The Basics @ The Hopetoun, Surry Hills

The Basics @ The Hopetoun, Surry Hills

The Basics

Its funny what you're drawn to within certain days and months. Sun flares, Children, babies, flowers, shoes and cameras this week.
1. 3, 2. A straw shows which way the wind blows., 3. Week 17, 4. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals @ Enmore Theatre, Sydney, 5. Untitled, 6. Untitled, 7. bohemian.rhapsody, 8. savoy, 9. Untitled, 10. prepared for take off, 11. Relaxing, 12. Baby belly, 13. discovery, 14. see into myself, 15. Untitled, 16. Untitled, 17. hem, 18. Blue & yellow, 19. Untitled, 20. you've got to, 21. entrance, 22. Globemaster 1, 23. The sea, the surge & the seamstress, 24. free hugs, 25. less is more, 26. Untitled, 27. mad hot saturday!!!!!, 28. ??? / shaved ice, 29. skies of blue, clouds of white, 30. Untitled, 31. japanese maple, 32. Untitled, 33. serenade, 34. kid rockers, 35. smell of summer, 36. fly like an eagle, baby

I FINALLY got a new scanner and omg I'm like a schoolgirl at a JT concert. The squealyness is at a supreme high as I scan and scan till I cannot stop.

The scanner in question is an Epson Perfection 4490 Photo and it is DIVINE. I haven't even begun to play with all the fabulous things it can do like scanning negatives and slides, yet so far its blown me away at how sharp and crystal clear it scans prints. I'm in love. That Digital Ice is GOOOD!

Sean is out at Ryan Adams and I sit here on a Friday night all on my lonesome scanning photos tlll my fingers form callouses. A big nerd I am and I'm completely content. Sad and pathetic and I love it.

The 40D also boasts a 6.5 frame-per-second continuous shooting capability would be another seller for me as the "slowness" of shooting speed is the one thing that drives me crazy about the 350D.

Check out the]]> Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:14:40 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/184694 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/182340 Jose Gonzalez, I think I love you.

FINALLY!

Finally it came to pass..the night that Jose and I crossed hearts and souls. Oh, how I've waited for the smooth swedishness to drift into my life in full bloom. After missing out on seeing the beloved on 2 occasions in the past 18 months, I was determined to track him down if it was the last thing I did.
Skite I will, but I actually discovered Jose long before there were any bouncing balls on San Francisco streets.
Last night at The Factory Theatre, Mr Gonzalez put on a simply perfect show. The audience sat in wonder and complete silence as Jose made love to them with a voice like dripping honey. Cheese factor on the poetry of my words, but he simply sounds that divine. With just an acoustic guitar and the tap of his foot, he filled the entire theatre with beautiful sounds and delighted us with songs off the new album.

I often find when I see an act who is essentially promoting their upcoming album, it can often be an almost let down, simply because you've never heard the songs before. However, this show wasn't like that, as everything he performed seemed so familiar but with a new intensity and a little more seriousness to the weight of the themes in the songs.

I ALMOST felt I was going to walk away heartbroken as he only had "2 more songs" and Heartbeats was still nowhere to be heard. I adore everything on Veneer and was loving the new stuff, but if I hadn't heard my Heartbeats, the song that made me fall in love with this man, I would have had to leave the theatre dragging my heart in a box behind me. He left the stage after performing Teardrop and Hand on Your Heart, which if you didn't know anything much about Kylie Minogue, you would have had no clue was born out of a cheesy 80's pop song. I have never seen Massive Attack perform Teardrop live, but Jose' version was so powerful I can't imagine anyone doing a better job.

Much to my relief, he came back out after getting lost behind the curtain, claiming he was "stumbling around in the dark", to perform an instrumental, followed by the most gorgeous rendition of Heartbeats which actually sent gasps through the crowd and finishing up with Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart.

I was a very happy camper leaving the theatre and am now telling you all to go see him when he returns for the Falls Festival in December.

A Reminder's review

Jose Gonzales on myspace

Mem Fox actually hates writing children's books.
She told me so tonight, with an abundance of squealy notes and enthusiasm.
Mem oozes energy and is totally and madly in love with books. She is also totally and madly in love with reading and writing. The woman is mad for it.

When signing up for her course, I never imagined that I would get to hear her recite some of my favourite lines from Possum Magic and hear her recite her whole Sail Away poem/ballad.

She is desperate for children to be read to, she is desperate for the entire world to love books like she does and she makes you want to become a better writer, a better reader and a better advocate for literature. She is one of the most inspiring people I've ever come across.

