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[Nov. 9th, 2009|06:46 pm] |
I like getting emails from my dad. He only writes in Spanish because even after 30-something years in the States he's still not confident or comfortable enough to write or speak English. He wrote today to update me on tragic events that occurred last week. One of my cousins passed away in Mexico City. I don't think she was even 20. She'd had issues with epilepsy and from the few accounts I'd heard she was being treated and living a pretty normal life, save for the occasional seizure. Last week she was at home and her mother asked whether she wanted anything to eat. My cousin said no, she was tired and wanted to lie down and nap for a bit. And she did. And never woke up.
There was a whole lot of WTF in a few different countries when the news broke. Her eldest brother's been traveling around Europe and living in Ireland for a year or two. I'm here. We've got family in Mexico and the US. My dad and some other family from LA flew to Mexico for the funeral. I can only imagine how ripped up my aunt and uncle are to lose their youngest child and only daughter.
As much as I love being part of a massive and loving family it really stings when I lose a relative. I can't afford to fly home for every single funeral and they understand that, so I pay my respects any little way I can.
Anyway, I am actually a bit broke at the moment and need to start scrimping and saving like a mothereffer. It's Silly Season, which makes frugality difficult. There are maybe two birthdays per weekend from this past weekend until Christmas, then there's New Year's, Rainbow Serpent, Japan, and Faith No More. Gracias a la vida. |
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| (no subject) |
[Oct. 27th, 2009|01:12 pm] |
Going to Japan for two weeks in Feb!
Gonna snowboard in Niseko for a week and run around elsewhere the other week!
I should have my Australian passport by then too!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
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| bzzzzz |
[Oct. 14th, 2009|10:49 pm] |
If for whatever reason the gods choose to smile upon me and provide the blessing of discounted air fares, there is a good chance I'll be visiting Japan for a week or two in Feb. Ferkin' exciting, I tells ya!
Probably (okay, hopefully) going to Meredith in December. Four of us want to go, three of us have tickets. Maths. I've secured my Rainbow Serpent ticket for Jan. Will hopefully score a ticket to Faith No More in Feb when they go on sale.
Tim bought Rock Band a few weeks ago. He's the better guitarist. I'm the better drummer. I tried "March of the Pigs" on Easy and somehow got away with 88%. "The Perfect Drug" is definitely more difficult. Don't even get me started on Soundgarden. |
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| I'm not the girl you once put your faith in, just someone who looks like me |
[Sep. 10th, 2009|09:02 pm] |
I've been meaning to write about last weekend because it was really one of the best weekends I've had in this town, full stop.
I suppose weekends technically start Friday night, but a quiet one was on the cards. Tim and I were both really tired and I had to get up before noon on Saturday to shoot Wildflower, a friend's new restaurant that's just opened in Canterbury. We went to ACMI and watched some short films before heading over to Chinatown for dinner. Fell asleep on the couch after some of Watchmen and most of a bottle of red wine.
I got up the next day with lenses-a-blazing and ready to shoot, but not before having breakfast at an awesome Turkish cafe on Swan Street (omg, the scrambled eggs...). I was pretty happy with the shots I took at Wildflower and even happier when he insisted I try some of everything I shoot. Started with scallops and a crab custard tart, moved onto the rib eye fillet, then some barramundi with artichokes, a pressed trout/leek/lentil terrine, and two desserts. Not too shabby considering that isn't even part of my payment for the gig. I'm hoping to finish the shoot this Saturday evening.
After I got home I had about an hour to get ready and pack my stuff for the remainder of the weekend. Kate and I made it into St Kilda with about an hour or so to spare, so we got dinner and then headed to the Palais to watch Aimee Mann. It was kind of a special gig for the both of us. Kate listened to Aimee Mann during her angsty years and I did so out of a fierce appreciation of her work. She still sounds as good as she did in 'Til Tuesday and even sang a fucking brilliant and haunting "Voices Carry". It was also nice to have a little bit of California come to me for a change. I met her briefly outside the venue after the show and she signed my tour poster. She was warm, funny, down to earth. Just as I'd imagined.
