The Pen's temporary pen

Our new address

2006-01-05T11:53:00.000+11:00

Dear all,

This is a quick note to inform you that Rooster and I have moved to our new digs. We can now be found at www.mushroomandrooster.net.

Hope to see you all there for the housewarming!

Sincerely yours,
Mushroom and Rooster

Pack your stuff, we're moving house!

2006-01-04T10:11:00.000+11:00

Image with thanks to the brand channel

Happy 2006 to all! Here at the temporary pen, we have some good news to share with you all...

We'll we've signed all the appropriate documents, paid our deposits as well as our first installments and construction is almost over at our new digs.

The new casa del Pen will be ready to move into within days now. So we're packing our bags and moving out as soon as Rooster can iron out a couple of kinks here and there (fixtures and fittings that need to be straightened).

Finally, the Pen will have a secure home of our very own! I can't say it was great moving back here (although it was rent free), but blogger has been good to us and treated us well. Hopefully this will be the very end of our stay here, but we can't rule it out completely. Like all new home owners, emeregencies or defaulting and returning back to square one is an fear that floats in the back of your mind.

Anyway, we'll be sure to keep you posted and when all is settled you're all invited to the house warming party!

Five weird habits

2005-12-29T11:14:00.000+11:00

Though I wasn't tagged, I thought this would be an interesting meme to participate in. Unabashedly stolen from Moment to Moment. Feel free to pilfer at will.

Here's the rules:
The first player of this game starts with the topic five weird habits of yourself, and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals. Don't forget to leave a comment in their blog or journal that says “You are tagged” (assuming they take comments) and tell them to read yours.

The “one week myuni promise”: I always have this tendency when my University marks are released to vow not to look up my marks online and wait until the mail comes out. This promise lasts exactly one week until I start to obsessively check online every 15 minutes for my results. It’s been the same every year since first year.
The “historical” obsession: Every time I watch a “based on a true story” movie or read a book with the similar premise, I will obsessively research about the true life story and attempt to compare the fiction with fact. This also has extended to documentaries, magazine or newspaper articles.
“Olive hatred”: I hate the taste of olives. I find them vile and I am at wits end to try to explain why I dislike them so much.
“Commonism”: This is probably the most petty of my habits. I find myself consciously looking for certain things that not too many have cottoned on to. Certain independent bands, places to eat, cult books written by particular authors that have not caught on in the mainstream yet. I’ll enjoy their music that is until I find other people start to like and show interest in them as well. The more mainstream sometime gets, the more I dislike them. It may not be that they have “sold out”, and they may not have reached the absolute heights of popularity, but for some reason I’ll just lose interest.
“Don’t crease the spine!”: When I purchase books, I always ensure that the spine remains creaseless. My skin crawls when I see books with creases on their spines (even though I know that they must have been loved immensely).

Merry Christmas from the Pen (better late than never!)

2005-12-28T11:08:00.000+11:00

A Christmas present from us!
Originally uploaded by the Pen.

Very apt

2005-12-16T12:21:00.000+11:00

"What is important in life is life, and not the result* of life."
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

*That's right... result still not out yet. Just a whole bunch of nail biting and skillful avoidance of my supervisor.

Town Hall station, 8:15am

2005-12-15T09:19:00.000+11:00

Spotted: an elderly gentleman wearing a red apron.

Written on his apron was some German, the name "Adolf Hitler", and a swastika smack-bang in the middle.

Stand up and be counted in the fight against racism

2005-12-14T14:52:00.000+11:00

With much thanks to Stoush.net and MGK

The National Union of Students is calling a rally to protest against the recent race riots in Cronulla.

The rally, to be called "United Against Racism", will protest against the racist violence in Cronulla last Sunday, and against the ongoing racist acts that have followed from them.

WHEN: Sunday 18th December 2005
TIME: 1pm
WHERE: Sydney Town Hall Square

Rooster: An update to Sunday's events

If you can't make the 1pm rally up at Town Hall Square, mosey on down to Belmore Park (near Central Railway Station) at 3pm. More info here and here.

Is it just me or are these very disturbing times?

2005-12-13T16:34:00.000+11:00

Listening to Chicago – Sufjan Stevens

It just seems that day after day, minute after minute, there is nothing but depression inducing news.

A couple of days ago a mentally ill man was murdered by US marshals on a plane. Another innocent victim of mistaken identity related to suspected terrorism who died oh so senselessly…

Whilst he lay dying, legislation which threatens to demolish the very nature of a “fair go” for all Australians was rammed through parliament without proper debate by a government who promised not to “abuse” the majority they have in the senate. Amongst laws allowing working conditions, freedom of expression and the rights and livelihood students enrolled in tertiary institutions to become compromised, none ensured that what happened in Miami that day would not be repeated in this country.

In a blink of an eye, the whole fabric of Australian society changed overnight. The rights of women to exercise control over their reproductive health is also at risk thanks to a backdoor deal made by the Prime Minister, the Minister for Health and a Family First Senator. Troops overseas in Iraq have now been assigned to at least 12 more months to fight in a war that has no end in sight. And no-one bats an eyelid.

And now the racially motivated rioting in the Sutherland Shire and neighbouring beachside localities fosters the ever increasing “us and them” mentality, further diminishing the very tenants of Australian society we hold so dear. And if that isn’t enough, our Prime Minister is refusing to acknowledge that this is a race is the predominant issue?

Am I the only one who feels that these are very disturbing times?

All hell breaks loose in "God's Country"

2005-12-11T21:45:00.000+11:00

Before today, one would associate the following photo with events such as, say, Australia Day or the Sydney Olympics.

Unfortunately, the above photo was taken in conjunction with today's events down at Cronulla Beach.

Violence begets violence. Both parties have done themselves no favours.

With regard to the mob of apparent "Middle Eastern extraction". The assaults on the lifeguard and the press during the week have no place in our society. The law will continue to run its course, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Those who deprive the liberty, the freedom of movement and the exclusion of others should also realise that they too, have no place in society.

5000 people (whom I suspect the majority would be "Shire" boys and girls) converged on Cronulla Beach as an apparent "sign of solidarity" against intimidation and threat of losing their beloved beach, culminating in the bashings last week by gangs of "Middle Eastern extraction". Many were decked out in Australian flags, worn either on their shirts or in the form of capes.

Some sign of solidarity that was. This guy claims victory.

Things then got ugly. Lynch mobs came into effect. It seemed anyone who looked like a Leb or Wog was fair game. Possibly fueled by alcohol and the heat of the day.

» "An ambulance attempting to transport five injured people from the scene was set upon by a large group of people who smashed its windows," an ambulance spokesman said.

Talk about a lack of respect for those whose job is to save and protect lives! Now where have I heard those sentiments before?

What really disturbed me was the use of the Australian flag by this mob. This wasn't patriotism at all - how dare they use our national flag, (supposed) catchcry (Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi) to marginalise other Australians.

Just settle the fuck down.

Your old new favourite Christmas carol

2005-12-08T23:21:00.000+11:00

Sit back with your glass of eggnog and enjoy.

Sung to the tune of The 12 Days of Christmas.

The Twelve Days of Christmas, 2005

On the first day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
A chance to trade away leave.

On the second day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the third day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy ,
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Lots of lost conditions,
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Less time for family,
Lots of lost conditions,
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Gaol if I protest,
Less time for family,
Lots of lost conditions,
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
Much longer hours,
Gaol if I protest,
Less time for family,
Lots of lost conditions,
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my PM gave to me
The end of certainty
Much longer hours,
Gaol if I protest,
Less time for family,
Lots of lost conditions,
Many bosses sacking,
No more penalties
NO RIGHTS AT ALL
No redundancy
Lower pay ,
Cuts to overtime ,
And a chance to trade away leave!

Mushroom flagged this one to my attention, and I managed to catch a snippet of a bunch of Labor MP's caroling (lead of course by none other than Peter Garrett) on SBS World News Australia. Big thanks to the Minotaur and Andrew Landeryou.

Adjusting to the pseudo non-student life

2005-12-07T11:38:00.000+11:00

Image thanks to Toothpaste for Dinner

It's strange adjusting to my status as a non-university student. Especially considering that I still work on University grounds once in a while. I'm stuck in that transition stage, not quite a graduate, not quite a graduand (I haven't received my final mark nor confirmation that I have completed the requirements of my degree to graduate). I'm meandering in the void between, still travelling on the same bus and train that I used to get to uni, still pulling out the concession card, still frequenting campus. The only difference is that next semester I won't be showing up to class... legitimately this time because I'm not actually enrolled in anything.

I've been thinking about further study... the idea has been running circles around my head. I've been looking to work part time where I currently work, or at a Union or NGO and think about pursuing a post grad degree somewhere. But I can't decide whether I actually want to pursue another degree, or is it just my insecurities about joining the workforce full time knowing very well how badly people are getting screwed (moreso after the IR reforms were rammed down the Senate's throat and passed last week).

I'm at one of the many crossroads I will meet in my life. I just want my life to be worth something, I want to leave behind a legacy. I want to say that I contributed to the world in a positive way, I achieved something in order to minimise and eliminate the plight of others.

Confusion my flavour of the week. I never thought I would say this, but things were so much more simple when I was at University.

Farewell Red Rag

2005-12-07T08:37:00.000+11:00

Red Rag is now on permanent hiatus.

Thanks for the memories and such, Rob.

ABC's "My Favourite Film"

2005-12-04T21:35:00.000+11:00

Just finished watching "My Favourite Film" on my aunty's tv station. Needless to say that the top ten was very interesting. Here's the top 100, with films I've watched (in their entirety) crossed out.

