winter sunset

winter sunset
Originally uploaded by urbanstone.

a brief interlude

view from a pier,
originally uploaded by urbanstone.

urbanstone will come back to the musical challenge in a few days. But for now I'm wandering aroud Frankston and the Peninsula, taking some time out with the folks.

Time to watch, time to talk, time to sleep and time to wonder...

"Theres things that you believe about yourself that don't add up
This version of you, more like somebody else, but not enough
And now you're cutting a deal in your head
Conscience is crystal clear once again
And you lock up the skeletons"

As always Something For Kate.

Day 4: 13 songs that changed Dave's life

blood of my blood, bootsy, my black and white brother unleashes his 13 songs. Only a slight change of tack from Ronaldo's memory trip - this list may befuddle some, reawaken memories for others, and you may find yourself either shaking your hips or screaming in angst. Just don't say you were not warned...

"NB: you asked for the songs that changed my life - not the greatest songs of all time... and in no particular order.

1. Dee-lite - Groove is in the heart. Bootsy Collins. One man, one bass, one helluva phunkin groove. Saved me from the dark depths of schlock rock.

2. Matt Tonks - Bone Dry. Driving across the red centre on our honeymoon listening to this track thinking, thank God for talented Orstrayan music. One day when I enter the lotto and win it I'll do a vid for that track against that background.

3. Scarymother - Who are you. My vote for #1 Oz act of all time. Some of Australia's finest musicians producing a wall of deep, dark rock.

4. Powderfinger - Parables for wooden ears. Before they became pop tarts. Don't get me wrong, they're still great - but this was a technically brilliant track - from a band who cared about the music and what it was saying. Still haven't figured out the time signature.

5. Nirvana - take your pick of D7 / Aneurysm / Even in his youth. Kurt's raw emotion truly exposed. I don't care if grunge passed you by, this is what music is here for - pure, unadulterated emotional outlet.

6. Foo Fighters - I'll stick around. Grohly, Grohly, Grohly. Yum, yum, yum. That's right - he does every instrument on the track and declares that *raw* musical emotion was not lost with Kurt.

7. 3 MC's & 1 DJ - Beastie Boys & Mixmaster Mike. To quote the track itself "Mixmaster Mike watcha got to say" "/God damn that DJ made my day/"

8. Speaking of strings - O'Fortuna by Carl Orff. Trust me, you know it. Musical dynamics at their best. It's on most big movie sound tracks.

9. Young Jase - I don't know if you'll let this count but when a then-up-and-coming Sydney DJ beat-mixed Tori Amos' "Professional Widow" with Earth Wind and Fire's "Boogie Wonderland" at Sublime - me and 500 other people went beserk. Funky uplifting house at its absolute finest

10. Linkin Park - From the inside. Adequately the captures the problem with trusting people and screams an angry, albeit incomplete resolution. Apply liberally when dealing with pricks who haven't dealt with some personal issue and use colleagues /the workplace as a battlefield for satisfying personal angst.

11. Filter = Hey Man, Nice Shot. A dark part of my life that I'd rather not revisit. But hey, you asked for the songs that changed my life.

12. Falling. Yes - music can teach you humility. Could I really like a song this much when it's sung by Kylie and written by the Pet Shop Boys?

13. Frank Sinatra - My Way. 'nuff sed.

*Unfortunate to miss out *- U2 "A little while" - a big home coming for me in so many ways / Pre-shrunk "sam pimp" - (two basses in one band and no guitars -oooooh, delicious) / Stone Temple Pilots (plush) / Anthony Callea - the little man got me back to playing music cause clearly there's got a be chance for me still in the music industry..."

COLLINGWOOD!!!!!

Would be what I would be saying to you right now if I had any voice left. A gutsy win over Sydney at Telstra Stadium. Fast becoming an annual family gathering, it's always good to scream with the faithful black and white. Even better when it's a win over a quality team like the swans.

I won't waste your time with details - if you're interested see here for a good wrap up. I'll just leave you with this quote from the article, "Didak was the difference in this match. He is now what Nick Davis was to Collingwood before he left for Sydney, only he is in fact a far better player."

Photos to come soon!

Day 3: 13 songs that changed Rod's life

Day 3 and we take a swift turn back to the eighties, as the voice - Mr Ronaldo Joyce - brings us back to the future.