Kate dropped me off at Flinders Street station and I made my way down to Night Owl off Flinders Lane, just past Elizabeth Street. Steve (a.k.a. Squirrel) was having his farewell drinks and was going out in the style I would've expected him to; lots of drum 'n bass, lots of booze, lots of friends. Tim was slotted to play from 4-5, but the owner decided to close at 3:30 because it was too quiet. Poor Tim actually worked at trying to stay up because he was filling in for someone else. One of the attendees suggested we all go back to his place in Northcote and Tim could have first mix. We all filed into cabs and ended up in a warehouse that somehow also house a small kitchen, loft, shower and toilet. There were massive speakers and a couple of decks already going when we got there. And it was then we knew we were in it for the long haul. The beer and deep conversation were flowing at equal rates. At some stage a second after party came in from somewhere and before we knew it time got away and it was almost 10 a.m. We decided sleep was an option and headed up toward Nicholson Street with a handful of others. Slept until about 3 p.m., engaged in a few hours of Ren & Stimpy and got up to go to Steve's last of the last farewell gatherings - dinner in North Melbourne. It was a comparatively early night. We finished up shortly after 11, only because the place closed then. We didn't have it in us to move on, so we bid our goodbyes to Squirrel on Errol Street and watched him wander off with two of his housemates. I could tell it was all starting to hit Tim. He wouldn't see his close friend for at least a year or two. This was it. It was real now. They'd been through a whole lot together. I just gave Tim a squeeze. We wandered the streets of the CBD for a bit before heading back to his place, watching some more Ren & Stimpy and finding more sleep.
I felt like I just got a lot out of that weekend. An abundance of great food, great music, great company - all the things that make it hard to leave this place. It's why Melbourne feels like home right now. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 24th, 2009|11:08 pm] |
Tired and sleepy and tired. Just felt like writing a lazy odds & ends entry.
Went to the Dali exhibition yesterday, but got there with under two hours to get through it, so they offered us the last hour and a chance to go back for no extra cost. What I saw thus far I really liked. But then again, I've always been intrigued by Dali's work. Also, it's fun to make juvenile remarks within earshot of wanky connoisseurs.
Capped the evening off with a screening of District 9 and cheap sushi. Minor script holes aside, I really enjoyed District 9. It's just sci-fi goodness on the big screen.
I've got a small food photography job in the pipeline. A guy I know has opened a restaurant in Canterbury called Wildflower and they want better photos for their site. Pros: I get paid in food and cash. Cons: can't really think of any.
For those who love trashtacular TV, see if you can download Season 2 of Real Chance of Love. One of my second cousins is in it.
I've been watching Stephen Fry In America and liking it. Tim downloaded it and we're up to the last episode. From the looks of things he's going to end up in San Francisco by the end. I'm curious to see which other parts of California he'll pick at.
My parents called me last week to say hi, which was really lovely. They're officially technologically inept, the poor things. They've been trying to send me emails and I just haven't been getting them, so I have actually gone for months at a time without hearing anything from them. I get regular updates from my sister-in-law, which does suffice. But I'd just like to hear directly from my folks a little more often. I'm pretty sure they looked at the web cam I got them for Christmas and wondered whether it shoots lasers. Bless. |
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| 2/2 |
[Aug. 20th, 2009|08:23 pm] |
That there's Queenstown, as seen from almost 800 meters up. The more snow-centric photos will eventually turn up on Facebook, courtesy of other people.