[Edit: Mushroom adds which films she has watched as indicated in blue]

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
~~2. Amelie~~
3. Blade Runner
~~4. The Shawshank Redemption~~
5. Donnie Darko
~~6. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope~~
7. Pulp Fiction
8. The Princess Bride (I might've seen it in high school)
9. Gone With The Wind
10. Fight Club

11. The Sound of Music (not in it's entirety)
~~12. To Kill A Mockingbird~~
13. 2001: A Space Odyssey
14. Casablanca
15. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
16. American Beauty
17. Doctor Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
18. Monty Python's Life of Brian
19. Lawrence Of Arabia
20. Apocalypse Now

21. Cinema Paradiso
22. Doctor Zhivago
~~23. The Matrix~~
~~24. The Castle~~
25. Singin' in the Rain
26. A Clockwork Orange
27. The Blues Brothers
28. Withnail and I
29. Life is Beautiful
30. The Godfather

31. Moulin Rouge
32. Some Like it Hot
~~33. Lost in Translation~~
~~34. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest~~
35. Local Hero
36. The Third Man
37. Brazil
38. Serenity
~~39. Breakfast at Tiffany's~~
40. A Room with a View

41. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
42. Dead Poets Society
43. Harold and Maude
44. The Big Lebowski
45. The Wizard of Oz
46. Out Of Africa
47. Picnic at Hanging Rock
48. The Usual Suspects
49. Cabaret
~~50. Forrest Gump~~

51. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
52. The Piano (in parts)
53. Pirates of the Carribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl
~~54. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back~~
~~55. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory~~
56. The City of Lost Children
57. The African Queen
58. Love Actually
~~59. Strictly Ballroom~~
60. Wings of Desire

61. Raiders of the Lost Ark
62. Babette's Feast
63. The Fifth Element
64. Spirited Away
65. Aliens
66. It's a Wonderful Life
~~67. Napoleon Dynamite~~
68. Rear Window
~~69. Romeo And Juliet~~
70. Dirty Dancing

~~71. Kill Bill: Vol. 1~~
72. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
73. Trainspotting
74. Muriel's Wedding
75. When Harry Met Sally
76. The Great Escape
77. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (in parts)
~~78. Gallipoli~~
79. Lantana
~~80. Garden State~~

81. Sin City
82. Chariots of Fire

83. The English Patient
84. This is Spinal Tap
~~85. Chocolat~~
86. Fargo
87. Look Both Ways
88. Goodfellas
89. Aliens
~~90. Grease~~

91. All About Eve
92. Citizen Kane
93. Stand By Me
94. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
95. Mulholland Drive
96. Back to the Future
97. High Fidelity
98. The Thin Red Line
99. Being John Malkovich
100. Dead Man

Rooster's very unkulchured, he's only watched about 20.
46/100... I kinda expected more... oh well there's one summer project to do!

Can I also add that aunty and her ethnic cousin seem to have quality programming lined up this non-ratings summer!

Let those without sin cast the first stone.

2005-12-02T01:41:00.000+11:00

I want to hear you tell me that you don't want my love...

2005-12-01T15:41:00.000+11:00

[Image with thanks to Wobly]

One of the best songs I have heard recently is Jose Gonzales' cover of "Hand on your Heart". The song, originally performed by "our Kylie", has been given a beautiful acoustic twist by this stunning Swede. You can hear the resonating heartache amidst the deceptively melodious guitar riffs and sweetly enchanting vocals. Hear it here.

Well it's one thing to fall in love
But another to make it last
I thought that we were just beginning
And now you say we're in the past

Oh, look me in the eye
And tell me we are really through

You know it's one thing to say you love me
But another to mean it from the heart
And if you don't intend to see it through
Why did we ever start
Oh, I wanna hear you tell me
You don't want my love

Put your hand on your heart and tell me
It's all over
I won't believe it till you
Put your hand on your heart and tell me
That we're through.

Oh, put your hand on your heart
Hand on your heart

They like to talk about forever
But most people never get the chance
Do you wanna lose our love together
Do you find a new romance

Oh, I wanna hear you tell me
You don't want my love

Look me in the eye
And tell me we are really through

MEAA workplace laws forum with Greg Combet

2005-11-30T01:04:00.000+11:00

Blogging on the run once again!

I had the pleasure of sitting in on the proceedings of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) 2005 Federal Council meeting. More specifically, the "Rights at Work" forum with the ACTU's Secretary Greg Combet.

Prior to the forum I had only come across Greg in the press and on the small and big screens - a charismatic leader who was meticulous and well-spoken.

Greg Combet in the flesh - a charismatic leader who was meticulous and well-spoken. He brought a lot of insight to the table, which I found to be a great help as a relative n00b to the industrial relations game.

Of particular interest to me was the leveraging of technology to generate awareness of the legislation and campaign at a individual/grassroots level. A wonderful example given was of the 80,000+ signatures gathered to petition Senator Barnaby Joyce into voting against the WorkChoices legislation from the your rights at work website. Utilising such technologies as the web, email, sms and telecommunications as part of a integrated effort will certainly generate enough chatter amongst the general public, in turn driving awareness.

[start my thought] This would then empower the person on the street to take action (e.g. writing to newspapers/MP's, blogging, joining a union or community organisation) - grassroots activism at it's best. The intent would be to re-engage a public who currently feel that they are unable to partake in social change [end my thought]

It seems more than likely that the legislation will be passed through. Thus, the challenge for the movement would be to maintain a strong level of top-of-mind awareness through to the next election.

More photos here.

Band Together launch

2005-11-29T00:13:00.000+11:00

Apologies for the quick post, as internet time will probably be scarce this week.

The LHMU in conjunction with Unions NSW launched "Band Together", a campaign to raise awareness amongst the youth in relation to the Howard Government's Industrial Relations "reforms" - WorkChoices. Orange wristbands will be handed out at music festivals this summer, such as Homebake and the Big Day Out as a salient symbol for the campaign.

LHMU Secretary Annie Owens, Unions NSW Secretary John Robertson and Union campaigner and Big Brother 2005 runner-up Tim Brunero were on hand in Pyrmont to give "Band Together" their blessing. The media and the general public were then invited aboard the big orange "your rights at work" bus to watch 36 Ways to Get Fired Thanks to John Howard. Bloody hilarious stuff.

More photos here, albeit low-res. Drop us a line if you'd like high-res shots.

Band Together

2005-11-27T10:18:00.000+11:00

Presenting a community service announcement concerning our "youff".

What: Band Together
When: 12:15pm, Monday 28th November, 2005 (I know it's late notice, I just found out then)
Where: Pyrmont Bay Park, opposite Star City Casino
Who: The LHMU and Tim Brunero, of Big Brother fame and active Union campaigner

Many of you would have finished your HSC or uni exams by now, so we would certainly love to see you there tomorrow! Would any bloggers like to meet up?

I just don't think I'll ever get over you.

2005-11-24T10:35:00.000+11:00

Listening to - Feeder : Feeling a Moment
Image with much thanks to Kerygma Cinematology

I have to make an apology to all those readers out there who have witnessed what was (and is) my 'quasi emotional meltdown' of sorts. I guess I own an explanation as to where I have been both mentally and physically. And perhaps too, this would aid as a cathartic exercise. If not, I can always delete this and wait for the google bots to refresh any captured cache.

From the first week to the third week of November, I found myself in the Philippines unexpectedly... 4 days after completing my honours thesis. A week before my thesis due, I received news that my grandfather had suffered from a stroke and, as a result, suffered from "expressive aphasia and bilateral lower extremities weakness". Later I would find that was a fancy way of saying that he wasn't going to be able to stand up and give me a hug ever again... or be able to talk to me in structured sentences, if at all, anymore.

It was bad enough that he was particularly ill and that I couldn't just drop everything that instant, jump on a plane to be by his side... I had to mentally overlook what had happened so that I could complete my thesis as best as I could so I could leave as soon as possible. I wish I could say that my thesis did not suffer because of it, but I am not going to blame my short comings on what had happened. That would be a cop out. Whatever I get will solely be my success or failure.. and if it is the latter, suffice to say, I should have been more prepared to plan for emergency situations.

What made this situation even more particularly difficult was that my grandfather and I have a very special relationship, as many granddaughters do. In my Grandfathers eyes, I could do no wrong, which made it easier to talk to him about things.. We had the type of relationship where I could lean on him for advice. Every telephone call I received from him, he would always encourage and motivate me to focus on what I wanted to achieve. Never disparaging... always convinced of my success.

I'll really miss those phone calls.

He had promised me that he would attend my graduation ceremony when I completed University. As the first Grandchild in the family, he was particularly excited at the thought of that I would soon complete my degree and every time we spoke, he would always remind me of his promise. I would always remind him to take care of himself because there is a seat reserved for him in the Great Hall on the day. I'm still going to make sure that seat is there, even if I know he won't be.

The doctors say that the next stroke will be his last, and looking at his medical history, it seems that it will probably be sooner rather than later. The more I repeat this to myself, the gnawing, stabbing pain reduces each time... but I don't think it will ever entirely disappear.

Now I'm back in Sydney, after three weeks away, and I'm slowly trying to put together the pieces of my life. I left in such a rush that there are so many loose ends needing to be tied... and I'm not sure where to start.

But I'll get there eventually.

So I apologise if my writing is incredibly sporadic, it will be for a little while. I'll get back into the swing of things... politiking and pop culturing... It's just I have some things to finish up in the beforehand.

Do the right thing, Barnaby

2005-11-23T10:22:00.000+11:00

Vote NO.

Home again

2005-11-22T15:14:00.000+11:00

I'm back home after 17 days overseas. It seems I haven't written anything of substance in the last five weeks or so... Unfortunately that will not change.

At the moment, life has thrown me a curve ball, and it will take some time before I can pull my socks up and get back with the program again.

Thanks to everyone who has left well wishing comments. They mean a great deal.

The whole world is watching!

2005-11-21T16:22:00.000+11:00

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has ruled that new building and construction laws tabled by the Federal Government breach international standards »

The International Labour Organisation's (ILO) governing body has requested the Federal Government modify its laws.

Unions say the decision is harming Australia's reputation as a democratic country.

The ILO said the new laws, which came into effect in September, fail to comply with Australia's international obligations to allow workers to freely associate in unions and bargain collectively with employers.

ACTU president Sharan Burrow, who sits on the ILO's governing body, said Prime Minister John Howard was setting himself above international law if he did not alter the Australian Act.

Keeping the wheels of the bandwagon rolling...

2005-11-17T22:57:00.000+11:00

Bandwagon or not, GO THE SOCCEROOS!

2005-11-16T23:22:00.000+11:00

As a once-every-four-years soccer fan, I'm thrilled to bits with the news that Australia is off to the World Cup. The Socceroos™®© certainly did it for Mr. Soccer, Johnny Warren.

If you follow the work of John Safran closely, you certainly can't be faulted for suggesting that he may have had a hand in sending the boys to Germany next year. In Episode 7 of John Safran vs God:

In one scene, he went to Maputo, Mozambique to have a 35 year old curse removed from the Socceroos based on a 1970 World Cup qualifier, where the Australians beat Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) with the help of a witch doctor, but the team didn't pay him for providing assistance. In the book "Sheilas, Wogs and P---ftahs", Johnny Warren claimed that the incident has been responsible for Australia's bad luck in attempting to make the World Cup ever since (players getting ill before W.C. Quals., missing out every time after 1974, and even then they drew West and East Germany in its group), and quoted the Iran incident in 1997 among others, where the boys let go a 2-0 lead in the final 20 minutes.

To make up for everything, Safran travelled to Maputo, Mozambique, offered gifts to re-pay the debt, and then take part in a ritual conducted by the descendants of the witch doctor to remove the Australian curse, where he was covered in powder and chicken blood and then washed in water containing a dead chicken's blood. He was then required to go back to Soccer Australia HQ and then to the Sydney Football Stadium to repeat the cleansing process over again, with Johnny Warren in attendance, thus removing the curse (but Australia lost its next match 3-1 to Turkey in a friendly.)

source

Blimey, how good was Mark Schwarzer?

Clarification

2005-11-12T20:11:00.000+11:00

Yes, I am in the Philippines.

