Magic

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Terracotta

That familiar sting of DOMS! After attempting to roll out of bed with the least discomfort possible, you find yourself stifling your laughter because it hurts your overworked abdominal muscles. Sitting down has become a whole new task in itself. Every step throughout the day is now a graceless mission in wincing and groaning. Ah, love the burn!

Selcouth

For me, the big leap wasn't getting on the plane. The big leap was a few days earlier when I left my sister's house - my home.

It was pulling the door shut behind me, locking my keys inside, knowing there was no turning back.

Hillsong

When the dust gave way to forested mountains, I sprang to life. Although I enjoyed being a child of the desert, I am certainly more of the tree hugging type.

The benefits of hand washing

It pays to tend to your own laundry; There are things that might be missed should you not take to task yourself. In order to do a fine job of it, forget machinery. Bang it against a rock, scrub hard if you have to, be sure to rinse well.

Oh and mind the dirt, it is all of your own doing anyway.

Alphabet Soup

Pack your plans by all means, just be prepared to leave them at your first destination when you realise they are not quite suited for the terrain ahead.

Battery Hens

In the world's second fastest growing economy, would you not learn from the tragic mistakes of The West? Stop while you're ahead! If anything, at least pause to buy time whilst you brainstorm a better game plan.

Managed correctly, our developing nations could be the ones to make a difference.

Willosho

You are capable of so much more than you could ever bear to believe. If you dare to take a walk on the wild side, do tread carefully because the human mind is a delicate Eco system. Take the good with the bad and be sure to bring home a memento or two.

Meanwhile, in Rajasthan

An interesting notion came to mind the other day; I remembered with a jolt of disbelief that I own a car, I lived in a house, I shopped for groceries. Somewhat embittered, I concerned myself with the human concept of time - that gravity stricken force, ever bearing down with such heavy-handed command. It all seems worlds away now, some kind of dream within a dream ringing with nostalgia. I am now beginning to differentiate Reality and Real Life.

Four walls and adobe slabs

The North Indian desert is harsh; mercilessly beating you down before slowly dragging you back as you inadvertently take on some of its own special brand of resilience. Once your appetite sheepishly begins to return, so does your boundless love for this strange, exotic place. So confused - the both of you - as you plunder through a land caught in a time warp, clumsily grappling with modern progression.

Title lyrics from Animal Collective - My Girls

Chatter

Sometimes I wonder what the English language would sound like to the foreign ear, how it would be to learn. Not quite as exotic on the palette but more difficult I assume, in spite of our words so short and precise.

Safari

My dreams have become vivid, of silk saris and camels and racing through the hot desert. Not as far removed from reality as perhaps I would like, welcome to Rajasthan.

Thunder

If another can gain greatness and it is of no harm to you, let it be. It is of no importance. Damage can be done only by the poorly thoughts you hold on to; nothing good can ever come of resentment.

Their song will not make yours any less beautiful.

Violins

She reaches out to touch my feet and motions make-believe food to her (maybe) baby sister's mouth. Two starving children before me and I feel nothing but apathy? I shout "challo!" as my rickshaw pulls away but I feel sick at my own sense of triumph for not giving in. The begging industry certainly owes a big Fuck You to Slumdog Millionaire.

Street Food

Some places are so wild, so intense, so richly fascinating that even if you've been there before you can never quite be prepared. Kind of like your own mind, in a way.

Bravery

Better to go it alone than not at all. You are stronger than you think.

Buffy

So keep the loose canons! Problems always present with solutions. Stay flexible and think on your feet.

City Lights

Proof that human infestation isn't always ugly. Something about the glittering skyline makes my heart skip a beat.

Sunday Roast

Moral high ground sure ain't easy street; a glorious vista that comes with a price. Your jaded wisdom has cost you social credit but fortunately you have principles to keep you warm at night.

Murals

People have this incessant, inherent desperation for love that I cannot fathom. Why can we not see that love is all around? The bigger picture has so much beauty yet we all seem to miss it whilst we try to catch the eye of that cute girl or wonder why he hasn't returned my call. Just stop it. Look up. If you're feeling lonely, it's probably not due to a lack of love, it might be that your definition is skewed.

Tabs

Money and status do not impress me and I don't care what you "do" unless you love it. Talk to me with passion about something you truly care about; only then will I be eager to learn more about you.

Amazeballs.

We consistently overrate things by underrating things. Powerful language becomes tired and watered down. Get creative, stay honest. Be mindful of your word selection.

Plastic and metal

Perhaps I long not to put my heart in another's hands because it already is, in a much more tangible sense. An issue so dear to me, so personal, yet rarely I pay mind.

Too soon now, I will walk those hallowed halls, or will I learn not soon enough? My darling little not-so-secret, tossed about with technology, entertained once more.

And hopefully the clouds will hang there suspended for a while longer, not a sun shower in sight.

One Nation?

The media and it's ever-participatory and enthusiastic audience is taking great delight in tearing apart Islam's vision for creating a political party supportive of Muslim Faith. "How dare they!" the Aussie Battler shouts; "We'll be run by terrorists!" I can hear the fascists ranting as BBQ tongs are thrown in the air all over backyard suburbia.