I'm starting to feel the raging workout I gave my legs those few days I was on the snow. I wobble a bit when I get up from sitting too long and I've been walking funny for most of today. Sitting for long periods of time just feels a bit wrong now, but I've never been on a holiday that called for early morning starts and rigorous physical activity. It only served to make me appreciate the rest periods more. One of the best feelings in the world was getting into bed with a beer after a day of snowboarding. Sure, I gave my knees a good thrashing and did something weird to my neck, but I didn't break any bones and for that I am truly grateful. There were a couple of moments at both mountains where I just stopped trying to improve my technique, and stood still and in awe of where I was.
I don't know that I'll get much more practice in this season, but I definitely aimed to get a little better and a little more comfortable each time I strapped my feet in. I'd like to do more turns and maybe start some small jumps next time.
The trip was kind of a big deal for a couple of reasons. It was the first holiday I've had that didn't involve going home and visiting family. God knows I love them, but the change of scenery was very much welcome. Also, it was the first "proper" holiday I've had with Tim outside of Rainbow Serpent and a weekend in Anglesea. I don't really discuss such details on LJ, but I'll just say we had a really lovely time.
And now I'm gonna fall asleep listening to the rain. |
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| part one of two |
[Aug. 18th, 2009|11:02 pm] |
fuggin' TIRED.
New Zealand is beautiful. Just beautiful. I'd like to go back in the summer months and see more. We flew into Christchurch on Thursday night, crashed for a few hours and got up early Friday morning for the five-hour drive to Wanaka. For the first few days it was me, Tim and Martin, one of Tim's former colleagues. We spent Saturday and Sunday carving lines into Cardrona with our boards. Monday morning we hit up Queenstown and collected Tim's cousin Sam. Unfortunately, I got hit with a bug that day and spent Tuesday in bed while the boys hit Cardrona again. I wasn't feeling a hundred percent on Wednesday, but I still got a half day of boarding in at Treble Cone. Conditions weren't prime anyway. It'd been raining most of the day and visibility was patchy. We hit Cardrona again on Thursday. I was feeling much better and the day was a stunner. Sunny, blue skies, soft snow. Perfect for stacking in! We had a rest day on Friday, which involved visiting a local microbrewery (run by a guy from LA, no less), having lunch by the town lake and sitting in a hot tub for two hours. We spent our last snow day on Treble Cone, which provided us with some incredibly stunning views. I've never seen mountains like they have there and I've never seen so much snow in my life. Really unbelievable scenery.
I didn't take any photos while on the mountains, but thankfully the other guys did. Their cameras can actually fit in their pockets, you see.
I wanna write more, and I will, but right now I'm exhausted and need sleep. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 6th, 2009|11:35 am] |
I've got a couple of hours of respite before making my way toward Tullamarine. And what a fucking hectic couple of days it's been.
I started packing Tuesday night and thought I'd play it safe and, you know, put my passport with my things. Went up to my room to get my passport, which I usually keep in the same drawer in my closet. No dice. Looked in any other spots I might've absent-mindedly put it. Again, nothing. Turned my room upside down. Nothing. Looked all over the house. Still nothing. I was trying not to panic, but about an hour or so later I just lost all composure. I called the U.S. Consulate first thing yesterday morning, not knowing whether they assist retards. They turned out to be incredibly nice and very, very helpful. Went to the Consulate this morning and less than a hundred bucks later I was issued a new passport.
So now I'm packed. And fucking relieved.
I'll be back on the 17th, surely with bruises and other evidence of boarding on proper Nuh Zuhlund snow. |
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| heel side |
[Jul. 8th, 2009|09:42 pm] |
This is my snowboard.
This is Mt Buller. On a good day. And let's face it, it's been ages since it's seen a good day.
This is what my right knee looked like after two consecutive weekends of throwing myself down the side of Mt Buller learning how to snowboard. The good news is I'm getting better!