No, it was not planned.

No, unfortunately it is not for a "holiday".

Write more when I touch down in Sydney.

Still here

2005-11-12T17:50:00.000+11:00

Hi all,

We're still here. Well, I'm here in Sydney and Mushroom's somewhere in the Philippines right now.

No, we haven't been arrested or anything.

Kind regards,
Mushroom and Rooster

TerrorChoices

2005-11-04T00:19:00.000+11:00

[as inspired by the Flute]

Download, then go forth and multiply! Drop us a line if you require the high-res versions, as Blogger image upload has the tendency to downgrade image quality.

The fallout part 2

2005-11-02T18:11:00.000+11:00

Howard reckons he's a bit of a gambler.

The fallout

2005-11-02T17:11:00.000+11:00

Personally, not bad for the one day everyone reckons they're an expert on horses.

NB: the $31.00 under "Lunch money spent $" includes the $10 outlay for the office sweep.

Madness

2005-11-01T13:03:00.000+11:00

You’re about to finish the last hurdle...

All the while you think that you're going to speed through the final stretch...

almost...

there...

And then you get a phone call Sunday afternoon.

Everything moves so fast.

And now you're looking for your passport, withdrawing cash, packing clothes...

Fighting tears, mustering strength…

So hurriedly...

So manically...

... just so tired.

Still here...

2005-10-30T20:34:00.000+11:00

Mushroom and I are currently going through some challenging times at the moment. No, it's got nothing to do with our partnership - things are great.

But in the meantime we'll take them head on and come out at the other end better for the experience.

You'll hear from us again soon.

Send Mushroom a Herocomment™!

2005-10-27T08:05:00.000+10:00

With a little over a day to go as I write this, Mushroom is powering onward to completion of thesis. Let her know you're cheering for her!

Go Mushroom go! We are so proud of you!

How much is your blog worth?

2005-10-25T17:48:00.000+10:00

Our blog is worth $3,387.24.
How much is your blog worth?

Now, laugh and smile for the cameras

2005-10-24T22:21:00.000+10:00

Stage-managed media events are a staple source of a politican's diet. You know, donning the hard hat and flouro vest, inspecting a construction site. Digging holes. Reading to children. I can't help but chuckle at such sport.

Here's a great example. President Bush was involved in a videoconference with soldiers in Tikrit prior to the referendum on the Iraqi constitution a couple of weeks ago.

From here

PRESIDENT BUSH: And so - like as - I mean, so the vote's in less than 48 hours, or about 48 hours, I guess. And so how do you - how - how - how would - are you confident? I mean, how do - how do you feel like the operations are going?

SOLDIER: Sir, our Iraqi partners have been conducting battalion- and brigade-size operations since April. And they have been planning and coordinating with other Iraqi security forces, such as the Iraqi police and local government agencies, preparing for this referendum.

...

PRESIDENT BUSH: Can you give us a sense for the reception of the people there in Tikrit toward the coalition forces, as well as the Iraqi units that they - that they encounter?

BOB GARFIELD: Gee, Mr. President, good question. Hadn't really thought about it 'til now, but, uh, just off the top of my head -

CAPTAIN DAVID WILLIAMS: Sir, in North Central Iraq, voter registration is up 17 percent. That's 400,000 new voters in North Central Iraq and 100,000 new voters in the Salahuddin province.

Listening to the broadcast/podcast, even to the untrained ear, it was abundantly clear that things felt pretty awkward. WNYC's Brooke Gladstone also added that it was "so obviously staged that the press immediately suspended its suspension of disbelief and hounded Presidential Press Secretary Scott McClellan about using soldiers in a war zone as stooges for a political photo op."

SCOTT McCLELLAN: I'm sorry sir, are you suggesting that our - what our troops were saying was not sincere or that what they said was not their own thoughts?

The NBC jumped onto the story, juxtaposing the President's videoconference with the dress rehearsal, inadvertently broadcast by the Pentagon for all to see.

ANDREA MITCHELL: This is Allison Barber. She works for the Pentagon.

ALLISON BARBER: Master Sergeant Lombardo, when you're talking about the President coming to see you in New York, take a little breath before that so you can actually be talking directly to him. [PAUSE] You've got a real message there, okay?

BOB GARFIELD: Mitchell called the episode a "rare look behind the curtain of the White House trying to sell an increasingly unpopular war." It was also a rare exercise of the mainstream press calling a thing by its name. They nailed the White House on fakery. What they didn't quite communicate was the sheer pathos of the attempt. It was simply excruciating to watch the President, his feet shifting nervously, trying to simulate conversation. The cringe-worthy piece de resistance was the exchange with an Iraqi army sergeant on hand to represent how homegrown forces have stepped in to lead the war against terror.

As they say in the industry, never work with children or animals.

[via low culture]

Apples and...

2005-10-23T23:29:00.000+10:00

Apples and...
Originally uploaded by the Pen.

Orange seems to be the new black this season.

Hasta la vista, climate change

2005-10-21T18:06:00.000+10:00

Radio National's Background Briefing ran a story last week entitled "The Business of Climate Change". Essentially the issue at hand is how the suits are warming (please excuse the pun) to climate change, especially in the insurance and energy industries.

You can download the episode from here, or better still, subscribe to the podcast.

I know fully well that climate change is a serious matter, but fast forward to 31:40 of the mp3, close your eyes and imagine Governor Schwarzenegger holding a 12 gauge.

My emphasis in bold type.

By the year 2010, our goal is to reduce our emissions to less than those we produced in the year 2000. And by 2020, the goal will be to take our emissions lower than the 1990 levels. And by 2050 our goal is to reduce our overall emissions a full 80% below those we produced in 1990. I say the debate is over. We know the science, we see the threat, and we know the time for action is now.

Anywayyyyyyyy, I couldn't stop laughing.

$15 million in 2 weeks

2005-10-20T11:28:00.000+10:00

[via Larvatus Prodeo]

Talk about beating the public into submission.

THE federal Government has spent nearly $15 million of taxpayers' money on advertising in the first two weeks of its industrial relations reform campaign, according to a survey to be released today.

ACNielsen figures obtained by Media show more than $4.7 million was spent on a metropolitan television advertising blitz in the first week alone, while nearly $1 million was spent buying four-page spreads in newspapers across the nation. Today's ACNielsen figures are expected to show the spend has blown out to almost $15 million.

The mammoth ad budget has already put the IR campaign on track to become the biggest advertising spending spree in Australian history. With no end in sight to the Government's bid to swing the public behind the IR changes, observers predict it will easily outstrip the GST campaign in 2000, which cost $100 million.

In stark contrast, the ACTU is now seeking donations to help keep their ad campaign on the air. Last night they were handing out "Your Rights At Work" bumper stickers, badges and flyers outside Central Station. I'd like to see the Government try and hand out the 15-page booklet (let alone the 68-page version) to the punters.

I'd rather be tortured with Harvey Norman ads than go through the hell that is WorkChoices.

Read the ALP's remarks here. Subscribe to their RSS feed while you're at it.

A slice of Taiwan on Macquarie Street

2005-10-19T09:10:00.000+10:00

Like his Federal counterpart Senator Barnaby Joyce, NSW Nationals MP Andrew Fraser decided it was a good idea to the cross the floor in Parliament. Unlike his Federal counterpart Senator Barnaby Joyce, NSW Nationals MP Andrew Fraser decided it was a good idea to cross the floor in State Parliament... and grab Joe Tripodi's throat.

From the Murdoch Press:

Mr Tripodi had been delivering a speech on upgrades to the highway in the National Party MP's electorate of Coffs Harbour about 9pm when Mr Fraser began to get agitated.

Mr Tripodi accused Mr Fraser of being absent from his electorate during an announcement over highway funding.

Mr Fraser then slammed down a glass of water on the Speaker's table before running around the desk to approach Mr Tripodi.

Onlookers watched as Mr Tripodi backed away towards the exit with Mr Fraser in pursuit. The MP then lunged, grabbing Mr Tripodi's neck and shaking him.

Four people, including the Sergeant of Arms, an attendant and two other MPs were forced to pull Mr Fraser off Mr Tripodi before he was forcibly ejected.

This is totally unacceptable behaviour, regardless of what side of politics you stand on.

Speaking to Sally McDonald on 702 ABC Sydney this morning, Mr Fraser said that he would be willing to "fall on his sword" but maintained that his concerns over the Pacific Highway still stand. As I write this he has stepped down from the Opposition frontbench.

Let's hope for sanity's sake that he gets his act together and the media move onto other issues - we don't want to see another John Brogden-esque situation.

UPDATE: wsacaucus' Guy has kindly reproduced the exchange between Tripodi and Fraser from the parliamentary Hansard.

They have a point

2005-10-18T22:12:00.000+10:00

So Barry Jones says that the ALP is suffering from "policy anorexia", inexperience and an unhealthy factional system. From a punter's perspective, he may have a point. There's no doubt that any supposed internal brouhaha is damaging the perception of the party amongst the electorate.

From the SMH:

"I think he's quite wrong. I think we will win the next election if we're fit for government and we've got the right policies," Mr Beazley told ABC radio.

"We are now engaged in the fight of our lives with a prime minister who wants to reverse 100 years of Australian social decency.

"Now that's what we're concentrating on - we're not concentrating on navel gazing."

Kim's right, the party has to move on. I also hope that Kim has acknowledged that the ALP needs to present themselves as a united front, and do away with the backstabbing and all that shit.

"There is some merit in some of the things Barry says," Ms Gillard told reporters in Sydney.

"I for one have been concerned about factionalism in the ALP.

"But obviously the task for Labor isn't to be navel gazing and focused on ourselves - the task for Labor is to be out there arguing about the things that matter for the next election.

"I have said in the past and I maintain the view there are some things about the culture of federal Labor which need to be considered and addressed."

(Swoons) took the words right out of my mouth Julia. I think you'll make a great leader.

Not only is there the opportunity to claim victory at the 2007 election; there is also the opportunity, right here, right now, for the ALP to prove its worth in Opposition in the face of a Liberal Government with a stranglehold of both houses of Parliament. The party stands for and understands the concerns people have with issues such as industrial relations "reform".

I'm a bleeding heart, and proud of it.

On that note, I'm planning to attend the next Fabian Society meeting - One Year Down & Two to Go - Can Labor Win in 2007? on October 26. I believe the birthday boy with the beret will be there too. See you there.

Widgets rock my world.

2005-10-17T22:58:00.000+10:00

Even more so when I found out that your aunty had a go creating one for ABC News and live cricket scores.

Did you want more WorkChoices banners?

2005-10-16T22:03:00.000+10:00

Why didn't you say so!

Frame 1

Frame 2

Blogger fucked up the animated gif that I uploaded. Send an email to mushroomandrooster@gmail.com if you still want it!

Thanks to Mushroom who came up with this gem. Here's the original just in case youse were interested.

I hate my life so much it hurts.