This generic brand of apathetic ignorance is asking for trouble. Further alienation of minorities within Australia will only serve to widen the segregation and manifest resentment and hatred within and toward our Western Supremist community.

You say no Muslim Party? I say down with Family First, Australian Christians and all of the like. One in, all in. Fair is fair!

I appreciate that values and belief systems are perhaps built upon teachings of whatever scripture one may have decided to adhere to, but in my opinion religious labels and accompanying outdated connotations are to be left at home. No church, temple, or mosque should have place or sway in free-world democratic politics.

Surely we can run the country without the great divide muddying the waters. There is no us and them, wouldn't you call that UN-AUSTRALIAN?

Geometer

Decades past my use-by date yet somehow best ever. An iron will, more mettle than the kettle-bell I swing overhead.

Spark Plugs

Today I realised just what it is that makes one good at life. It's an inherent ability to always make the best of any given situation. To seize opportunity. To have knowledge that the sun is indeed still shining. It's about taking responsibility, accountability, and realising that you have a choice.


I have spent so long trying to be good at life. I thought it was all about grown up drudgery and boring stuff. On paper it seems difficult; more focused on logistics. In reality? It all comes down to attitude.

NTFF

If he puts a foot wrong, it's he who slips so why are you diving off the deep end? Are we all walking tightropes?

Poppies

Try not to take it personally, little lamb. Limelight is fleeting and this too shall pass.

If the average human gained as much satisfaction from watching another succeed, where would the supposed glory lie in competition? Tabloids would fail and coffee wouldn't taste so sweet. At least you're giving the kids something to talk about.

Leave Britney I mean Miley alone!

The internet world seems pretty hung up on Miley Cyrus's (so-called) raunchy display at the recent VMAs. The only thing I find shocking is that everyone finds this shocking. Like, really... Are you that surprised? Instead of scurrying around talking about Miley's wellbeing or criticising her for being a little, well, skanky - perhaps we should be gravely addressing the state of society today, hmm? Entertainment media works on a supply and demand basis; ask and ye shall receive.

Billboards

The more I learn, the less I know.

Unstoppable

How this video brings joy to my heart. Reasons basic and otherwise.

If consequences dictate a course of action

Title lyrics taken from Tool - Jerk Off

Lol.

Perhaps there is nothing to "get", it's simply a matter a taste. That's the beauty of opinion, subjection makes us all right.

#deactivate

So I have temporarily logged out of Facebook for realzz. For the last few weeks I have been mentioning that it is killing my vibe. I'm surprised how easy it is to unplug in the heat of the moment. Here's to a refreshing couple of days!

Hashtag liberating.

V

She marched right in there, and she faced her darkest memory. There were no spiders on the walls, the floor, clustered in the corners. It must have just been a bad day all those years ago.

Australians Against Islam

Aussie Pride? I wish I could have Aussie Pride. It's ignorant bigots like you who leave me feeling disappointed and embarrassed. Will I be left feeling ashamed as I traipse the planet in search of cultural electrocution?

If you have a southern cross tattoo, or the aforementioned emblazoned across your back windscreen, then well done. You have just catapulted yourself straight to the top of my Never, Ever Date list!

Dish me up!

I don't care if it's all starting to sound the same, downtempo electronica done well is just too delicious to resist.

On high rotation of late:
Rufus
Ghost Loft
Bonobo
Blackmill

Yum. I can't get enough!

Manhole

As the tanker pulls into the quiet suburban street, the screeching brakes resound through the silent night. She should be in bed. They told her to go to bed. She knows now, that she should have listened. She stands in doorway, so innocent. Just a little girl. There is no hiding now. A hardened, time-worn face is illuminated in the cabin light as she sees the door swing open and a strange man climbs down from the truck. He proceeds towards the house, unhurried yet menacing. Wordless.
And she runs.




(Driving home from work tonight I passed a trucker pulled over on the side of the road with his cabin light on. Perhaps it was the dark mood evoked by a track playing on Triple J's The Sound Lab but I was weighed down heavily with eerie emotions from a terrifying dream I had as a six year old. It was a bizarre sensation and I am struck by the fact that twenty-two years later it's still so clear in my mind! And so I am compelled to jot it down.)

Spiderwebs

Whilst chattering on a tightrope, it is easy to misstep. Be mindful not to overbalance when in damage control. Talk less, think more. Focus is key.

Skipping Rope

Take what you can from even the smallest of lessons. Heed these words; patience is indeed a virtue and that old blame game? It will get you nowhere.

First Frost

The arrival of winter always signals the death of Facebook for me. Eye-rollingly desperate attention seekers take to the news feed to announce how empty their beds are. Boring!

In response to this shocking social phenomenon, I created my first meme.

Bobby Pins

Too precious to live in a display house. Too relaxed to ever feel at home.

Unrest

Sometimes I have this deep, niggling paranoia that people really are out to get me. Then I stop to remind myself; ain't nobody got time for that!

Plate Glass

How can one conversation with a pair of strangers catch me so off guard with its content, its intensity? Why so timely, Mr Detective? Surely such conversations have place and reason. I'm just a humble bar tender finishing up her shift. And now I want to go home. I need to sleep this off.