A snow bunny I never thought I would be. Alas, in a matter of weeks I bought my own board and snow gear, and threw some caution to the wind. I went with people who have a) been snowboarding for eons longer than I have and b) seen much better conditions, so understandably it wasn't the best environment to cut my teeth in, but it was a start nonetheless. Finding my snow legs on a board has been bizarre but exhilarating. I volunteered to be taken out of my comfort zone, but gradually became accustomed to all the weirdness I was putting my body through. Falling a lot didn't bother me too much (at least, not until the soreness came later and even that didn't last long). They say that if you're not falling you're not trying hard enough. I didn't realize what a comprehensive work out it is too, and it only heightened what I was already sort of in denial about...I am out of shape. So I broke down and joined a fucking gym. I go to Fernwood two to three times a week to improve muscle tone and core strength.
And now I'm really super amped to go to New Zealand next month and frolic in some proper powder for ten days. I plan to take my board back to California and try the terrain there as well one day. I'd eventually like to make my way up to Canada too.
Between that and photography I'm thinking I should hold off on picking up anymore expensive hobbies. At least this one's only seasonal. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 9th, 2009|05:15 pm] |
I'm sooooooooo tired.
Had a slightly bigger weekend than expected, but still managed to get my ass up outta bed early this morning for an interview on Lygon Street. I've got a meeting tomorrow morning at 11 (yay for sleep) at Nova. I just submitted my Winter Sound System photos. All in all, pretty happy with the results. I only stayed for a couple of hours, but shot pretty much the whole time. I managed to get some priceless shots of the munted among the masses, mostly for Nova but also for my own amusement. I'm never inclined to post those on my Flickr account, though. I like to keep it somewhat tasteful.
WSS turned out to be the meat in my party sandwich Sunday night. Before and after the gig I was in Northcote celebrating the engagement of two good friends. As expected the food was awesome, the beer plentiful, the company lovely, and Tim and I were the last people to leave. I spent most of Monday in bed working off a mild hangover and the rest of Monday on the couch working off a mild hangover.
And now I'm gonna go be tired some more. |
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| it's the tragedy of dreamers like me and you |
[Jun. 2nd, 2009|12:52 pm] |
After nearly five years of residence on this lovely chunk of dirt, I finally (FINALLY) put my Victorian driver license to use this weekend. We agreed to split driver duty, so Tim drove to Angelsea on Sunday morning and I drove back last night. It was nice to get out of the city for a little while, get some sea air in my lungs and just have some quiet down time. I was nervous before the drive, but did well to forget about it once I got behind the wheel. It felt weird and a little disorienting at first - especially given that it was dark, raining, the roads were not lit for the first quarter of the drive, and I was on the other side of the road AND car. Still, I made it to the city in one piece, dropped Tim off at tennis and got back to Richmond with not a scratch on the car.
Great success! </borat>
So, P!nk...turns out photographers were only allowed a photo pass for the first two songs and then outski. No tickets. I'm not a fan of her music, so that didn't bother me, but had the opportunity arisen I would've stayed just to witness the spectacle. I have to hand it to her, she's quite the entertainer, and pulled out all the stops as far as stage design and antics went. That just made my job easier and kinda fun, so kudos to her.
In other news, Brendan Nelson totally looks like Leland Palmer from Twin Peaks! Am I right or am I right?
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| (no subject) |
[May. 28th, 2009|11:09 pm] |
I was in Coburg the other day having lunch with Tim when the conversation pointlessly turned to the ring I was wearing. We laughed about it because it's a mood ring. I said I don't usually wear mood rings, it's just something I came across a few weeks ago when I was going through some old things and decided it would be fun to wear it from time to time. It does actually produce some interesting colors. (We agreed it should be more accurately called a heat ring since the color changes according to body temperature.) I said I probably subconsciously wear it because I miss wearing the rings I bought last year. I left them at a friend's place in New York. I noticed Tim's concentration lapse momentarily and he quickly apologized, then asked me to repeat the last thing I said. So I said, "I left my rings at a friend's place in New York." He said, "Okay. That's weird. I think I just had déja vu. Not too long ago I had a dream where we were sitting in this exact place with that wall behind you and you talked about leaving something in New York." Well, there you go. He's a nerd AND a precognitive dreamer.