2005-10-13T14:49:00.000+10:00

(thump)

alkewguawlekjbjk,fdskjudfjmhdmndfnhjms
diudshjes nbsjhsejhsdnbsdhjsdkjsd
dmdskjdsfmnsdfjhsduyjhsdhnbsdbnsdh
gsduycxuycxvycjhsdnbdsnbdjbndjdsxjsdjhb
dskmjsnmsdhjasdkjsdjnsdnbsdbnhsdhbsd
hbshbdshsdbhhbshbhsjhs

(weeps... short circuits keyboard)

WorkChoices takes to the web

2005-10-13T12:33:00.000+10:00

We received a tip-off from a regular reader informing us of the WorkChoice campaign making appearances on the interwebs. I'm really gthat our agency was not offered/did not take on the work.

The supposed 9-figure integrated campaign has entered new frontiers. So far the banners, in various different sizes have made appearances on major news sites such as ninemsn Current Affairs, News and the Sydney Morning Herald. I wonder if the Unions will also take on an integrated approach. Painful memories of the Liberal Party outblitzing and outspending the ALP at the last election with their ads swaying apathetic and swinging voters their way.

I'll see if my Flash skills are up to the task with some counter ads. If you've got any ideas please send them our way!

Catch-

2005-10-12T22:31:00.000+10:00

I turned 22 yesterday.

Given what's been happening of late it pretty much passed like a ship through the night.

Disclaimer

2005-10-11T00:00:00.000+10:00

Because we need to take one wherever we go.

This opinions expressed by the authors of this website are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of their workplaces or educational institutions.

Any complaints or queries can be forwarded to this address.

John Howard's new bumper sticker

2005-10-10T22:19:00.000+10:00

It seems that WorkChoices propaganda uses the "Bookman Old Style" font, possibly in bold type. By my calculations and the eyedrop tool, the background colour is #EBAB00 (similar to the ACTU "your rights at work" campaign).

Any questions/requests, drop us a line and I'll see what I can do.

The Government may be using $100 million of taxpayers money pushing policy that has not yet been enacted to law, but let it be known that the most effective form of advertising is word of mouth.

It starts at the grassroots. The power to generate social change begins in our communities and workplaces. We all know what's at stake. Fight the good fight.

Let the adbusting begin!

Letter to an honours thesis

2005-10-10T18:46:00.000+10:00

Dear Thesis,

....I was beginning to like you. I thought we were friends!

And then you had to turn around and become a son of a bitch.

Fuck you,
Mushroom

Cappuccino for a cause*

2005-10-08T12:01:00.000+10:00

John Safran brought this to my attention during his program on Triple J the other evening.

On 8th and 9th of October, Gloria Jean’s coffee houses around the country are hosting a special event, Cappuccino for a Cause, to support the work of Mercy Ministries. And, we need your help to assist the charity’s life changing efforts.

When you buy a Cappuccino or Cappuccino Chiller over the event weekend, 50 cents from each sale will be donated to Mercy Ministries. You can also make an additional donation by purchasing butterfly chocolates or, by making a coin donation for a butterfly decoration or, simply by depositing money into the Mercy Ministries money box which sits on the counter in each coffee house.

Straight up it seems like Cappuccino for a Cause is a worthwhile initiative. It's like "hey, I'm giving to charity whilst I get my caffeine fix". I'm certainly not intending to belittle charities and causes that adopt similar styles of fundraising, such as McHappy Day.

Let's take a closer look at the Mercy Ministries, one of the many ministries of Hillsong Church. According to their FAQ page:

Mercy Australia runs a residential program for young women aged between 16 and 28 years with life controlling issues. These issues range from eating disorders, unplanned pregnancies, substance abuse, eating disorders, self harm, suicidal tendencies, depression and anxiety, and the effects of sexual and physical abuse. The average stay for a resident is approx 10 months, depending on each individual girl.

The program is very structured and is based on Christian principles. The residents have class time and bible study daily. Each girl is assigned to a counsellor when she enters the program and they work together for the duration of her stay. The girls are also involved in topical group counselling. Our residents leave the facility for shopping excursions, gym visits and church on weekends, escorted by staff.

Do you have to be a Christian / religious / go to church to come to Mercy?

No you don’t. All we ask is that applicants understand that the program is based on Christian principles. We ask that people are open to hearing about God and the way He can help a person overcome different life issues.

We have Bible reading and worship (singing Christian songs) each day. We also participate in church on the weekends and other Christian based activities during the week.

Does this raise any eyebrows? Many of you are aware of theories and business dealings connecting Hillsong Church and Gloria Jeans. It seems like charitable help - but it ain't unconditional. I don't know whether that is right or wrong, but there is definitely an ethical issue at heart.

We're all aware of faith-based charities such as the Salvation Army and the St. Vincent De Paul Society - they make their religious foundations well known. However, they seem to be able to keep their religious beliefs and their charitable works seperate. And in the case of the Salvos, undoubtedly earning acceptance as the most highly thought of charity in Australia.

They've got nothing to hide.

That's unconditional love.

*Conditions apply

You wouldn't do it in front of a stranger

2005-10-06T18:28:00.000+10:00

This week's On The Media podcast reported on the ways Americans consume their media. Middletown Media Studies II saw researchers spend entire days with their subjects entering data every 15 seconds with regard to their interaction with media.

Whilst the findings revealed that media use was the number one activity amongst subjects, it did not necessarily prove that mediums such as the television were cast aside for the internet. In fact, the punters are multi-tasking.

BOB GARFIELD: People have spent a lot of time observing how the television is becoming less central to our lives and - and giving ground to the Internet. Do the statistics that you've gathered support that analysis?

BOB PAPPER: Not necessarily. Computer use has certainly gained. It's now number two overall in terms of how much time people spend with different media. But television has almost a two to one margin over computer use. Common sense may tell us that as new media comes along, it replaces old media. But what we find is that people are just piling media on top of each other. Over 30 percent of the time, people are using two or more media at the same time. And in time spent, one of the most common pairings is TV and the Web.

But of most interest is this:

BOB GARFIELD: And, of course, because [CHUCKLES] you did have researchers in the room with the subjects, you probably saw a bare minimum of Internet porn downloading, which probably would have skewed your findings a little bit.

BOB PAPPER: Bob, once again we observed no use of pornography.

BOB GARFIELD: [LAUGHS]

BOB PAPPER: And we [CHUCKLES] - as always, of course, we attribute that to clean Midwestern living.

BOB GARFIELD: Yeah. [LAUGHS] I'm sure that's the explanation.

Welcome to our Temporary Pen (again)

2005-10-06T17:26:00.000+10:00

Hey Kids,

I've come out of my lockdown (briefly) to tell you that we've kinda been evicted.

We no longer reside at www.2001.girra.com/pen.

We'll be living back here in blogger for a little bit whilst we get our new digs sorted out.

So what is it like returning to blogger after all this time? Well... lets just say it's like staying at your parents place again after a long time out on your own. It's nice... a little cramped... but of course it doesn't feel quite like your home anymore.

Feel free to puruse the old posts. Obviously they are a little bit dated, when we were in our "meme obsessed" period.. you know... before our current "pseudo political popculture splice" phase.

So feel free to kickback and relax whilst I go back to lockdown town.

I've been watching TV

2003-11-17T22:52:00.000+11:00

Liking: Hello Hello, by The Cat Empire

I haven't watched this much television in ages! The primary reasons behind this uncharacteristic change in behaviour would have to be: [a] The Rugby World Cup (go the Wallabies!); [b] Exams, where procrastination reaches extreme levels; and [c] procrastination, which is worth repeating.

Anyway, a selection of the best TV from that weekend...
Iron Chef
With its Japanese translation as Ryori no tetsujin, it was the perfect precursor to Saturday night's clash between the mighty Wallabies of Australia versus perennial chokers, New Zealand. Here is the Internet Movie Database's take on the program:

Chefs from all over the world come to Kitchen Stadium to do culinary battle with one of Chairman Kaga's "Iron Chefs." Both the challenger and the Iron Chef have one hour to prepare a meal in which each course must prominently include the featured ingredient for that day's show. After the meals are prepared, a panel of judges samples both meals and determines who has made the better meal. Throughout the cook-off, running commentary is made by two "sports-casters" in a booth and one floor reporter.

If you're interested in the outcome of that evening's match, the Iron Chef reigned supreme. Oh, the Wallabies won too.

Rugby Union World Cup 2003, 1st Semi final

Aussie Aussie Aussie indeed.

My date with the President's daughter
Ahhhhhh, there's nothing like sitting down in front of the television, curled upon the couch on a very windy and rainy afternoon, watching the Seven Network's Sunday afternoon Disney movie. Usually I'd give this a miss and instead switch to SBS to watch the Premier League match of the week or sleep or go on the laptop and procrastinate a little more. Rather, I ended up sitting down and watched the bloody movie from go to woah, with the exception of switching to SBS during the commercial breaks. I have no idea why.

I understand its Disney and all, but its all too impossible!

Hallie has a curse, she's the daughter of the American President. And to make matters worse, it's an election year. But all she wants to do is go out on a date. Fortunately, geeky Duncan has the same goal When they finally get to the date however, a series of incidents could seriously damage the relationship...and national security.

But hooray for drug-free escapism!

In passing, now I know what I've been missing out on. I finally watched QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY.

Let the Renovating begin!

2003-11-17T15:34:00.000+11:00

Listening to | Life for Rent - Dido
Finished Reading | Stupid White Men - (The honourable) Michael Moore

As you know this little blog is our (that is myself and Rooster) temporary home for the moment as renovations are underway in our "new" pen. Its something which is extremely exciting for me since the last week has been extremely stressful.

It's not that living in this little blog hasn't been great. Like any renter, it's nice to have a cosy spot to call your own whilst you're working on the perfect house. But lately its beginning to show that we're starting to grow out of this place and we need to start looking for something a little more permanent. And as much as you try to put your own personal touches, it doesn't really feel quite like home when you're in a temporary dwelling.

So construction has begun on the "Pen" and I promise that all of you will be invited to the housewarming once its completed! The Rooster is doing a remarkable job, and me... well I'm being as demanding as per usual . We've agreed on the colour scheme, it just the layout and the font (you know the little things) that still need to be sorted out.

So stay tuned because we're packing up soon and will be moving on to our new site!

Willem Dafoe

2003-11-06T12:24:00.000+11:00

What Finding Nemo Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Stuff to procrastinate with

2003-11-06T12:04:00.000+11:00

Eb major - you are warm and kind, always there for
your friends, who are in turn there for you.
You are content with your confortable life and
what you are currently achieving; if you keep
in this state you will go far.

what key signature are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

What Finding Nemo Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Hello, my happy friend. You have high spirits and
know how to have a good time. When your friends
go out, most likely they invite you almost all
the time. You most likely will enjoy your
Halloween. Good for you. Keep up the
experiment. You probably light people's dark
days with your smiles and laughter. Although
you're good, doesn't mean you're an angel. You
can tend to have a scary and/or other type of
side to you. As long as you have fun, do your
scares this Halloween. Have a safe and happy
one, Joyous Pumpkin.