"Before I begin my 13 songs that changed my life I need to say that I'm not really a lyrical man but I am drummer who is a frustrated guitar player. I am finding it hard to narrow in on one song by a particular band as I tended to love a band and all their songs not just any one particular song. Anyway enough procrastination.

In no particular order:

1. Rosanna - Toto. What a band. Geoff Pokaro was one of the best drummers that lived. RIP Geoff. [scarily these guys are still going and have a new album out!!! - urbanstone]

2. Hosanna (in the highest) - Some gooba. I sang this song in church when I was younger and it made me realise that church hymns and music can really suck. Great lyrics but really bad music. It reminds me that the church organ has to go…..Budgee this one is for you…...

3. No Lies - Noiseworks. Jon Stevens, you are a legend. What a voice! What a classic!

4. You Give Love A Bad Name - Bon Jovi. Who could forget one of the best New Years Eve's I have ever had. The music was loud, everyone was pumped and we were yelling this song at our mate Captain Smollett. This song is dedicated to you.

5. Good Times - Jimmy Barnes. Mary, Mary you are on mind….dur..nur..nur. Who is Mary? who cares? This song Rocks. Especially after a big night and it gets played full bore at 7:30 the next morning……thanks Gart!

6. Runaway - Del Shannon. 60's classic. Reminds me of the old band days. I was 16 playing 4 nights a week at the Maroubra Seals Club and this song had a great drum beat and the patrons would get up and dance and then fall over, after drinking to much piss.

7. Electric Blue - Icehouse. Who is Iva Davies? This song was number one for weeks on Barry Bisol's take 40 Australia and me and my little sister would wait with anticipation at the news that Electric Blue was still number one. Thanks Bazza for some great memories.

8. Star Wars/Jurassic Park theme - John Williams. Yes classical piece's in my 13 songs! In some way these are the themes of my life. I couldn't pick one over the other. Star Wars is me and Jurassic Park is just a wonderful piece describing life……listen to it, it's not what you think.

9. Last of the runaways - Giant. 80's glam rock played in the 90's. Love your work Dan Huff…..What a guitar player! Not much lyrics but all guitar.

10. Surfing with the Alien - Joe Satriani. This guy could well be the best guitar player we have ever seen. I was in awe of him for the best part of the late 80's. Go Rossy………..

11. Fields Of Gold - Sting. Sting has to get in here somewhere. The guy is a legend and this is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Hence why I played it at my wedding….

12. Tuxedo Junction - Same Old Story. Have you heard of this band? Probably not. My first real jazz band. This song for me holds great memories as I got to trash the song in the form of a drum solo. How awesome was Sancha's voice….Love your work!

13. Angry Young man - Billy Joel. I was into this guy for ages and this song was one of those songs that had about 6 times changes and his drummer Liberty Devito was something else. This was the opening song at the concert Billy did in Russia when he used his hands on the piano like no one else has. Awesome Rhythms!

Well there you go but I have to give an honourable mention to Bryan Adams for Heaven and Run to You. They were classics as are you Bryan. (These songs also remind me of one very special women. My highschool sweetheart. Pity she had to go back to South Africa. Great memories). Gee I feel like a dag after doing this. Love your work Jono and bring on the 13 movies that changed your life.

Batman Rocks"

bird mourning

bird mourning
Originally uploaded by shoothead.

another gem from shoothead - and all this from his daily morning walk!

Day 2: 13 songs that changed Nicole's life

And second batter up to the plate - Nicole Fleming, on the eve of her first AFL game (pies v swans no less), takes a swing at the 13 songs that changed her life....

"I'm up for it! Like your friend, Rossy, I want to make a disclaimer that the challenge wasn’t that they had to be great songs. Nic.

1. Tracy Chapman – Fast Car. I will always, always love Tracy. She’s my first real music love (other than the Sweet & Sour band of course which leads me to…)

2. Sweet & Sour – Sweet & Sour. When people remember this (fabulous ‘80s ABC) show, about a garage band they always have fond memories and I always feel like there’s a special bond created between us. And I thought Tracy Mann was THE best actress eva, even if it was Deborah Conway who was really singing! [I remember, I remember, and yes Nic, I'll leave the album to you in my will - urbanstone]

3. Joe Satriani – Always with me, Always with you. A boy played this for me at the old Brashs in Pitt St after he held my hand while we were watching ‘Cocktail’ at the George St Cinemas. It was my first ‘butterflies in the stomach’ experience. I’ve had a thing for guitar players ever since.

