tricolour family

tricolour family
Originally uploaded by urbanstone.

christmas in frankston with the full deck of family cards

5 things

I've been tagged by both Dave and Craig to name 5 things that you probably don't know about me... (only being the ones that I'm willing to admit to)

1. I've had plastic surgery (yes, yes, join the chorus "and you got that face?") - thanks to a mis-timed hook shot that resulted in a smashed cheek bone back in 1996. Still got the scar on the side of my head.

2. I love bodysurfing in the ocean - and love getting dumped by the waves just as much.

3. In 1999 I used to take a day off once a month - wear a suit and spend a day visiting the top hotels in Sydney. I would pretend to be planning a large event, and then be taken into the best function rooms and given a free coffee or drink while the staff ran through the various options. I would sit, nod my head, enjoy my free drink and the best views in Sydney!

4. I love hiking, but I am scared shitless by snakes. (sidenote: one of my dreams is to walk across Scotland)

5. I've spent a night in jail on two separate occasions. The well known one is as a result of a protest against Australian international weapons sales in Canberra back in 1991. The other one, well, that's a conversation best conducted after several glasses of red...

In turn, I tag Jimmy and Ray!

2006 a scattered recollection

2006 a scattered recollection
Originally uploaded by urbanstone.

a week remembered

a life celebrated and a death mourned...





another life so full of energy and wonder



love takes so many guises.

Australia strikes back

a brief history of the Ashes as it really happened.... ; )

2006 Pie Recruits

Welcome to the new boys down at Collingwood from the 2006 National Draft. Profiles available at Collingwood homepage or on the Extremist's site


Ben Reid(#8) & Nathan Brown (#10)


Chris Dawes (#28)



Brad Dick (#44) & Tyson Goldsack (#63)

Bonobo - pick up

Top 5 Shithouse movies...

Ok, so it's been a while coming - but in response to Rossy's challenge, here are my top 5 shithouse movies that I love to watch...

#1. Without a doubt has to be Starship Troopers. I resisted Rod's claim that this cinematic gem had "deep and underlying themes" for a long time. But stuff-me-mushrooms was I wrong! This film not only meets the "it's-so-bad-it's-kinda-right" criteria, but it actually is a brilliant little educational tool for how propaganda and enculturation actually work! Just pretend the bugs are asians, and there's your One Nation recruitment drive; or change those bad bugs to jihadist muslim terrorists and I'm certainly feeeling both alarmed, alert and with a slight giggle. Change the nasty bugs to right wing economic rationalists with big badges saying IMF and Murdoch - now I'm really starting to panic... I'm pleased to say that Troopers was used by the NSW Youth Unit for several years as a part of its cross-cultural relationship workshops. (As in how to deconstruct such alarmist shite). Pretty sure that's a world first

And in a lovely c-grade acting twist, Private Ace Levy is none other than Jake Busey, son of Urbanstone's favourite b-grade man , Gary Busey! None of which is to take away from the fine, fine acting tour de force that is Denise Richards as Carmen Ibanez. Ah yes, indeed - such quality in shite movie. More to follow soon.

Silverwater predawn

Ray's top 5 crap movies that he loves

In a slightly surreal continuation of Rossy's "top 5 shithouse movies that he loves", Ray has posted his top 5 here. Just be warned, while Rossy brought us into the world of creepshow, Ray has taken a slightly alternate path... Spiceworld anyone?

and may God have mercy on his soul...

the newest sleepy jackson?

A huge welcome to the newest member of the urbanstone photography team - Henry Charles - son of Jeff and Sue. Born 28th Oct!

Stern Review and global warming

The UK government has released the "Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change". I have to admit to being quite surprised by the honesty of an official report to outline the immediate environmental future that faces our world. It outlines not just the usual disastrous environmental consequences but also the economic, social and cultural consequences.

However, since you're all busy tracking down your top 5 shithouse movies, there's a nice short summary of the reviews main points here. It is worth the few minutes that it will take you to read, as this is the sort of planning that Australia desperately needs to engage with.

Rossy's Top 5 shithouse movies that he loves...

That marvellous purveyor of all things wondeful that the internet has to offer - Mr Peter Ross - has taken it upon himself to launch the next top 5 challenge - "the top 5 shithouse movies that you love". I'm a little lost for words at this idea, so I'll let Rossy speak for himself...