What Halloween Figure Are You? (Fun Quiz! MANY RESULTS!)
brought to you by Quizilla

"You must remember this, a kiss is still a
kiss". Your romance is Casablanca. A
classic story of love in trying times, chock
full of both cynicism and hope. You obviously
believe in true love, but you're also
constantly aware of practicality and societal
expectations. That's not always fun, but at
least it's realistic. Try not to let the Nazis
get you down too much.

What Romance Movie Best Represents Your Love Life?
brought to you by Quizilla

Onya Mushroom!

2003-11-05T21:22:00.000+11:00

I second everything you say! :D

Additionally there's nothing better than catching up on the latest opinions and juicy gossip from Sydney's Daily Telegraph. Here are a couple of extracts from letters to the paper on Wednesday, November 5:

"...this is a singing compeition, not a North Korean election." -With regard to those whose votes never ended up counting at all

"Why did Cosima not take the chance and see how she went, or at least quit before the first selection had been made?"

"Cosima could have made her announcement after the vote count. Had she won the count, she could have then passed on the baton to Shannon with honour. Had she lost the count, her announcement would have been irrelevant."

"Instead of writing a speech, perhaps she could have better utilised that time to let the public know her condition before voting had closed."

"...why did she not reveal (her voice condition) at the beginning of Monday's show? She was probably hoping against hope to get through to the finals instead of a far more talented Guy."

As tempting as it seems to continue berating Cosima, we'll try to move on and let you in on who we're cheering for in the Australian Idol final in a couple of weeks time.

ps. perhaps the true winner of Australian Idol would be that sleaze, Millsy. He's checked in at the Paris Hilton.

Back to Australian Idol

2003-11-05T18:49:00.000+11:00

Listening to | Sunsets- Powderfinger

What a great week for idol eh! First off I quickly would like to give my two cents on Cosima. What a pathetic little Drama Queen. Thank you for drawing away the attention from Guy and Shannon and making Shannon feel like he really didn't deserve a spot in the final two (although he doesn't really.. but that is beside the point). The night was all about her and her timing couldn't have been more poor. And all this crap about "well the producers made her do it".. fuck that. The producers didn't make her do anything: she could have backed out or refused instead of trying to draw out the sympathy card ... she should have thought about the consequences of her actions on her so called "Idol Brothers". Also (as the mighty Rooster said) nodules do not spring up over night. Someone should have informed the producers a little earlier. Perhaps they could have still saved Paulini.

Also a legal team should have seriously consulted Channel 10 before monday nights debarcle. Now they have the ACCC barking up their arse.

Anyway.. Cosima's lost many fans due to her little grab for sympathy. All I can say is the emphasis should be placed with both Shannon and Guy and not that immature little cry baby.

Something funny I found on their site regarding Shannon (sorry about the spelling, tis them not me):

if Shannon is going to win, there will be a
warning sign on every cover of his album:

****************************************
Warning: this album may contain some crappy voice that may not
be suitable for normal human hearing.
The main purpose for this album is to kill some infected mad
cow disease and encourage sheeps from midle east to jump offboard.
If you think you are infected with mad cow disease, please
listen to this album with knife in your hand.
***************************************************

Go Guy Go!

I thought as much...

2003-11-04T12:54:00.000+11:00

Listening to | Alright- Jamiroquai (From Travelling without Moving)

Ted: Food & Wine Connoisseur

Which Member from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is your type?
brought to you by Quizilla

When I first laid eyes on him I thought he was extremely attractive.. Don't ask why. Too bad he's gay. I think this all goes back to me finding Christopher Plummer from "The Sound of Music" mesmerising (again.. don't ask). Seems I'm attracted to the "older man" (well at least sometimes).

But it was a close call.. I love Kyan and Jai too! I mean how spunky are they? And also Carson (how funny is he?). But the thing is whats with Thom?! seems like a hes a bit of a mystery man to me.

With everything said.. I love Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

Whats new?

2003-11-03T16:46:00.000+11:00

Listening to | I like Love- Solitaire
Loving | Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Hating | Exams

I guess I should update this a little more!

But sometimes I just couldn't be bothered.. that or I'm extremely busy. In this case it's a little of both.

So to my adoring audience of 6 I'll give you the low down on whats been happening in my life thus far:

Uni: Uni is well... over. Actually not officially until around 11am tomorrow. This semester seemed to pass by so quickly, almost in an eye blink. And to add to that I feel as if I haven't absorbed anything from the past 13 weeks. Its kinda strange since I had deemed all the units which I undertook this semester as the "interesting" (read: fun) ones and because of that I thought that it would be a breeze. Thought being the operative word. It's been a very demanding semester and it has actually taught me that perhaps Law isn't for me. This is because through out the semester I've been exposed to Law Students (not try hard ones like me who enrol in quasi-law subjects) at the Law Faculty in St James. Can you imagine standing in a building in which some of the brightest minds (or people whose parents have the biggest purse strings) in the country?
It wasn't so much frightening but rather insightful.. because these are the people I have to be as good as, if not better.

I'm reconsidering if I can really cut it out there...

I guess I'll see when I get my results back.

Work: Work has been pretty good. I'm loving it.. except for the fact my manager is now an "ex-manager". Shes moved on to bigger and better things.. and Good Luck to her! Seriously, I liked my manager. Though she was a little strict she did give me my first chance at a real paying job, and she's trained me to be the best darndest sales mushroom I can be!

I only hope the new manager is just as nice.

Australian Idol: The last thing I have to comment about is Australian Idol. Now personally, I do think it is rigged just because of what happened to Paulini last week. Not only did the girl sing, she performed! The others (excluding GUY) karaoked. To have her voted out was an outrage. But I will know if its fixed for sure if Guy is voted out.
All I have to say is GO GUY GO!

I'm surprised but then again I'm thinking that I shouldn't be.

2003-10-27T22:36:00.000+11:00

Two words for you.

Australian Idol.
Cut me some slack, I hardly watch a lot of TV anymore :p

This evening's episode saw Paulini voted off the show - without a doubt one of the most talented finalists. Judging by the previous night's performances, Cosima should've been packing her bags right now. Guy was not meant to be in this evening's bottom two.

But for some reason my gut feeling sensed that a boilover would occur - a surprise in store. And there it was - Shannon and Cosima surviving another week. Ahhh... my oracle-like abilities work in mysterious ways. For the record I'm hoping Guy wins, but Shannon may just get enough votes.

Back to the world of semiotics.

Geez I'm exhausted!

2003-10-17T21:32:00.000+10:00

You know when you see someone yawning you imediately want to do the same. I was trying to look for this picture and whilst scanning each shot to make my decision, I was yawning non stop throughout my indecisiveness. Serves me right.

Anyway I am very very tired. I have spent the last week preparing for a party and looking for something appropriate to wear (in the midst of uni and my normal routine of work). I've also been searching for the perfect birthday present... and neglecting uni. Whats been worrying me the most is finding nice summer clothes to wear lately. I hate shopping for something to wear. It depresses me because it looks hot on the store rack and then I put it on stare into the mirror and see a retard.

Anyway... might go in for an early night...

University of Technology, Stupid.

2003-10-16T19:46:00.000+10:00

Enrolling in subjects for next year should be an event that is exciting, thrilling and something to look forward to. However it doesn't seem to be the case when I go to re-enrol. Queues. Bloody queues. Bloody bloody queues. Bloody bloody bloody queues.

If you haven't already guessed, this is a "complaining" post. I'm in the mood for a whinge. I'm set to graduate a semester later than scheduled (not that it is a bad thing, I could get a few extra hours at work then =D), but the subjects I inteded to do were full, so I have to wait now. But what's probably worst was the queuing and the fact that they do not seek any sort of consensus from students as to what they want to do next year (to gauge demand, etc.), that way they can structure classes instead of making us bend over backwards to try and efficiently arrange classes according to the times they try to shove down our throats. It's an absolute disgrace.

I was thinking to myself at the time, by the time they would've implemented an web-based enrolment system, I would have graduated by then. But who knows, I might still be at UTS when it comes around ;)

Go to hell Penrith.

2003-10-07T19:01:00.000+10:00

Listening to | Distant Light- Alex Lloyd

As you can tell I hate the fucking Panthers.

Moreover I hate the Media. And I'm not impressed with Ricky Stuart playing into Penrith and the Media's mindgames.

But... I still love my Roosters. Call them what you will but the "Sunsilk Galmour Boys" will be bigger and better next year ready to beat those pathetic pussies for OUR 2004 premiership. I can feel it!

But talk about irony, after the agony of our Grand final loss today I found myself holding a tray of Krispy Kreme doughnuts waiting for a Penrith Train.

God I hate the Panthers.

Ps. Sucked in Campbell.

C'arn Roosters!

2003-10-05T14:23:00.000+10:00

On behalf of the Mushroom and myself:

GO YOU MIGHTY ROOSTERS!

If you have no idea what we're talking about: click here.

Super Saturday

2003-09-30T09:47:00.000+10:00

A few events made Saturday a truly choice day. You're looking at one happy camper here.

Who says John Mayer's just for girls? I certainly don't agree. Aspects such as impeccable guitar work, and dry, sharp wit make him not only a hit with the girls, but with blokey blokes such as myself. His sellout gig was absolutely tops, the bloke knows how to entertain a crowd, he seems down-to-earth as well. Additionally, it's not everyday that you hear from the people who come across your blog - in fact - I never knew that we had an audience at all :p Cheers Propeller! Thanks for keeping an eye on the Pen the Mushroom and I inhabit!

Here are some photos to keep you entertained.

That's the guy who co-hosts Australian Idol, Andrew G. He also fronts a request show on Channel V (for those of you with Pay TV).

That's Lo-tel, John Mayer's support act for the Australian tour.

Man of a thousand (contorted) faces, John Mayer.

It's pretty much well-known that the Mushroom and myself are pretty much fanatical Sydney Roosters supporters, and had a good reason to celebrate. Playing just down the road from the Hordern Pavilion at Aussie Stadium, the boys got through to their second successive grand final with a strong victory over the "dirty cheating wankas", the Bulldogs. Now its only the Penrith Panthers who stand in the way for back-to-back premierships... go Roosters, go!

And finally, the Mushroom told me that she had a great day at work, having fun with her workmates, the fact that she can actually relax during VC Week (lucky thing) and the fact that we're buzzing after getting rid of those pesky Bulldogs. Have a spoonful of ice cream for me Mushroom!

Magic Mushroom's WEEK IN REVIEW

2003-09-26T19:31:00.000+10:00

Listening to | Lucky You- Baddiel Skinner And The Lightning Seeds

Mushroom gives a mighty to:

- Jamie's Kitchen and The Naked Chef: Loving Jamie Oliver at the moment. What a champion and he gave me a fantastic idea for a chocolate sponge cake. Its not even just the cullinary delights he creates. The soundtrack is pretty fantastic too.

