. It is Australia, and I feel the legendary Aussie tolerance has proven to be just that, a fragile myth.

Jimmy Stewart
9% Tough, 14% Roguish, 57% Friendly, and 19% Charming!

You are the fun and friendly boy next door, the classic nice guy who still manages to get the girl most of the time. You're every nice girl's dreamboat, open and kind, nutty and charming, even a little mischievous at times, but always a real stand up guy. You're dependable and forthright, and women are drawn to your reliability, even as they're dazzled by your sense of adventure and fun. You try to be tough when you need to be, and will gladly stand up for any damsel in distress, but you'd rather catch a girl with a little bit of flair. Your leading ladies include Jean Arthur and Donna Reed, those sweet girl-next-door types.

Last weekend.

Friend’s birthday dinner. About 20 of us on the dinner cruise on the Yarra.

You want to know something – Don’t bother with it. Do the Dinner Tram instead.

The company was good though, and most of us wound up at the The Market Hotel later in the evening. Now about 20 something years ago the Market Hotel was a hotel, and I used to drink there. Then they pulled it down and turned it into what was for a while the hottest, state-of-the-art nightclub in town. Renamed it Three Faces. Now they call it The Market again. It hasn’t changed. I could have sworn it was the same crowd there as 20 years ago . . . . they just hadn’t aged. Unfortunately I have !
Somewhere around 5.00 am wandered down the road to crash at the birthday boy’s house.
Do you know how hard it is to have to share a bed with someone you fancy like crazy when you’ve just copped the “I only want to be friends” line. Even at 5.00 am and after rather a few too many drinks !