4. Jimmy Barnes – Walk on. Ah…Jimmy. I really am a bogan from Berowra. I used to play this track on Barnestorming over and over again..

5. INXS – Don’t Change. I could have picked any INXS song and it was a close run between this one and Johnson’s Aeroplane. These 2 remain INXS songs I love.

6. Soft Cell – Tainted Love. An ex made a romantic gesture with this song. Maybe I should have realised that someone making a romantic gesture with a song that pretty much says “I don’t like you so I’m packing my bags” was not really someone I wanted to be with??

7. Jeff Buckley – Last Goodbye. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

8. Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl. This song began my journey into music that wasn’t all about the mainstream/top 40 type stuff (even though it was a mainstream song)

9. PJ Harvey – This mess we’re in. A more recent one for me and was significant for me late 2005. Polly Jean, what can I say? I think I love you.

10. k.d. Lang – Hallelujah. It’s so hard to choose between k.d’s cover and Jeff Buckley’s but I think k.d. wins by a nose because I heard her sing it live at the Opera House last year and it was incredible! And a fab night out with my Dad.

11. Neil Diamond – Crunchy Granola Suite. I thought my Dad was a musical dork until he played Hot August Night for us.

12. The Sundays – homeward. I had to choose something of this album (static & silence) because it is in my top 3 albums. This album kept me company when I first moved to Dubbo.

13. Eve Gibson – Look at the Lines. Eve – so cute, so talented. A chick to watch. Somewhere between Beth Orton and Sarah Blasko."

Day 1: 13 songs that changed Rossy's life

Beer brewer extraordinaire Rossy (pictured right, you guess which one) has taken up the "13 songs that changed my life challenge". Congrats to you Rossy as first cab off the urbanstone rank. So without further ado, I give you, Rossy's 13 songs....

13 songs that changed my life
Note the title doesn’t say they have to be great songs.

In no apparent order:
1. Come on Aileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners
My dad had this on his long-driving-trip tape. First song I can remember ever hating so much I wanted to die.

2. Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry
First song I learnt to play on guitar, written on upside down guitar tablature. (thank you very much, Ross!)

3. Bron-yr-stomp - Led Zeppelin
First GREAT song I ever attempted on guitar.

4. Straight Hate – Sepultura
I’m sure there are other metal bands out there I listened to before this, but this goes down as my favourite! Dark, hateful, a killer riff... its’ what metal is all about!

5. Truth – Clone. No you’ll never hear this one on the radio. The first song i ever composed which my shithouse band actually played, and sounded good, dare I say.

6. Saltwater – Chicane. Not a bad dance track, but listening to it while driving through the Scottish Highlands in the rain makes it a memory never to forget.

7. Utah Saints – Utah Saints. Saw these guys at the ’00 Glastonbury Festival. What an experience.

8. About a Girl – Nirvana. Both acoustic and electric versions of this song are brilliant pop/grunge songs.

9. Sister Awake – The Tea Party. Jeff Martin’s a bit of a tool, but Geez he plays well.

10. Aenema – Tool. One of the darkest bands around, Tool have always inspired me to pick up my guitar, tune down, turn up and have fun. This would have to be my favourite

11. Forty Six And Two – Tool... yes this is my second favourite.

12. The Sweetest Thing – U2. These guys will make it onto everyone else’s list, so I’ll join the crowd. I was actually starting to think U2 were okay, if not extremely over-hyped, then this song came out. This song sucks sooooo much, and it lowered my opinion of this band forever

13. Du hast – Rammstein. My list wouldn’t be complete without this little gem from the Fatherland.
Ya, ist Gut!

13 songs that changed my life

Diamond Ray Hickson is going through the 13 songs that changed his life over at OneRayHill. As always Ray is an eclectic mix - some brilliance and some absolutely bizzare choices. But it's always interesting (How John Mayer and U2 end up on the same list is beyond me, but it is Ray's list). Might be my next blog task, once i've watched Ray play out his. Anyone else up to the challenge?

middle of the night thoughts (you'll probably need to click on the pic for a larger version if you're intent on reading it :)

maybe it's time for...

and don't forget...

Nestle recently bought Uncle Tobys (for a paltry AUS$890 million). And according to Nestle themselves, "the move underscores Nestlé's strategic focus on nutrition, health and wellness." By which they clearly mean 'adds to their existing brands such as Cheerios, Milo and Nesquick' - renowned for their health and nutrition already.

