Nick Cave

This guy started putting out music almost 30 years ago and is still one of the few consistant crazy people out there. For me Mr. Cave is best described as part hellfire preacher, part Evlis (in strange Vegas mode) and part balladeer. His lyrics drench themselves in Biblical imagery and it is never clear whether he is trying to save souls or destroy them. He is backed by the Bad Seeds - a powerful band of misfits led by Mick Harvey (featuring Warren Ellis, also of the Dirty Three - more soul destruction). Thankyou Mr. Cave for making life interesting.

Auburn

I live on the lower North shore and in the past few years it has dawned on me that I have staked a fairly clear territorial boundary for myself. I realise now that this boundary is causing me to miss out on some of the greatest experiences Sydney has to offer.

I am currently eating the best roast pork in the world. The taste is byond belief. I have just eaten a whole tub of it... next in line is the tub of roast duck. Followed closely by the Turkish delight, Vietnamese pork buns and topped with a Turkish coffee. I have just returned from a very interesting trip to Auburn, yet another enclave in Sydney's sprawling west.


A mosque in Auburn, Sydney

Mum has been pushing for me to go visit this suburb for a while now. For years she has been coming home with amazing meat and vege discoveries and thought that it was time to share the experience. They say that 70% of Auburn were either born overseas or speak english as a second language, from what I saw it looked more like 98%. Vietnamese, Cambodians, Sudanese, Lebanese, Chinese, Turks and Koreans live side by side, the cultures blending together into the free flowing vibe that Australia prides itself on. The shops, lined up next to each other, were an amazing array of sights and sounds.

We stopped by the Lebanese bakery to buy some afternoon munchies, then via the Chinese butcher to buy meat chunks, followed by the Vietnamese shop to buy hunks of succulant duck and pork (all gone now). However, my pick of the day was the sugar cane juice. The only other time I have had this nectar of the gods was in Cairo... and here it was again... sitting innocently on a small street in Auburn. So sweet, so good.

It was watching the groups of people mix that made the experience so interesting. Watching groups of Sudanese men sit and drink coffee, chatting away in their dialect, next to another group of Lebanese mothers, each with their toddler and head scarf showed me the side of Australia that we are aiming for, and one that I had begun to question in since Cronulla.

Another thing struck me: could it be that it is not Australia that is providing the multicultural environment but rather these people, the ones in these pockets of society, that provide the wealth of culture we enjoy around us. Somehow I have this nagging feeling that it is not white, anglo Australia that is making this country so interesting. Food for thought...

I have finished the pork and am now about to nail this here tub-o-duck.

A great posting from Nicole

Something Nicole posted on her blog. It is pink, it is exuberant and exciting… and most importantly – true. Nicole’s posting is about the joys of realising you are in that awesome bi-point where you know that for every ounce you give you receive it straight back in a different form.

despite having a blog I am also technically inept, so no hyperlink magic today, just good old fashioned cut and paste
http://nickychicky.nomadlife.org/2006/04/and-then-you-have-emphipany.aspx

A powerful experience...

okay, this is going completely against my 'be positive/things can't be that bad' nature: yes they can, I have proof. I hold in my hand Tuno Negro. Now I'm a big fan of all things Spanish language related, from music and art to dictators and border disbutes, I find everything to do with the language interesting (except soccer), this movie in particular was so awesomely powerful that I could not let it slip by.

The premise is: a person is using an old timey legend as a reason to kill students at universities around Spain (cue: Urban Legend), they wear a mask and disguish themselves as part of a frat group that dress up like Minstrils (cue: Scream 2). Here's the twist: they are killing the students that GET THE LOWEST MARKS AT THE UNI because... EDUCATION IS A PRIVILAGE NOT A RIGHT AND SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. Sweet!! This movie is awesome, I'll keep going. Actually no, I will stop. Watching this movie was a bit like watching... Ed Wood. This movie should be watched with an immense dose of irony (and an even larger dose of 'this movie is not as shite as it appears' style drugs). It was a bit like a car wreck, I just couldn't stop watching.

ten good things about this week

okay, this week is a touch shorter... it's more like the last four days, but I am going to do this on a Friday otherwise all I talk about is the weekend.

1) A super efficient work week. Could have been because there was only one other person in the office and EVERYONE in the country is tied up with conferences (ie no emails or phone calls) but this week was amazingly effective. It felt good, great in fact to get things done.