- The Midsemester break... really needing some serious R and R

- Alex Lloyd: Love you Tiger! Especially love 1000 Miles from his new album "Distant Light". Can't wait to see you live in concert.

- People who are commenting on my old site! And still are.. but how the hell did you access it when I closed it 2 months ago? Fuck... the moment I shut down it gets so popular!

- Evan Jones: My lecturer for Political Economy. He's fantastic, brutally honest and extremely acerbic. Here's an example this is what Evan thinks of the The Teaching & Learning Committee's Student Reference Group which gives feedback in "teaching and learning"

the faculty is swimming in red tape and committees that go nowhere, dominated by an autocratic management style in which key decisions are handed down from above. But it is difficult to avoid participating in these forums when they come along. But be prepared for time-wasting.

- The Sydney Roosters: Come on boys... I know we can do it twice in a row. I can feel it. Let's make Ricky Proud. Who gives a toss about those fucking Bulldog tools?

Magic Mushroom throws a very angry and pissed off to the following:

- All Bulldogs and Bulldogs Fans. The only fuckwits bigger than the Bulldogs themselves are their fans. And all this bullshit about "the grand final that never was" get over it fuckwits! The Bulldogs are dirty cheating wankas. End of Story.

- Pricks that don't wait for people to get OUT of the train before PUSHING IN: Seriously people... get a grip. You're gonna have to stand for approx about 40 minutes from my station to the City. I stand longer than that for work!

- Overachieving SRC candidates: Geez people calm down. It's a student election for crying out loud. Bunch of cry babies.... complaining about every little thing. With no consideration to the poor polling officers (i.e. me) who have to contend with your whining and bursts of intimitation. No wonder only 10% of the student body votes.

- School Kids travelling for free sitting in seat on a crowded train: This really shits me. They occupy seats older people could be sitting in, or at least full paying passengers. I'm a student so I get concession, but at least I pay for some of my ticket and give up my seat for people when appropriate.

- Spring Hayfever: God I love spring, but I hate the associated allergies. Nothing seems to work. I feel puffy, swollen, itchy and sneezy. Frickin' Gnome, go do something about it!

Union elections and Alex Lloyd: all in the life of Magic Mushroom

2003-09-24T22:08:00.000+10:00

This post I'm going to attempt to break from my normal routine of not actually writing anything at all. I'm going to attempt something just for fun.

See, I always loved creative writing in senior high school. So I'm going to do something I haven't done in a long time. I will attempt to write in a different style… a different genre if you will. I call it "typical Blogger". This is because today I have something that I actually want to talk about! Okay so here it goes:

"This is what I did today in painstaking detail"- By Magic Mushroom

So this morning I woke up at 7:15… to catch the 7:50 bus. Needless to say I missed it. But the thing was I took about 15 mins to shower and change. I got to the stop at 7:45 and waited around until 7:50 and the bus didn't arrive. But It was so strange because I wasn't looking at the time at all, I hardly took notice to the fact that 20 minutes had passed until the next bus arrived. I was too busy being mesmerised by what was happening at the bowling club across the road. There was this dude who was on this mechanical mower looking device sliding smoothly from side to side on the lawn! I was fascinated!

Anyway, caught the 8:15 bus and arrived at the station at about 8:30. Then I caught the express train to Sydney Terminal and had a power nap all the way to the city. Well almost, woke up around Strathfield to the sound of a person with a plummy English accent talking on her mobile to a person she constantly referred to as "gorgeous". I had an image of a young blonde north shore archetype, only to discover that it was a very elegant looking lady of Asian decent! Didn't expect that one.

Then I walked from Redfern Station to uni and was greeted by a gauntlet of technicoloured paper and an endless stream of spruikers in coloured t-shirts. Election time finally arrived. I feel rather divorced from University politics, probably explains why I'm a polling booth officer this year. Every time I seek a candidate I'm filled with absolute disdain. The majority couldn't give a rats arse about the issues plaguing students today: The mockery that is the "Nelson review", the increasing corporatisation (or McDonaldisation) of Australian Universities, the trend of skyrocketing Uni fees in order to make tertiary education strictly for the elite whilst dumbing down the level of education made available within this country. All they really care about is how "SRC representative 2003" will look on their CV whilst climbing the corporate ladder after graduation. The minority that care are delegated to small factions who have no hope of ever gaining the attention or support that these other monster parties gravitate with cheap (yet extremely expensive) gimmicks. There goes democracy down the toilet.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is what happens when you study Political Economy. You become a disenchanted wreck… and then you earn money as being a "non politically aligned" polling booth officer.

That or become a dead set socialist.

Anyway, that aside I should get on with the story. First class was commercial law and boy was I chuffed when I walked in (10 minutes late) thinking that I absolutely CREAMED this tutorial. I spent all of last night working on the answers. And as per usual I was wrong. Nowhere near correct. Makes me think I should revisit those dreams of being taking up law, I'm neither confident enough nor do I have the right answers. Nor am I confident enough to convincingly argue that I have the right answers, regardless if they are wrong.
Next after running through another gauntlet of ever increasingly aggressive election campaigners was Political Economy. I love Political Economy, especially my lecturer Joseph. He is absolutely fantastic: very frank, very intelligent and extremely entertaining.

An hour later the Magic Mushroom bolts to Fisher Library (again coming face to face with legions of campaigners looking at me as if they would lick the dirt off my shoes just to have my vote) to borrow books for the Rooster. Mind you I had a lecture, which was due to start any moment so I was panicking! I also accidentally head-butted Rooster and gave him a split lip (so very sorry about that).

Then I bolted to Carslaw for Labour Law. Again this is the other of my favourite subjects! The lecturer, Suzanne, is the current one which is inspiring me to fulfil my dreams of practising Labour Law. Oh I'm reminded that after this I should write up an entry dedicated to Labour Law et al.

Anywho, I met up with G (I'll refer to him as G, dunno if he's cool with being mentioned online) who I usually sit with in Labour Law and he kept me updated about the young lady he's infatuated with though he "doesn't really like" her anymore. Right. Whatever.

Luckily the lecture finished 40 minutes early! Rooster and I met up again and ran like the wind to the bus stop only to miss the bus by moments to the QVB! Arrggh the anger! After 10 more minutes we were off to see none other then Alex Lloyd @ HMV Mid city!

(Sighs) Its official, I'm in love with Alex Lloyd.

He is an absolutely brilliant entertainer and musician; his live performances are so rich and raw. I love musicians/bands who can retain their sound live and on CD. I was totally mesmerised (though I couldn't see. Damn the curses of being vertically challenged!)

We lined up for around 10-15 minutes waiting for him to perform a couple of his songs. He played some of his old stuff as well as tracks from the new album and it was a captivating performance. The only thing that hindered the experience was the idiots who tried to push in to the autograph line and the fact HVM security did nothing about it! Pricks.
Watching Alex talking to all his fans whilst autographing and having pictures taken, it was obvious that though he's a little shy he loves meeting his fans (and we was happy to oblige one who wanted to sign her "chest").

Anyway below are a couple of happy snaps from the HMV gig.

I'm so going to see him at the Enmore during this live gig. Can't wait!!!

Well I guess that's the end of my rant. There were plenty more things that happened today… but I kinda want to keep those to myself. Honestly I can't understand people who can detail EVERYTHING that they experience each day! My life isn't that interesting, doubt people really want to know.

So I guess, that's it! I'll promise never to put you through drivel like that again.. okay my audience of 6?

ps. I CAN'T believe Jack from Neighbours. What's more I can't believe Nina sleeps with him.
pps. I can't get over Movie of the Week on SBS is being chopped. David Stratton has been an institution for 22 years! I feel somewhat empty.

Mushroom and Rooster meet Alex Lloyd: the photos

2003-09-24T20:47:00.000+10:00

Think of it as a supplement to the Mushroom's post regarding Alex Lloyd.

He's tops.

Dead Cat Tuesday

2003-09-17T15:23:00.000+10:00

Sprained fingers

I engaged in vigorous physical activity, for the first time in a long time, and suffered the abovementioned injury. My right ring finger is now tremendously larger than its counterparts. But interestingly, I can't remove the ring that I wear on that finger.

My only hope is that it isn't blocking or strangling circulation to and from the finger. Please dont turn gangrene.

Mushroom's Friday Five!

2003-09-15T13:46:00.000+10:00

1. Is the name you have now the same name that's on your birth certificate? If not, what's changed? Yes it is.

2. If you could change your name (first, middle and/or last), what would it be? I love my middle name. I don't like my first name. Apparently my parents wanted to name me "Vanessa Christina", but apparently when I was born and they looked at me they thought the name wasn't quite right. Its a shame really, Vanessa is a much more elegant name than my own. Both my first and second names are fantastic when you're less than 10, but I don't know whether I'll be taken seriously in the industry I'd like to get into after uni.

3. Why were you named what you were? (Is there a story behind it? Who specifically was responsible for naming you?)
Well, I was named after my mother, and this lady my mother worked with before she moved to Australia. Apparently the lady was a very strong, determined and very elegant young lady. I suppose she wanted those qualities in the child she had given birth to.

4. Are there any names you really hate or love? What are they and why? I dislike serveral names. I'm not going to disclose them.. The reason I really dislike them is because I've had altercations with people who shared those names. If I dislike someone, then there is an automatic sigma with their name.
I do like the names Jaikob, Jarod, Jude, Alexander for males. Female names I adore are Vanessa, Veronica, Claire and Julia.
For some reason the name Frederick Jason appeals as well... its a very attractive.

5. Is the analysis of your name at kabalarians.com accurate? How or how isn't it?

"[My name] contains within it an intense emotional power that could drive you to put forth great effort to accomplish your ambitions and to do something noteworthy and worthwhile. There are humanitarian ideals in this name, making you feel the urge to champion the cause of the downtrodden, the victims of circumstances and injustices. However, it is difficult for you to materialize your ideals because of a restless, unsettled feeling which causes you never to know just what it is that you should be working toward, and the very intensity of your nature makes systematic concentration and application a challenge. You can have intensely contrasting feelings toward people, either you are fiercely loyal or extremely intolerant. There is rarely a happy medium in your feelings. Consequently, you experience many disappointments in people, tragedy, and the loss of the very things for which you may be intensely striving. Bitter experiences could make you cynical, critical, and argumentative. You find it difficult to see the brighter or humorous side of a situation"

"[My first name] gives you a responsible, expressive, inspirational, and friendly personality. Expression comes naturally to you and you are rarely at a loss for words; in fact, you have to put forth effort at times to curb an over-active tongue. Self-confidence has made it easy for you to meet people and you are well-liked for your spontaneous, happy ways. You sincerely like people and do not often experience loneliness; your work and home-life are likely filled with association You enjoy music and could have a fine singing voice; however, the study could be somewhat difficult because you do not find it easy to apply yourself to concentrated study for long periods. In this respect, this name is not altogether constructive; it creates a somewhat scattering influence which makes it difficult for you to finish what you start. This name brings disappointments and emotional involvements through being too sympathetic and easily influenced.