"I have seen a lot of crap movies in my time, some bad, some badder, and some downright crap (yes, some of the latter were hired by Nick or Jono, namely Kiss of the Spiderwoman, or that dodgy irish one that went for about 20 hours). But there are a few that reek of a certain crappiness that they are worth remembering, and yes, worth quoting. Sometimes I feel the need, when the world really gets to me, to unstrap my brain and float it in a schooner on the coffee table, while I rewatch these "fine" tales....

It's hard to narrow them down to 5 but I think I've done it... In no particular order though....

1. Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigalo - So so bad, but sitting around having dinner with Shaz's family we felt left out when her sisters could recite so may lines and we couldn't resist.
We borrowed it again, and along came the quotes.... "aaah Cakes and Pies Cakes and Pies"

2. Mad Max - Every time my cousins came over when we were kids, we'd throw on Mad Max. Quotes like "We're out of the Game. Unable to continue the pursuit. You'd better send a meat truck... Charlie's copped a saucepan in the throat", and "This... is Cundalini. And Cundalini... wants his hand back!" spring to mind.... but I could recite the whole dialog if needed.

3.Office Space - Another brilliant dvd passed around our office, all about office workers. So easy to relate to.
"What would you do if you had a million dollars?" "I tell you what I'd do - I'd do two chicks at the same time".

4. Creepshow - Short horror stories of pure sh!te-ness...
"I WANT MY CAKE!". [ed. note - apparently there are creepshow deleted scenes on youtube!]

5. King of The Kickboxers - This early 90's movie has it all! Bad acting, mullets, a bad Muai-Thai kickboxer who kills his opponents on VHS for the black market, the little brother wanting vengance for his brother's death at his hands, and a drunken master who must teach him the special flying 3-kick move to bring down the bad guy... all to the tune of late 80's synthesiser pop & soft rock. Can't wait to watch it again, as I can't remember any quotes right now!

Rossy"

i choose to live

Cheryl has an article in The Age today. It's another brilliant reflection on the reality of choosing to live out of faith even with all the doubt thrown in with it...

"I am envious of those for whom faith is optional. Countless times I’ve longed for either a simple faith - for unquestioning belief – or for no faith at all. I have tried, often, to live both, but have found myself in neither. Faith seems to have its grasp on me, even when I would not choose it."

Read the full article here.

French Connections

Cousin Jimmy - the ridiculously talented one of the family (if you don't count Dave's ability to yodel with his mouth shut) - has landed in Paris. In a lovely coincidence, Jimmy has combined his need to flee the country from irate makers of Lipton teabags and fundamentalist Christians (see here) with his desire to be near the lovely Cecile and his newfound career as a tour guide on the Paris "Da Vinci Code" experiencee. Certainly should make for interesting reading on his mandatory o/s travel blog.

Recovery

Ok, so no posts for the last little while, as I found myself enjoying a lovley little bout of bronchitis. But it has given me time to think about an invitation I received to enter some shots into a photographic portrait competition. Not something I've done a lot of so far. But could be interesting.

Strangely, most people who I've asked to be one of my subjects for a shoot have run screaming? So, I may be tracking some of you down soon. Any takers?

procrastination tool #276

urbanstone favourite - Neave - provides yet another brilliant manner in which to waste time on the web (v necessary when your prime source of dodgy and weird emails [Rossy] decides to become a father and for some reason devote less time to his e-trade)


Asteroids! The Atari classic is mind numbing fun - even more so when your avoiding an essay and doped up on cold and flu tablets (thanks to the Thomson clan for sharing!)

Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty...

Our boy wonder, Comrade Geoff "Samwise" Smith, has continued his return from retirement with an incredible follicle transformation of the highest order. 3 years of growth, shorn in the name of fundraising at the Song Cafe (see below). People paid good money to see the public snipping spectacle - so much so that money came in from across Australia raising over $700. Not content with that contribution, the hair itself will be sold to a wig maker!?

Just the thought of someone wandering around with a Smithy hair transplant...