2) Learning the chart function in word - hey, I am counting the small joys here.

3) Kyle comes home in 3 sleeps.

4) Caught up with Brett Hoffman, Tristan and Bubba and went on up to NSW state conference for an evening. Good to see the goings on there.

5) Read chunks of my book, I like making progress.

6) Had the chance to speak with the guys in Qatar and ask a lot more questions.

7) learnt how to cook the best spag bol since the dawn of time - secret ingredient is Tabasco sauce. Mum also showed me how to make salad dressing... yep, cool aye, notice that I didn't include that as a separate point. Salad dressing is lame.

8) I am now in full possession of an external hard drive.

9) I have been listening to new albums by a) The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, b) Rodrigo y Gabriel, c) Atmosphere, d) Blackalicious, e) DJ Krush and so on and so forth...

10) Could it be true... could a new Tool album be coming out in the near future? Five years have passed, the standard Tool waiting time.

... on a sour note: this is my last weekend using Kyle's Mac. I have grown to like em. I can now write on my CV that I can handle a mac, I'm going to miss that whole 'no right button' thing.

that ends this another in a series of self indulgent posts.

Note to self... gigs ahoy

I was having a look through some of my favourite venues tonight and I started coming across an amazing array of gigs in the coming two months. Either they have always been on and now i am getting nostalgic or I have hit pay dirt... here goes:

01) RODRIGO Y GABRIELA, Thursday 20th of April, @ Newtown ($40+)
02) Further and Six Foot Hick, Friday 21st of April, Annandale ($12)
03) Darren Hanlon, Friday 21st of April, @ newtown ($15+)
04) The Whitlams, 28th/29th/30th(Dee Why RSL) of April, Metro Theatre ($28)
05) Augie March - 28th, 29th of April or 1st of May, @ Newtown ($20+)
06) The Porkers and Mach Pelican, Friday 5th of May, Annandale ($12)
07) DJ Hyper and Kid Kenobi - Friday 12th of May, Home Nightclub ($25)
08) Ben Harper - Tuesday 16th of May, Entertainment Centre, ($$$)
09) Low - Thursday 1st of June (Annandale) Friday 2nd of June (@ Newtown) ($37+)
10) We Love Sounds - 11th of June, Hordern Pavillion ($$$)

one venue i wish would have have a site: The Hopetoun Hotel... oh well... I guess that's why they are so cool.

this post is more of a 'note to self' rather than a 'note to everyone else'.

Jenga champion

I forgot to mention that I am now the un-official Giant Jenga champion of Australia, possibly the world. Jenga has been a passsion of mine for some time now... I have played three games in the last 23 years. I was pleasantly surprised to find 'giant' Jenga at the conference site in Adelaide. After a solid battle, I retired undefeated... then hid the blocks so that no one else could play (or rather, suggested everyone head off to plenary to be on time for the next session). I was thinking of changing my business cards to include the accolade: 'Giant Jenga Champion'... what do you think?

Eyes on Iran

'hey Mum and Dad, I'm on TV'... rising tensions with Iran... woot. It is a little nerve racking to read about how events have been turning regarding Iran and US threats of military action. Don't get me wrong, I am in no way surprised, it has been headed this way for sometime now. What I am nervous about are a) Iran's 'one storm' comments on Israel and b) US engaging in a second war in the region without finishing their first in Iraq.

I can't believe they are even considering entering into a second war given the mess that came out of the first, but is Iran giving them many options. Iran's comments do nothing to calm the nerves. It is a strange feeling to know that Iran is a stones throw from my soon-to-be home of Qatar. One to keep an eye on... hopefully I will never get to say: 'hey Mum and Dad, I'm on TV'

10 things about last week

Ten best things about last week:

1) Kyle: only seven sleeps till Kyle is back. Her conference in Afghanistan seems to be a success, three newspapers and three TV stations are covering it. Companies are duking it out for speaking positions, the conference is extremely relevant, running at a profit, has drawn the president of AIESEC global as a speaker... Kyle, you're the best. Seven sleeps.

2) having the SA RB (and their EBs) handle their state conference with skill. As a coach there is nothing better than seeing others do well.

3) Golf at Bondi: great views, we were good at our game (by our standards),

4) Beer Pong: new drinking games, love em. Cheers Romaldo.