As a teacher of young children, I have always adored her books, but I never realised how freaking funny and charismatic she is. Mem lit up the room, had us all singing on cue and shared how writing children's books is one of the hardest things a writer can do. Who knew that most of her books were so defined down to the number of syllables in each line of text? Count them, its true.
Tomorrow I will teach poetry. Its what I do on Thursdays. However, I am scrapping my planned lesson and going to read Sail Away to my class with gusto and passion. Why? Because Mem told me to.

********

Two of my favourite Mem articles : If I were queen of the world; Have we lost our way?

]]> Wed, 15 Aug 2007 06:54:55 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/177566 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/175890

Facebook has become an addiction. Add me or sign up and add me!

Recipes of things I'm trying to learn at Epicurious (thanks Deebs!)

The Bicycle I would love to buy...I've been salivating over this for a long time.

Palmercash t shirts- I just got this one below.

• I have this one on my list!
• The Visual BookShelf application on Facebook- I'm addicted and can't stop adding books.
• Always a favourite, Arrested Development..Sean and I are rewatching every episode from the beginning for about the 4th time now. The first time we watched them almost 2 years ago, I hated Gob. Now, I think he is the best tv character ever invented.
• Sean is home and I am happy, happy, happy. Being with him is all that matters to me.

Some fabulous people who have me linked on their blogs..check their sites out!

• Jen has a new site!
• Photography Ideaz

]]> Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:08:29 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/175890 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/162459 So what does one do when one's love is on the other side of the planet?

One mopes for some time each day, one gains feeling of emptyness living in an apartment that only both of you have lived in before, one amuses oneself with girly movies that would never be hired out from Blockbuster at any other time, one spring cleans and notices dust that one has never noticed before, one sleeps with moose named after loved one, one turns into pathetic, whiny, shadow of former independent, single self and realises how good she got it.

The Canadian and I have been apart for 19 days, the longest, in fact the only real time apart since he moved to Australia 2 years ago. He is currently onboard his flight home to Sydney and is only about 6 hours in, poor thing.

So today and in the last week I have:

• Cleaned the shower, toilet, sinks and entire bathroom.
• Cleaned the kitchen top to bottom, rearranged kitchen knick knacks, organised underneath kitchen sink.
• Grocery shopping
• Cleaned]]> Sat, 04 Aug 2007 05:33:25 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/162459 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/156564 till my beloved returns to me!!

  I love this photo of him.

  
  Taken by Kevin at the Coachella Music Festival, California, 2004.
  ]]> Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:22:52 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/156564 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/153422 Boston is filled with such character and history. Who knew that Boston was probably the most important city in regards to America's independence? I had no idea. I fell in love with certain parts of Boston such as the maze like Italian North End with its historical churches, funny shop names, old guys in lawn chairs on the street and quaint buildings, to Beacon Hill with its brown bricked brownstones, tree lined streets and gas lit lanterns, to Cambridge and Harvard and the public garden.

  I just adored..fell in love with this town. I have now been to 4 capital cities in America and Boston leaves the others for dead. The Nikon Fm3a and I were very happy shooting all over town and I have some great shots to share once I get a scanner worked out. For the first trip in such a long time, I actually have my photo album chock full of real photos! What a stupid day we live in.

  I plan to do little write ups of my favourite parts of Boston, however I need photos, so it will have to wait. And we wait for scanner because I'm super fussy, had one all lined up and waited weeks for it to arrive, to end up having "words" with the company I ordered it from. Then I went overseas and now I'm hunting it down again.

  In cool photography news, my photoblog has been inducted into the photoblogs.org Hall of Fame. :D

  Photoblogs.org is the go to place for photoblogs and has been around forever, so it was a lovely surprise to find that the newer updated Montmartre had made their Hall of Fame.

  I've also just been featured on Vazaar which is another awesome online photography project. This photograph of Nikki, the super cat was featured in the "Pets" category. I have another shot in the "Cars" category at the moment.
  

  
  ]]> Sat, 28 Jul 2007 21:43:24 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/153422 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/151171
  

  He will probably kill me for doing this but I don't care, I'm proud of my boy.

  This month's J Mag(August) features an article on music blogging and Sean and Stuey and the boys from Sandwich Club were interviewed. Its a good article talking about how music blogging is becoming quite a serious thing in the eyes of artists and getting their music out to a wider audience.

  That pic at the bottom left is a great shot of all my mates over at Sandwich Club who are also featured in the article. BTW, boys, I should have made a bet with Sean about where you guys went to school. I am so good.
  Its a great article and I suggest you all go and buy one before I buy them all up for family and friends. :D

  ]]> Fri, 27 Jul 2007 02:59:32 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/151171 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/147990 I have been a terrible blogger of late.