Song Cafe

Last Friday night saw the Song Cafe run for the first time. A cast of musical talent - from Jorge Rebolledo (with Steph Gesling on the right) through to our personal rock gods - a thousand lights (above). Mixed in with some Tongan dancing (who knew Kamaloni was such a show pony?), the inevitable food and a cast of loyal regulars from Centenary Uniting it was quite a night. Of course the highlight of the night was the ritual shearing of Geoff Smith's locks - but more of that above.

Many of the international students at UTC are from poor nations in the Pacific or S-E Asia. Added to their cost of living and studying in Australia, is the fact that many of them are here on visas that do not allow them to work at all. The international flavour of UTC is one its great gifts - which would be a terrible loss simply for a relatively small amount of money.

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice –
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognised as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do –
Determined to save
The only life you could save.

Mary Oliver

sacred spaces

Darren has some photos up on flickr of the sacred space he's just finished hosting at Blackstump this weekend. No doubt he'll post about it soon enough at Planet telex. But for now there's some great visuals of what alternative worship might look like.

"Days To Come" released!

The new album from Bonobo "Days To Come" is released today! He's achieved the difficult balance of continuing within the same vein as his first two albums enough to be recognisable, and yet pushing the boundaries enough to find some new territory.

There is the familiar gentle rolling melodies and jazz rhythms of "Dial M for Monkey" - that ease you into the evening. But added to that, Bonobo has brought in vocalist Bajka for a number of more smoky, soul-laden tracks that hold bigger beats and a darker edge. Love the experimentation. Now if we could just convince Simon and his live band to come to Australia...

Macquarie Lighthouse, South Head

Spring bursts forth - with its seasonal riot of pink - cliched and wondrous at the same time!

let a hundred photos bloom!

In one of the more wonderfully absurd turns in my life - it seems that I've been contacted by a couple of different groups interested in buying some of my photos for the covers of gardening magazines, advertising brochures and annual reports? Oddly, they're all Canadian groups so far (all ways did have a soft spot for Toronto, but that's another story ;) So Urbanstone has gone international!

And in a fit of springtime inspiration, Sydney Swans Assistant Coach (Strategy and Hot Dogs) Jeff Jackson has taken to the garden and up-ed the ante with some incredible shots! I can hear the public clamouring for another urbanstone exhibition... perhaps in Melbourne.... Check out his shots at frogmouth or visit our joint smugmug site - either way, leave a message of encouragement for the maestro! (BTW the photo to the right is one Jackson's current crop, brilliant eh?)

Not to be outdone, Rah has also finally got her camera back from its extended holiday and indulged in some springtime snapping, with some pretty damn impressive results. Check them out here and while you're there, make sure you read her story from Sept 19 - still spinning my head around...

Where, else will a hundred photos bloom? Perhaps our northern comrades (hint hint Tiff) will finally share of their artistic endeavor? It's time people... If you need some more inspiration, then take a look over at flickr - two of my personal favourites Kriziaa and shoothead (his shot on the left)- if they don't get your creative juices going, then make anappointment to see your local doctor.

Darfur, Sudan

In the Darfur region of Sudan, one of our time's worst genocides continues to unfold - and yet the Australian press is still more concerned about Naomi bloody Robson and her pitiful excuse for tabloid shite.

There seems to be a whole lot of possibilities beginning to emerge for some action there - I just hope it's not too late. Anyway, if you haven't heard much about it - or would like a good update on what the conflict is all about - check out this interactive report from the Guardian. (you need flash player and broadband).

night at the beach

night at the beach
Originally uploaded by urbanstone.

Tell me I’m alive
Speak and shout and caress
Laugh and scream and kiss
Just tell me I’m alive

Not them, or him or her
But me.

Speak to me of dreams and plans
Impossible hopes to fly so high
And damn Icarus and the Gods as passionless fools
That never knew.

waiting for the dawn

waiting
Originally uploaded by urbanstone.

respect-a

Dave turns 31...

"Dave Johnson was the greatest footy player to never play for the Pies. We all feel that loss." - Eddie McGuire.


Birthday shout outs to you little boggie (hope that you've survived the other night). Your turning 31 today makes me feel rather old (so i can't even begin to think what that says for mum and dad?) But with any luck, you're avoiding work (unlikely) and planning to relax with your girls tonight. Unless Kev buys you too many drinks after work of course.