5) Catching my flights, shouldn't be considered a success but this time it was.

6) Return of the chilly powder: care of Bryson... bought back so many memories, and so much pain.

7) Playing guitar on the train platform waiting for my train to arrive - there is something about playing in public that is rewarding, especially when someone, just one person, said 'thanks'... was not expecting that at all.

8) Meeting new AIESEC members, its cool to hear from people that are new to the organisation, they bring new ideas and fresh perspectives. Great people.

9) Drawing up a list of things I need to do before I leave... it is up to about 50+... I laughed when I looked at it... booking a flight was only number 39... priorities.

10) Going to the rugby with my folks. It is great doing these family activities, plus we won, big time. A great night out

Warratahs vs Brumbies

Warratahs vs Brumbies
Originally uploaded by jrwestgarth.

Tahs won: 37-14. It was pretty much the whole Australia team playing each other: Whitaker, Waugh, Baxter, Dunning, Lyons, Rogers, Sailor, Tuqiri, Vickerman, Mortlock, Gerrard, Giteau, Gregan, Jeremy Paul, Rathbone, George smith, Bill Young... that's 17 first grad players... looking at the list makes me wonder if Queensland has any players at all in the Australian side.

Golf at Bondi

Golf at Bondi
Originally uploaded by jrwestgarth.

How could you not like this course. I reckon we did pretty well. Ralph nerded it up with the 'club of power' (although he sometimes lacked the 'cap of direction' and the 'boots of agility'). Great course, looking out over Bondi beach. I'm happy to say that I have gotten a touch better, this is now my second game this year...

AIESEC South Australia regional board

AIESEC South Australia regional board
Originally uploaded by jrwestgarth.

Anne, Kate, James and me.

Anne's house

Anne's house
Originally uploaded by jrwestgarth.

This is the view about four meters out the back of Anne's house. I am still taken by the sun setting over water. Something to do with spending 23 years living on the east coast.

New things...

Thoughts for the moment:

a) Moving to the other side of the world because people walk on the other side of the footpath and walk past each other on the right. I understand the concept of 'challenging myself' but screw that. It is weird, I keep running into people and it leads to awkward moments. When two people are looking to walk into each other they should avoid the situation by walking on the left

b) Gorillavsbear blog: the name alone ROCKS. The site is full of engagingly nerdy alt rock.

c) Giant Pandas: there is no better way to waste time than watching LIVE panda action

d) Best of 2005 radio: this one was pure gold. It is 52 awesome songs from last year. My favourites are: 04. MC Lars - Mr. Raven, 33. Damien Marley - Welcome to Jamrock, 42. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy, 45. Iggy Pop - Passenger

Tom Waits

There is something about Tom Waits that makes me want to drink scotch from a cracked glass and smash white goods with a metal pipe. Junkyard percussion, freeform jazz, and homeless old man ranting is his thing. Mr Waits: thankyou for keeping life interesting.

Another week - over and out

Yep, another week has slipped by. When I sat down to write about the weekend I overlooked the fact that i was in poland this time last week. The last seven days included: one day in Krakow, one in Prague, two on a plane, two in the office and a weekend.

The weekend was cool. Managed to pack in quite a bit. Family BBQs, the beach, a community festival, dinner with friends, a great band. Then read the paper, practiced golf and a bit of work on Sunday. The beach was awesome. Freshwater again. It was overcast and grey but the water was warm. The water was choppy, with a great rip and there were only four of us out there but I loved it all the same. There is something about standing out in the surf, watching the waves roll in... something fierce and powerful about nature. Plus it was the perfect opportunity to then go for a few schooners at the local. That night it was off to the Annandale to see The Drones play to a packed out crowd. The Annandale is the awesome, dingy, epi centre of indie rock in Sydney. The Drones are a Melbourne band that play live wire pubrock/blues, a touch manic, loud, fast, frantic... loved it.

Something I have been thinking about of late is an excerise that asks you to write down the ten best things about the last week. it sounds a touch cheesey but in a way it is kind of cool. By the time Friday arrives I am pretty happy for a weekend... by the time the weekend is over I have normally forgotten what i did last monday... In a way it is an excercise to help slow the relentless march of time. Its about ten weeks till I head off to Qatar... time to see if I can pack 100 great moments in between now and then.