  I've been back in Sydney for well over a week after a fantastic trip abroad and have spent most of my time wallowing in self pity.

  Post Travel Depression has set in fast and I have hit a terribly woeful and ugly brick wall. I have a case of PTD so bad that I'm doing that thing where you are irritated by everything your own city has to offer, you can't stand the sight of the familiar things around you and you get annoyed with everything that isn't like it was while you were away.

  I am sorry Sydney, but I don't like you very much right now. I actually have some time off at the moment and am taking a few days to just chill out and relax before I head back to work. However, I am struggling with doing things I'd ordinarily lap up if I had the time to do them in. I figured today I was just pop into town and stroll around the shops at a leisurely pace. I quickly realised that there is no strolling in the Sydney CBD at 12.30pm on a Wednesday.

  There is no time for quiet meandering through book stores and department stores. Go, go, go. I felt rushed by the people one step behind me, standing next to me on the escalators, trying to push past me, throwing things in my face as I walked by them. I felt angered that the bus trips from my home a couple minutes down the road from the CBD cost me $6.

  People working irritate me, people in cars annoy me, children in uniforms make me turn the other direction.And don't even get me started on this weather I've returned to.
  I apologise to all the Sydney-siders reading this. I generally love our town, but today she and I are not on speaking terms.

  ]]> Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:05:36 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/147990 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/127769 I'm just going to let the photographs do the talking.
  

  Awesome R2D2 mailbox on swanky Newbury St

  

  Sean with R2!

  

  I loved Newbury St. Swanky, pretty and full of glorious shops.

  

  Budweiser sign at Fenway Park.

  

  Moi at the gorgeous Fenway Park!

  We are going to try and go to the Red Sox game tomorrow. I am hoping so badly that we can get tickets. Wish us luck!

  ]]> Thu, 12 Jul 2007 03:04:12 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/127769 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/122335 I love this place!!!

  There is so much charm and character in the buildings and streets. I just adore it!
  The North End is my favourite part of town so far and I like the way Bostonites...Bostonians (?) make fun of themselves. There is a shop called 'The CONNAH store" down the Italian/Irish end of town. Although it all seems Irish. More Irish pubs here than in Sydney!

  There is red sox gear and are red sox fans EVERYWHERE. Its nuts!
  Its green, the houses are cute, the buildings are just gorgeous and tomorrow we are going to Fenway!

  I love this town!!!

  ]]> Mon, 09 Jul 2007 03:03:32 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/122335 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/113309 OMG

  Canon scanner $400 in Australia...in Canada? $50!!!!

  Canon SD1000 compact digital $600-$700 in Australia...in Canada? $270!

  Lomo Fisheye $80-$100 in Australia...in Canada? $38!

  New Release cds $25-$35 in Australia...in Canada? $12!

  I'm going crazy. So then, how the hell does one get a scanner on a plane?

  *********

  Funny Canadian word of the day: 'Book it' - As in "We will have to book it to the train."

  ]]> Mon, 02 Jul 2007 07:00:13 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/113309 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/112679
  
  So we SCORED on our flight! Not only did we get a new plane, but we managed to bag Exit row seats and had the big fancy shmancy screens in front of our seats with a touch screen and endless movies and tv shows. Apart from freezing, it was one of the best flights I've ever had.

  Jetted into the upgraded Vancouver Airport, which is one of the swankiest airports in the world. Check it out, Bangkok Airport. Sean's lovely Mum picked us up and I was totally wrecked with jet lag so I slept for a good few hours, then out for dinner to the place Sean has been pining over for the last year, White Spot. I still say they have the best burgers I've ever eaten.

  Sean and I went to The National gig at Richards on Richards. Wow, they are fabulous live. If it weren't for their awesome live performance, I wouldn't have made it to the end, but they managed to keep 2 very jetlagged kids awake and loving it till the end. The lead singer, Matt is kinda bloody intense, but I knew he would be. At one point, he walked to the side of the stage, almost stood on the bar and got the barman to pour him another drink. As impressive as the frontman is, he doesn't take away from the rest of the band. They are amazingly tight, in your face and bring a soaring to finish to every song. Just incredible. Hopefully they will make it to Australia someday!

  Today was mega sleep in time, with a couple of walks around Wisteria Lane and quality time with Sean's fam and new pooch!

  Tomorrow is Canada Day...party time in the ole 'Couv!

  ]]> Sun, 01 Jul 2007 19:38:37 -0700 http://virb.com/mockingbird/posts/text/112679