And so, while we're on all things family - congrats to Fie and Pete for producing young Anna into the world on Monday. Another Pender woman let loose - God help us all. But as yet, I've seen no photographic proof of the Berry Beauty... so instead, let's all (and by all I mean, the seven of us who were there) trip down memory lane to a young Dave and Fie...

ah the eighties could be so cruel - mustard yellow track suits.

... with an elephants head

... and brown school shoes to match

it explains so much.

"The Spirit does not draw the soul away from the body, nor does it make the soul hasten towards heaven, leaving this earth behind. It places the whole earthly and bodily person in the daybreak colours of the new earth."

- Jurgen Moltmann, "The Spirit of Life", 1992, p.85

beating a hasty retreat

beating a hasty retreat
Originally uploaded by urbanstone.

solitude

I've been talking lately with my supervisor about making space for reflection and solitude. How, amidst the absolute chaos and manic caffeinated rush that is college life, do i maintain some sense of perspective upon life? What sort of spiritual discipline makes sense for someone who talks faith stuff everyday?

The discipline of not using words, and of taking space in solitude.

The plan is that at least every second Saturday, my discipline is to be somewhere before dawn - to wait for the dawn, to watch and to to use photography as a way of not thinking about it - just looking and feeling for it. Listening for God.

So today was the first test. Out to Whale Beach, which holds some significance for myself and a few of my friends, clamber around the rocks, a quick nod to some inquisitive fishermen - and see how this day would bring itself into Sydney.

(click on the photo to see the rest of the set at flickr)

I don't plan to write about it very much - but you might start to see a raft of dawn shots appearing here every week or two.

New Music

For those of you who've been asking about the music I've been using at Quest and at SOD here's the links.

First off is Bonobo - my personal fave at the moment. He has an album coming out in October (Days to come - pictured right), but until then the EP "nightlite" is available (check out iTunes). Unbelievably good - especially the last track, "If you stayed over" which features guest vocalist Fink (is that the character from Wizard of Id?). Very, very chilled, late night jazzy sort of stuff.

Loka - "Fire shepherds" is the album and "tabernacle" is the track that i used at college and at SOD which a few of you have asked about. From the same label as Bonobo, but with a slightly different feel.

Am still engrossed by the Something For Kate album - Desert Lights. Some of the best Australian rock going around. Intelligent, lyrical and passionate. Love it.

And of course, coming up very soon is the combined album between Tex Perkins and Tim Rogers - "My Better Half" - which should be a cracker from the two cranky old rockers.

And thanks to Rossy, what musical update is complete without a tribute to the 1980's - young guitar maestro "AP" - technical wizardry if for nothing other than managing to time travel permanently to the late 80's! Perfect timing to celebrate the imminent "Miami Vice" movie on Thursday night - (Ray gives it 5 stars! He always manages to surprise me that Diamond Ray boy does....)

to watch and wait

to watch and wait
Originally uploaded by urbanstone.

Jacobs Ladder

Jacobs Ladder2
Originally uploaded by urbanstone.

13 songs finishes up

...for the moment anyway!

Thanks to everyone who was willing to delve into their memory banks and bring forth their musical moments of mutation. Eclectic doesn't even begin to cover it! So, by way of offering "closure" (said with appropriate Californian accent), here's a reminder of the brave souls who participated and a chance to review their 13 songs in light of the full experience!

Day 15 - Andrew
Day 14 - Sarah
Day 13 - Dave W
Day 12 - Darren
Day 11 - Stevie
Day 10 - Cheryl
Day 9 - Craig
Day 8 - Phil
Day 7 - Rob
Day 6 - Geoff
Day 5 - Ray
Day 4 - Dave J
Day 3 - Rod
Day 2 - Nic
Day 1 - Rossy


now, about those movies...

late night confessions

Day 15: 13 Songs that changed My life

So, here they are then... not the best, just the ones that changed me

1. U2 – “Twilight”. May seem an odd choice. Certainly not their greatest ever. But in the early 80’s, this cassette would keep rolling along in the middle of the night – lulling me into a safe, delay-driven world. Began my life long love affair with U2 that would lead to so many other high points – but this is where it began. Used to stay up late at night, reading Lord of the Rings and playing Boy and War continuously.