I have no idea whether they are acurrate or not! Most of it, funnily enough, sounds true!

Rooster's Friday Five

2003-09-12T19:53:00.000+10:00

1. Is the name you have now the same name that's on your birth certificate? If not, what's changed?
As is.

2. If you could change your name (first, middle and/or last), what would it be?
I used to not like my first name when I was younger. In Kindergarten I kicked up a tantrum when I was called by my first name, prompting a discussion between my mother and my teacher. They both asked me what I wanted to be called. Hesitantly, I said that my first name was preferred (probably in the interests of not getting told off, silly me). But in hindsight it does not bother me anymore.

3. Why were you named what you were? (Is there a story behind it? Who specifically was responsible for naming you?)
My first name begins with the same letter as my dad's. Ditto for my second name, but after my mum. Of course mum and dad were responsible for naming me.

4. Are there any names you really hate or love? What are they and why?
The one name that I really, really hate is MOLLY. Why? It sounds so redneck/hick like.
I'm a big fan of Jarrod, Jude and Louise. Why? Ever since The Pretender graced our TV screens, I've been a big fan of Jarrod, the title character (and his name); Jude for some wierd reason that its a funky name; Louise, because I believe its quite a beautiful, chic and exquisite name.

5. Is the analysis of your name at kabalarians.com accurate? How or how isn't it?
I'll dissect this question in accordance to my first and middle names.

My first name
This was so-so...

...a very individual, reserved, serious nature...
This name restricts spontaneity in association and the fluency of your verbal expression. When you are required to express yourself in personal matters requiring finesse and diplomacy, you feel awkward and embarrassed.
You are steadfast and loyal, and do not allow gossip or anything belittling to be said against those whom you accept in friendship.

My second name
Damn that's spot on!

...sensitivity and appreciation for the finer and deeper things in life...
When your interests or curiosity are aroused, you work intensely at new undertakings, but your interests often wane when you encounter drudgery and monotony, with the result that you leave many things unfinished.
You are fond of outdoor sports, where you can find an outlet for your nervous energy. Impulsiveness could bring frequent accidents and unfortunate happenings into your life.
Your speech can become very critical and sarcastic when you are frustrated or crossed.

Dead Cat Tuesday

2003-09-10T10:11:00.000+10:00

Law textbooks

They're the hardest things one could ever read. Try a little legalese someday!

Something to SHOUT about!

2003-09-08T16:06:00.000+10:00

Listening to | White Flag- Dido

Okay.. I am a very happy little mushroom for the following reasons:

1. My Andy won the US open!!!

2. "Thats my team" is FINALLY on CD

and Last (but in no way least)

3. My Roosters won against those stupid Raiders!

Stick this up your pipe and smoke it!

Now all we have to do is get rid of those pesky Panthers... cause we ALL know that all the other teams and ESPECIALLY those pathetic excuses for a football team (the Bulldogs) Are NO match for the MIGHTY ROOSTERS!

Nails and all...

2003-09-07T21:56:00.000+10:00

I'm procrastinating as per usual... an International Business Law and Regulation assignment due this Thursday - yay!

Finally, don't you just love the liberating feeling your fingers and toes have after you've cut your nails? I do.

Dead Cat Tuesday

2003-09-02T21:37:00.000+10:00

Lesbian kissing is certainly going to be a hard act to follow... :p

Since the demise of the popular weekly meme "This-or-that Tuesday", by official decree Tuesdays shall now be known as:

Dead Cat Tuesday.

In honour of the cat who was unfortunately killed by the ever-omnipresent curiosity.

This inaugural edition of Dead Cat Tuesday will look at a term that I never have heard before till this evening. The topic of this evening's Advertising Strategies lecture was on concepts and copywriting for radio, in which the guest lecturer was a copywriter on Sydney's Nova 96.9FM. He spoke about the use of actors in radio commercials, as well as the wierd things those actors do during recording sessions. First he mentioned that one actor asked for a stool to stand on so he could get a feel for his "dominant" character. Another wanted:

RAINBOW EMPATHY.

What the hell is rainbow empathy? Rain-bloody-bow empathy!

I've googlised it, came up with no search results. I shall try the academic journal databases, wish me luck.

That my friends, is Dead Cat Tuesday.

Dirty... Dirty Dirty Tramp.

2003-09-02T18:06:00.000+10:00

Listening to | Follow you down- Gin Blossoms

I always knew Britney was a dirty slut... but damn.
She's turned into a Lesbian Whore... or at least a Bisexual one.
You gotta be feeling sorry for Justin. I mean here's a guy who makes his living being a sex symbol to young impressionable girls. Tough break for everyone to now find out you turn chicks lesbian.

For some odd reason this brings to mind the chanting of the Jerry Springer Audience. Wonder why...

1,2,3 Testing...

2003-09-01T13:37:00.000+10:00

I'm trying to test something new out here... bear with me. Just checking if this HTML works

Now back to work for me.

Saturday with the Rooster

2003-08-30T22:13:00.000+10:00

I know that all of you are quite keen on finding out what I've been up to - lazy cock not posting anything but Friday Fives :p So here's a post - an attempt to write in a different style. Let's see how we go...

Today was so cool! It was like, heaps mad.

The alarm on my monophonic-ringtone-compatible phone woke me up at 6:53am this morning, it was the best feeling. I peed, gargled then hopped into the shower and wished I stayed there all day long. Beats nakedness outside. My stomach isn't my best friend at 7:30am, so I just had a cup of Dilmah. Once I was all dressed in my Rebel Sport uniform et al, I drove to Quakers Hill station to catch the train to Parramatta. That was the furthest I've driven by myself this week - I'm so proud!!!!!

Even though I was at Westfield, I didn't do any shopping at all though, nor did I do much browsing LMAO - just tried on a pair of schweeet brown pants at Colorado after work. Speaking of work, heheheh I got to work for 4 hours today - that is like, so many hours. I don't bother talking to other people except customers and management, because the tennis racquets need to be hung up. That $500 Prince racquet is tight shit, I want one!... LOL

I finished work at 1pm, the mushroom was on her lunch break which was tops. We browsed the food court for a bite to eat. She got a roast chicken salad from Macca's and I bought her a KFC chicken fillet burger and a Taco Bell satay beef burrito for myself (a missing-the-most-important-meal-of-the-day treat). Mushroom returned to work and I paid her a visit. I saved a dollar or two by buying my weekly train ticket today - tommorow fare increases come into place. I like trains. I like leaving assignments up to the last minute. I get so wasted doing it.

I didn't really care if the Colorado pants looked good/shit/whatever or if I bought them (or anything else for that matter), as long as I get to see the smiling mushroom's face.

The Mushroom posts

2003-08-30T18:57:00.000+10:00

Listening to | All in my head- Kosheen

What to write....

It seems that the majority of posts that turn up here are predominantly the friday five. So I thought to myself that perhaps I should put something a little more substantial.

... but what should I write about?

I don't particularly want to be one of those people that blog a minute by minute discetion of their day was just to project to the world this image of a wonderful downright facinating person. I find usually that they either have extremely poor self esteem or too much of it.

Besides I doubt anyone really wants to know about the day to day happenings of my life.. or any others for that matter. Its so fucking boring!

Hmmm what to write about....
I've been watching HEAPS of Neighbours of late and I have a few things to comment about that:

1. Jack is a total fuckwit. And I don't mean your "run of the mill" Fuckwit... A stupid cheating fuckwit. A serious first class wanker.

2. Nina is an idiot too. I know they're trying to make her this sweet as sugar chaste princess, but it makes me want to throw up.

3. I'm loving this Boyd/Skye thing. Boyd is such a pussy. I remember those episodes with Skye as a toddler back in 1989 and I always wondered whether they would bring her back... to think shes a teenaged girl now makes me feel old. But what cheers me up is that not only has she grown up to be a funky rebel, but the fact she's dragging around Boyd by his balls (and his new dreads). You go girl!

As I'm typing this out I'm also watching My girl. I haven't seen for AGES. For those people who have never seen it, it's about this little girl's rites of passage during the summer of 1972 (I think it was '72 anyway). It stars Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin (before he got strange and became a teenaged divorcee). Last time I watched that movie I cried like a little sissy. I wouldn't stop bawling especially in the bit where she's screaming out
..."he needs his glasses...put his glasses on...he cant see without his glasses on!"...
God thats tragic...

Hmmm .. what else to write?

Eleven told me something pretty funny today on MSN:

¹¹9: RoosterEleven// says:
broncos lost for the 6th time in a row
¹¹9: RoosterEleven// says:
to lowly lowly parrawho

On that note... I better run off and study. I think I have a midsemester on tuesday.

Oh woe is me

The Rooster's Friday Five

2003-08-30T00:36:00.000+10:00

1. Are you going to school this year?
School of hard knocks? Still attending :p
University? Yes.

2. If yes, where are you going (high school, college, etc.)? If no, when did you graduate?
Many of you know that I go to the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS).
As an aside, UTS got its name due to its brown 28-storey cornerstone building (the Ugly Tall Structure). It's that big, and that ugly, it can't be missed. Oh, and many of the people that go there seem to go clubbing right after class, as suggested by the exhausting effort to find something to wear.

3. What are/were your favorite school subjects?
In high school: Business Studies. It beat the hell out of maths and an English department that didn't care about me :'(
At uni: Any of my advertising units of study for sure!

4. What are/were your least favorite school subjects?
In high school: Maths by a country mile. If you sat in on one of my classes you'd know why.
At uni: Accounting. I'm not really a numbers guy.

5. Have you ever had a favourite teacher? Why was he/she a favorite?
In high school: my Legal Studies and Business Studies/Economics teachers were tops, always looked forward to their classes.
At uni: Deano the advertising guru.

Mushroom's Friday Five

2003-08-29T16:22:00.000+10:00

Listening to | Tiny Dancer- Elton John

A little something about School

1. Are you going to school this year? Sure. But I really wouldn’t call it school. Its more like University.

2. If yes, where are you going (high school, college, etc.)? If no, when did you graduate? I'm currently studying at the University of Sydney (also known as the "The Sandstone Uni trying hard to be Oxford", "The uni full of all those pretentious fuckers" and most importantly "The university of Hypocrisy and Greed")

3. What are/were your favorite school subjects? Extension English... absolute favourite. It allowed an outlet for my creative juices (which have seemingly run out of late). I enjoyed Psychology and Labour History at Uni... but slowly starting to hate Political Economy.

4. What are/were your least favorite school subjects? Maths... ECOP 2901 and ECON 1001 at uni. Political Economy is getting pretty high in the hate variety. Perhaps it has something to do with the disaster that was last semester.