Nestle's above-metioned press release also spoke in glowing terms about Uncle Tobys well respected workforce of more than 900 employees. Interesting to note that media reports of job losses of anywhere up to 600 positions have not been denied by Nestle. Don't worry Uncle Toby, I'm sure they'll still love you in the morning...

Nestle to buy Jenny Craig

Truth seems like a slippery concept at the best of times. But after reading this article today, I am sure it has finally fled screaming from the west as the rule of the market and our presumed gullibility continues to take centre stage.

The New York Times reports here, Nestle (Swiss food giant and target of several human rights campaigns) has bought out Jenny Craig - the weight loss/diet corporation. This in and of itself seems laughable - sell kit kats and milo with one hand, and a diet food and slimming products with the other. But it was this quote from the Nestle press release that really got me...

"Calling obesity a "major public health concern," Nestle's chairman and chief executive, Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, said in a statement that the Jenny Craig purchase would help transform Nestle into "a nutrition, health and wellness company that sees weight management as a key competence.""

Thank you Nestle. I feel so much safer.

last essay just sent off - semester 1, 2006, (unofficially entitled "what the ? just happened") is now over. And to reaffirm an earlier post, I am still alive. Which i count as quite an achievement at this point.

God help the poor lecturer who has to read that last essay, which in retrospect i hope was essay qn 3 "please ramble effusively about eschatology, the basis of union and nathan buckley's semi-divine status"

with thanks to rock god Phil, Jacobs Creek, Smithy, Pearl Jam, Tim Rogers and enough coffee to keep an entire South American economy afloat.

sunday morning prayer

click on the photo to get a larger version to read

another day begins

if we have eyes to see and ears to hear...

East Timor Update

There seems to be several things driving the unrest in East Timor - regional split between the East and West in the civil and military services; conflict between President Xanana Gusmao and Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri; basic looting and slow economic change. But as you can read here, perhaps what is most disappointing is the manner in which some are using the disturbances to settle old scores. The UN Commission for Reception, Truth and Recconciliation has had its offices looted, and files on old crimes from the 1999 civil war are dissappearing. It's no longer your basic looting when groups of people turn up with trucks to take a number of computers, files and evidence. And yet our Australian troops are not allowed to act on this? I wonder what will come out in the wash about this time?

How does a country overcome such a history of brokenness and violence?

If you're interested, there's a good background article on the current situation from The Guardian here.

scotland dreaming

looking at myself

I took this down after some wise people wondered about the violence in the image. I guess I'm putting it back up as a way of saying, it's not violence at all. To me there's a searching going on, a sense of looking closely at what most impacts on me. Yes, it reflects a certain amount of turmoil and grief - but not in an out of control way, just looking through bloodshot eyes.

It was taken a few weeks ago, (just before Mike died) - so perhaps its helpful to say its not where I'm at now.

But mostly I just enjoy the photo. Melodramatic? Me? never...

about time...

myth busting in east timor

Today in the Sydney Morning Herald it's George Quinn from ANU trying to explode some of the myths about East Timor. An interesting article that tries to sift through some of the popular myths amongst those of us who seek to support an independent East Timor. It's a fairly one sided argument about the falsity of the East Timor's distinctive identity against Indonesia. Certainly the article has some truth to it, but seems equally to ignore the arguments that East Timor's colonial history (under Portugal and Indonesia) might have contributed to any sense of national identity? Still, it is part of a move towards a rethinking of Australian foreign policy towards East Timor away from the idealistic/cynical division towards a more pragmatic and grounded debate. Which can only be a good thing.

east timor

what's really happening in East Timor? It's so easy to see the video footage of riots and shake our heads in disbelief. It's all so depressingly familiar. Yet I can't help but shake the feeling that Australia is somehow more involved that we realise. An interesting article in the The Age today by Helen Hill on our role in destabilising the East Timor Prime Minister (no not Xanana, the other one, Mari Alkatiri). Find it here, it's worth a read.

Just like Liliana asked about the current hype behind Aboriginal communities, I wonder what role our media is playing. Hmmm

Out of the strange, wilderness places,
with cries to the nothingness and prayers to golden calves,
through the courtyard of denial,
with your very own tourist memorabilia
(what do you do with 30 pieces of silver?),

until you come to something more,
a different place,
to that most misused of words



hope



what lies ahead?
for the moment, I'll take today.