2. Led Zeppelin – “The Lemon Song”. I hesitate to say that this saved me from U2, so let’s just say it opened the door for other artists in high school. A rambling epic, given birth by some mongrel blues rhythms, a hint of honky tonk and Robert Plant wailing away. Inspired me to play the bass – I’ve never heard such free flowing rhythm and underlying melody. Songs within songs within songs. Just listening to the first couple of bars and I’m ready for a party then and there.

3. Ride – Vapour Trail. Put on to this by Rachel, the bitch from Belgium (but that’s another story) in my first year at Mac Uni. Early 90’s Manchester “shoe gazing” pop - more harmonies than I thought possible with soaring guitars – and the largest fringes ever seen in rockdom (which brother Dave copied beautifully) – my introduction to the wall of sound. Which leads nicely into…

4. The Cure – “From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea”. So many Cure tracks to pick from – they were the masters of teenage angst way before Kurt and co. This one comes from the Wish album – decidedly upbeat in sound, incredibly bleak in lyrics. Another early 90’s wall of sound, Eno-like landscapes and melodramatic lyrics. And there’s always something about the first song you got arrested to : )

5. Scarymother – Filth. It’s very hard for Dave and I to convince anyone who wasn’t there, that one of the high points of grunge was this little known Aussie band. Blows your socks off, pounds your chest and rushes the adrenaline like nothing I ever known. When I was first starting to preach regularly I would have this on in the car before heading in - ahh the memoirs of an angry young man.

6. Beastie Boys – Sure shot. “Because you can’t, you won’t and you don’t stop”. My first foray away from rock. Beats, flutes, infectious bass grooves and the boys. Dundas was never the same – "ah yes indeed it's fun time"

7. Tea Party – Innana. Eastern sounds swirling around Jeff Martins’ echoing of Jim Morrison. Can proudly say that I walked down the aisle to this one on my wedding day.

8. Tiddas – Sing about life. A reminder of sunny Saturday mornings in a garden in another life. Full of hope, soil and sun. It seems a crime to play this music on any other day of the week now.

9. Tex Perkins – “Please break me gently”. A vain plea. Late night smoky room, 4th bottle of red, and a growling angel. Strangely uplifting even though it names you in the midst of the darkness. The black dog never sounded so good.

10. Luka Bloom – Black is the colour. Traditional Irish folk song - subtle, hopeful and melancholy all at the once. Makes me cry every time. It’s the perfect blend of acoustic guitar and a lilting Irish accent. And Matt Tonks' version is only marginally behind Luka’s. Thanks to Smithy for finally getting me onto the Luka bandwagon. “Write her a letter, just a few short lines, and suffer death ten thousand times.”

11. Bonobo – Pick Up.
Spent some time in London a few years back – partially chasing a girl, partially looking into some alternative worship stuff. Met Jonny Baker there, and found myself hooked into Bonobo and the whole Ninjatune electronica-jazz-chill sort of thing. Completely changed what I was listening to, and opened up a new chapter in the Johnson music catalogue. Give me a glass of red wine, my couch and Bonobo playing and I will be a very contented man. Would be a contender for my most favourit-ist piece of music ever.

12. You Am I – Berlin Chair. A bunch of Sydney boys singing about footy, beer and women. Whenever I get too far ahead of myself, these guys just play some straight up, four to the floor, pub rock with Pete Townsend like-flair. And “Berlin Chair”? Rossy, me and a couple of Tooheys Olds at Kinselas, or the Annandale, or perhaps the Metro? Many, many a great night.

13. Indigo Girls - "Romeo and Juliet" Yet again, not their greatest, but it was the one that made me sit up and listen. When all else was adrenaline, guitars and anger - this said there was something gentle and hopeful in the midst (and of course managed some melancholia as well). A case of melody making a strong come back into my musical library.

so there you go. Not at all where I thought I'd end up. Feels criminal not to name Something for Kate, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam or The Whitlams (all probably too naturaly 'me' to have changed my life - tho their genius is acknowledged) . And it feels like I'm hiding by not naming Suzie Quatro, Wham or KISS. But there's only 13 songs (or we'd still be reading Darren or Geoff's top 500), and these are mine. Thank you one and all.

desire
Originally uploaded by urbanstone.

you sing me apart

and lay me bare

mould me and make me
build me, break me

the workings of a fearful hope.