I got the call to shoot Pink at Rod Laver this coming Saturday. Should be interesting, but I can't imagine wanting to stay for the whole show unless I get a plus one and can share the experience of fulfilling my morbid curiosity with someone. Who am I kidding...I don't have any other plans that night, I may as well stay. |
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| (no subject) |
[May. 22nd, 2009|11:03 am] |
Not much to report other than I went to my first proper concert shoot for Nova last night. The Presets were great. But seriously? Festival Hall is a joke. If you're not in GA, it seems kinda pointless. I do not get the things that resemble electric fencing along the seated areas at all. Yeah, I know, I can't complain over free tickets, but it's put me off ever buying tickets to a show there. The sound seemed weirdly dispersed too. I get that it's got historical significance and The Beatles played there or whatever. I wonder whether that provoked the "I'll never wash this hand again" response from the owners because they haven't bothered to renovate the venue or its acoustics since it opened.
My photo pass was a big pink nipple, which was terribly amusing. Trashbags were a dime a dozen, also good for a laugh. Tim and I concluded that trashbags end up at gigs like The Presets because they're too scared to handle proper raves.
Next thing on my calendar appears to be Winter Sound System. Don't ask me, I just work there. |
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| *cough* |
[May. 14th, 2009|11:06 am] |
I went to a farewell party about six weeks ago here in Richmond. Four of my good friends were leaving town for some time. At this party I mingled with the usuals and ended up having a nice chat with a guy and his girlfriend, neither of whom I'd really spoken to before, and both of whom work somewhere in advertising. I don't remember who she works for, but he works for dmg radio. They house Nova, Vega and some other station I don't listen to. We got to talking about job hunting, which I was knee-deep in at the time. The nice chat became an in-depth discussion about what my strengths and objectives are professionally. I handed him one of my cards and he contacted me a few days later saying he liked my photos and asked if I wanted to come in to dmg's offices for a chat. I accepted the offer, but it was postponed because the digital director he wanted me to meet was out of town. He came back and a meeting was scheduled for yesterday. It was me, the guy from the party, the digital director and the guy in charge of online content. It lasted maybe all of ten minutes and just like that...I became a photographer for Nova and Vega. It was almost as easy as me walking into this house almost a year and Kate handing me the keys.
When they asked me what my objective was I told them I basically wanted to end up in a position where I can play to my strengths and combine the written with the visual. They saw on my resume that although I'd established myself back home, I haven't had that same opportunity here and they pretty much offered it to me on a platter.
It seems the climate right now is such that if you're offered ANY job you should take it, especially if it's from someone you know. And after months of fruitless searching and frustration someone offers me a job I actually want with what feels like barely any effort on my part. I have to give myself some credit, though. If I hadn't gone to all those gigs with my camera, out of my own pocket, I wouldn't have been able to show them what I'm capable of. And if I hadn't opened my mouth at that party six weeks ago this guy wouldn't have known much more about me beyond the fact that we share mutual friends.
They're basically sending me to any gigs they're promoting for the time being, with a view to maybe taking me on for a combined copywriting/photog position in a few months' time. I swear to god, I'm holding onto this opportunity for dear life. |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 27th, 2009|03:53 pm] |
Saturday night I saw School of Seven Bells (or SVIIB) at The Corner. Goddamn, they were so infectious and pretty. They actually made me want to get my ass in gear and start a band. And to be honest, the desire to start one or join one has been forever dormant. It's something I've hummed and hawed about for probably too long. It almost seems silly, having come from a musical family, to not start something. The problem is I haven't played anything or read any music in so long that I wouldn't know where to start. I'd feel more confident having someone around to bounce ideas off of who wants to make the same sort of stuff I do. But I wouldn't know where to find that person either. Well, if it's meant to happen, something will come up.