5. Have you ever had a favorite teacher? Why was he/she a favorite? I had a few.. I've mentioned them in previous posts. My English teacher in year 11 and my economics teacher for both year 11 and 12 were particularly inspirational. But I guess that I've learned something from each of my teachers past and present (even the particularly bad ones)

Procrastination is fun...

2003-08-25T21:45:00.000+10:00

weeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Mushroom's Friday Five!

2003-08-23T18:15:00.000+10:00

1. When was the last time you laughed? Just then whilst listening to Pharrell's "Frontin'"

2. Who was the last person you had an argument with? My mother.. but its okay because we talked about it after and all was forgiven.

3. Who was the last person you emailed? I can't remember!

4. When was the last time you bathed? This Morning

5. What was the last thing you ate? A supreme pizza.

The Rooster's Friday Five

2003-08-22T19:45:00.000+10:00

These questions are quite voyeuristic aren't they?

1. When was the last time you laughed?
A couple of hours ago, I can't remember exactly when as the said act occurs quite frequently.

2. Who was the last person you had an argument with?
Can't remember, it was eons ago.

3. Who was the last person you emailed?
James and Matthew, of NVS 4.

4. When was the last time you bathed?
This morning, 7am

5. What was the last thing you ate?
Substantial meal - Pancit (Filipino noodles), bread and butter for dinner
Not-so-substantial meal - A few Jersey caramels.

Mushroom's Friday Five!

2003-08-16T19:35:00.000+10:00

1. How much time do you spend online each day? 1-3 hours. Not every day... it probably averages out to that.

2. What is your browser homepage set to? IDXnet.com.au

3. Do you use any instant messaging programs? If so, which one(s)? MSN messenger , ICQ for SMS'

4. Where was your first webpage located? Errr... I don't remember..

5. How long have you had your current website? Approximately 2 weeks

The Rooster's Friday Five

2003-08-15T23:24:00.000+10:00

I'm getting sleepy...

1. How much time do you spend online each day?
Too much for my own good.

2. What is your browser homepage set to?
about:blank

3. Do you use any instant messaging programs? If so, which one(s)?
MSN Messenger mainly, icq if the need to sms arises, or I'm at uni (as IM programs such as MSN Messenger aren't allowed to be used at UTS, its gotta be icq2go).

4. Where was your first webpage located?
Ahhhhh... http://roosterhaven.homestead.com

5. How long have you had your current website?
This site? A couple of weeks now maybe.

The return of the Sequels... Mushroom heads to the movies

2003-08-13T19:25:00.000+10:00

I'm seriously itching to see a really good flick. I mean all work and no play makes for a dull mushroom (Wait a moment... I haven't really been working and hell I'm a dull mushroom regardless) Oh well anywho back to the subject at hand) I decided to catch a flick this friday. The trouble is I don't have any idea what to watch!

It seems like movies today are either total crap.. or a sequel... or possibly both.

The list includes:
Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets
Lord of the Rings: the Two Towers
Charlies Angels 2: Full Throttle
Matrix Reloaded
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
American Wedding (Or for us here in Australia "American Pie 3: The Wedding" because we're too dumbarse to know that its part of the franchise)

Then the list continues with such gems as:
Bad Boys II
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde
Jeppers Creepers 2
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd

It's almost like every single movie ever made now has a sequel and most of them have been pretty bad... but the worse one probably is Freddie vs. Jason. Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees combined... 20 years after they first came out on to the big screen? Christ I thought they would be a bunch of geriatrics by now. What some people will do to try to make a buck.

I think I might save my money and spend it on some ice cream

... mmm... Baskin Robbins..

Terrorists v Mushrooms

2003-08-13T11:10:00.000+10:00

Forget the Bulldogs, the Roosters, the Panthers and the like for a moment - rugby league's match of the year is on this weekend! That's right, there is no need to wait until the first weekend of October for the NRL Grand Final when a couple of the world's best rugby league teams will square off in the Virtual NRL 2003 Grand Final. This year's combatants are the match favourites, the Parramatta Terrorists and the sentimental underdogs, the network eleven Mushrooms.

Both teams boast excellent performances during the season, with the Terrorists with an 18-5-3 record and finishing 3rd in the regular season. Their largest victory was in the first round of the season, defeating the Caterbury Bulldogs 34-0. The Dummettus Dummetteers were responsible for the Terrorists' biggest defeat, 50-29 in round 9.

However, the Mushrooms are the league's minor premiers (12-3-3) with a whopping 240 for-and-against record. The highlight of the Mushroom's season would have to be their 58-0 thrashing of si v r in round 16, they were also soundly thrashed in the semi-finals by the Terrorists 40-16 which may seem to suggest that they've peaked too early.

From their past 3 encounters, the Terrorists have been victorious on 2 occasions (round 8 48-24, semi final 40-16) whilst one match was drawn (round 17 12-all). But come Friday night, that counts for nothing.

Parramatta Terrorists: David Peachey; Anthony Minichiello; Laloa Milford; David Vaealiki; Scott Donald; Shaun Berrigan; Andrew Johns (c); Michael Crocker; Luke Ricketson; Willie Mason; Robbie Kearns; Richard Swain; Mark O'Meley. Interchange: Willie Tonga; Preston Campbell; Ashley Harrison; Jason Cayless.

network eleven Mushrooms: Rhys Wesser; Francis Meli; Josh Hannay; Ben Harris; Ty Williams; Brad Fittler (c); Brent Sherwin; Steve Menzies; Ali Lauiti'iti; Anthony Watmough; Petero Civoniceva; Chris Flannery; Todd Payten. Interchange: Michael Robertson; Owen Craigie; Jerry Seu Seu; Brent Kite.

A little food for thought

2003-08-13T09:10:00.000+10:00

It all boils down to the simple things in life.

Just one more before I go:

(Why) should it matter, I used to think, what others thought? ... Who says they are it and get to define who I am... Worry of others overtakes us and robes (sic) us of the pleasure that we are so entitled to. Even if it's in a pitiful little dress.

It worked!

2003-08-11T11:40:00.000+10:00

Now that the comments facility is working, time to make it look a little more prettier.

The Rooster's Friday Five

2003-08-08T17:55:00.000+10:00

1. What's the last place you traveled to, outside your own home state/country?
I went to New Zealand for a week with my family in April.

2. What's the most bizarre/unusual thing that's ever happened to you while traveling?
My suitcases exploding on the tarmac at Miami, Newark (New Jersey) and O'Hare (Chicago) Airports. I also puked riding in first class from Miami to Newark during that same holiday.

3. If you could take off to anywhere, money and time being no object, where would you go?
Around the sun. Hang on, I do that every year.

4. Do you prefer traveling by plane, train or car?
Depends where I'm going really. But long-haul flights can be a bit of a bitch at times. Bloody cattle class.

5. What's the next place on your list to visit?
Europe. Especially Prague and all those other chic places. Can you sneak me into your luggage Mushroom?

The Friday Five!

2003-08-08T17:19:00.000+10:00

Travelling without moving

nb: I know that Rooster (Eleven) more than likely wants to do this too. So to differentiate, I'll answer in blue

1. What's the last place you traveled to, outside your own home state/country?
Victoria

2. What's the most bizarre/unusual thing that's ever happened to you while traveling? Well.. actually I don't remember anything unusual or bizarre that has ever happened to be whilst traveling. Well there was this one time that my brother caught chicken pox while were traveling to America.

3. If you could take off to anywhere, money and time being no object, where would you go? I'd take a year long round the world trip. I'd probably take a longer sojourn in Tuscany to soak up the fabulous wine, food and warm atmosphere.

4. Do you prefer traveling by plane, train or car? Car.. and Plane. I haven't been on a plane in years! Perhaps I should take a holiday.
Wait.. thats right. I'm a poor uni student. Perhaps in 2 more years..

5. What's the next place on your list to visit? I want to take Europe by storm after graduating uni!

Pathetic.

2003-08-07T19:35:00.000+10:00

Listening to | Scientist- Coldplay

I feel terrible.

Its one of those days... one of those days where it seems you're riding on a rollercoaster wondering when it's going to stop shifting from high to low. Only you discover that that's life- it's full of these times where you could be on top of the world at one moment and then the next you're in the depths of dispair.

When one obstacle is down there is always another waiting for you to overcome.

After a while this becomes exhausting.

Today I'm going through my "feeling like a sack of shit" phase where everything is wrong. Nothing looks right, nothing feels right.

I'm fucking pathetic insignificant piece of shit floating about making no real impact on the world as a whole. If nothing my existence has been for the amusement and belittling of everyone I have ever made contact with. I am a purly emotional punching bag for all people to relieve their own episodes of depression.

I apologise for the fact that I've become cesspool of negative emotion, embellished self loathing and sullen attention seeking selfishness and right now..

Ingore me as I wallow in self-pity..

Nothing good can come of this situation... so perhaps I should end this post here.

Of self-adhesive covering and a song by Coldplay...

2003-08-06T21:19:00.000+10:00

A couple of my textbooks (well, at least 1 of them) are now well-protected thanks to the efforts of Nylex Cover-it self-adhesive book covering and the exceptional knowledge and skill of the Mushroom. On a train hurtling around the Sydney CBD, I was tutored in the art and mastery of marking out and cutting the portion of plastic to use, folding it in half, cutting away the backing paper from the centre crease, placing the spine of the book in the dead centre... but that's all I shall reveal - as a MAGIC mushroom never gives away her secrets. That's tops mushroom!

Driving home, I had the radio tuned on Nova 96.9 FM. To my amazement, shock and disgust, I went through the torture of listening to a completely reworked and regurgitated remix of Don't Panic from Coldplay's first album, Parachutes. A mellow rock song converted into a fucking poor excuse of a dance anthem. Chris Martin's voice was blasphemically replaced by a bunch of female voices reminiscent of those other dance tunes. What a disgrace. That stinks.

Is this working?

2003-08-05T19:41:00.000+10:00

I guess it is... :P

I'm trying to get used to my new surroundings. Things are extremely different to my 2001.girra.com site! Anyway, I'll write more later on... right now the shower and tutorial homework call *shudder*

Everything's not lost

2003-08-04T22:08:00.000+10:00

We are proud to announce that our incumbent sites are still with us! Speaking to the owner of girra.com earlier, I was informed that the domain had simply expired a few days ago and was renewed promptly when brought to his attention. I offered to assist in the financial costs of paying for the domain, but he politely refused. Oh well.

In the meantime, until the sites are up and running again, watch this space.

In-between houses

2003-08-04T00:12:00.000+10:00

Unfortunately certain events have led us to our current abode here at blogger. Our previous sites hosted at 2001.girra.com have just decided to vanish into thin air. So whilst we try to correct the situation with our incumbent blogs, we'll have to settle for this instead. We'll keep you posted on any developments.

[Eleven and Magic Mushroom]