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...