I need for Eight Legs to stay away for the night but I fear the same old dreams.

Pop Star

I am releasing my next single Patience is a Virtue with a B-Side of course; Fake It 'Til You Make It.

Skies

I will always bounce back; I will always forgive.

You go, Glen Coco

My armour is heavy but not without chinks. How about that ever-present glitch of human ego?

It's the same as having wings

The other day I got to catch up with a great friend, a fellow "Peter Pan". He talked of how he's feeling that all too common pressure to grow up. He's started to worry about meeting someone, settling down - not because it's something he wants to do, but because society is telling him he should. I mean, we are nearly thirty.

I wanted to tell him to shrug it off, go your own way. A Peter Pan needs no more than to be happy and independent. I didn't get the chance to say these things; the subject took a different course too quickly as dreamed up travel plans and joked about how our friend-sets are getting younger and younger.

I blame that silly "Game of Life" board game. Do you remember it? The winner was the first person to tick off all the boxes - car, university, marriage, house, kids, grandkids. We're conditioned to believe it's the only direction. Isn't the human point of difference that we can think for ourselves and make decisions beyond basic instinct?

For a while now I've outwardly declared that I'm immature, in a humorous, self-deprecating demeanor of course but recently I've come to the realisation that this is not the case at all. Just because I'm not interested in "Game of Life" type success, does not mean I am not also progressing. If I must go it alone, then so be it and let that be my journey. That said, if you're also left cold by the idea of rugrats and mortgages? Call me, we could hang out.

Arts and crafts

Embroidery never sells a story in the fashion of a patterned quilt, and it pays to remember that plain linen can be just as charming.

Accidentally Kelly St

What if the path of the least resistance is the road less traveled? Competition is not so fierce when there is nobody else in the running.

You and whose Army?

When the going gets tough, it's back to basics. Kindness never fails me.

REM

There are stones best left unturned. They've always advised against waking sleeping giants.

Bouquet.

Smoke and mirrors might be prettier but it always comes undone.

Eagle Pickle

Bank heists, suicide pacts, balls of wool and Seagulls. This all adds up to one thing. A new season at the dream theatre.

Shrapnel

And let the guilt spree begin, shall shame rain down on those who do not donate enough time, effort, money.

It's a third world problem in a first world country. A country full of bigots, big-noters, and big time blame-gamers.

Are you left left red-faced and bratty for wanting to check out? Like, Totes Soz. Everyone is affected here, and everyone deals differently.

Fight or flight.

Soldiers at the wax museum. Best intentions all but frozen in fear.

Jo-Berg

I fear social unrest will ensue. I do hope that I am being melodramatic, caught up in the wave of emotion that is the Burnett River in all its destructive glory.

In the words of Bollo: I've got a bad feeling about this.

She's letting herself go!

Slackness personified is when I haven't yet posted my votes in Triple J's Hottest 100, despite the fact that the countdown has passed. The reason is partly this: I didn't actually vote. I know.

THE SHOCK! THE HORROR! ARE YOU ILL?!

Okay, in a grand gesture of friendship I prioritised a bestie's entry over my own. Can you believe it? Moral of the story: don't leave anything until the last minute and always account for daylight savings where necessary. Duh!

Anyway, should I have gotten my vote in, this was my final list...

Alpine - Softsides
Alt-J - Fitzpleasure
Deadmau5 - Fn Pig
Flight Facilities - Clair De Lune
Flume - On Top
Hermitude - HyperParadise
Ms Mr - Hurricane
Parachute Youth - Can't Get Better Than This
Porter Robinson - Language
Skrillex - Bangarang

And yes, 2012 was another spectacular year indeed. And I do endeavour to post a wrap up sometime soon as to the non-musical side of things. We'll get there!

Sticks and stones

Driving home along a mud-caked road and seeing an entire household of belongings out on the nature strip. Clothing beside kitchenware and children's toys, all piled atop living room furniture plastered in the same smelly river muck, blending in with the flood-stained suburban sidewalk. An unnecessary reminder that my newfound water views are ugliest thing I have seen.

Oh, Bundaberg. You did not fare so well under your most recent attack of the Burnett River. Honestly, who saw this coming?

It was something like living in a war zone. As I sat high and dry at the top of town - still with electricity, still safe and sound in my own home - I watched the news of disaster unfolding around me, endless water spilling over land below me, and black hawk helicopters cutting paths above me. It was almost surreal if it weren't for good friends, people I personally know having their lives torn apart by this evil course of nature. Everyday folk, left with nothing.

That said, I cannot help but contemplate how this could have been so tragically different. For if this was not a developed nation, entire suburbs could have (would have) drowned. People's material lives are in ruins, but for the most part mortality has been spared.

My thoughts are with those who were affected by this flood. And with those who have ever suffered at the cruel hands of natural disaster. Our beautiful, unstoppable planet.

Gumboots

Sometimes making a right mess of everything is the only way to properly clean up.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

Stepladders

Some things you can see, some things you can't. It's all about line of sight. If you're not finding what you're looking for, change your perspective.