Went to Cinema Nova last night and watched Mary and Max. Seriously? Watch it. It's based on a true story of Mary from Mount Waverley and Max from New York. They become pen pals and...just watch it. It's funny, poignant and tugs the heartstrings. If you liked Harvey Krumpet you'll definitely dig this too. |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 21st, 2009|01:41 pm] |
The other day I did two things I didn't think I'd do again for a long time. Rode a bike to a tennis court and played tennis. Okay, I didn't really play a proper game, but I was given a basic lesson and I didn't suck as much as I thought I would. I was told I have potential and I think I agree. My backhand is weak, though. The bike wasn't actually mine, I was returning it to a friend's place in Northcote. But it made me want one. The weather's great for riding at the moment. Pity I have to spend my K.Rudd bonus (wherever it is) on silly things like rent and electricity.
I know I'm horrendously late to the party, but I finally started watching Battlestar Galactica. Just about to start season 2, and if anyone spoils anything for me I'll have your hide.
I recently visited the DIMIA site out of curiosity to find out when I'd be eligible to apply for dual citizenship. Computer says: May 11, 2009. Shit, that was quick. |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 17th, 2009|04:37 pm] |
The In An Absolut World advertising campaign invites consumers to visualize a world that appeals to them — one they feel may be more idealized or one that may be a bit “fantastic.” As such, the campaign will elicit varying opinions and points of view. We have a variety of executions running in countries worldwide, and each is germane to that country and that population.
This particular ad, which ran in Mexico, was based upon historical perspectives and was created with a Mexican sensibility. In no way was this meant to offend or disparage, nor does it advocate an altering of borders, nor does it lend support to any anti-American sentiment, nor does it reflect immigration issues. Instead, it hearkens to a time which the population of Mexico may feel was more ideal.
As a global company, we recognize that people in different parts of the world may lend different perspectives or interpret our ads in a different way than was intended in that market. Obviously, this ad was run in Mexico, and not the US — that ad might have been very different.
By Paula Eriksson, VP Corporate Communications, V&S Absolut Spirits
Hm. The ad ran only in Mexico and was aimed at Mexicans. Uppity, paranoid conservatives north of the border who got whiff of the ad started campaigning to ban Absolut and start drinking Stoli and Grey Goose. Personally, I think it's a pretty ballsy ad, given the constant tensions between the two countries. I like it. |
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| what will make you believe me? |
[Apr. 17th, 2009|01:07 am] |
I was just having one those stream-of-consciousness moments after watching Neko Case on Letterman perform "This Tornado Loves You". The inspiration for the song, she stated in a recent interview, came from a dream she had of a tornado that appeared before her and asked her to read to it. It didn't have any way to hold the book and needed her help.
It reminded me of when I used to have recurring dreams about tornadoes. They were always quite massive, violent tornadoes and I would always either be outside watching one approach with no conceivable plan of escape, or watching it from a window of a shoddily constructed wooden house in the middle of nowhere. Always in daylight.
Lately my dreams end up at any given stage in the house I lived in for ten years before I moved here. And when it gets to that point I'm either looking for my parents or I just stumble upon one or both of them. It happened again last night. One moment I was sitting in the lounge room here with Kate, which was particularly dark and just confusing, and the next I walked over to what became my parents' kitchen. My brother walked in, followed by my mom and dad. I hugged my brother and mom hello. Then I hugged my dad, and held onto him for a really long time. I squeezed him and said, "It's okay. Okay? It's okay." Then let go. And that's all I remember. I woke up feeling vulnerable and started trying to dissect what that could've meant. I suppose it may have something to do with the fact that I've found myself thinking of home in the last week, which seems a bit uncharacteristic of me after having just been there. Normally I go, I have my fill, I come back and move on with my life here. I don't know. Maybe there's something in the works that's slowly starting to take shape and I'm not supposed to know what it is yet. |
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notiris's journal
