the yellow house in the U

Benedict House

2012-02-05T18:30:00.000+11:00

A little bit of country charm very close to our nations capital. A relaxing afternoon lunch in the courtyard at Benedict House, watching two silly dogs chasing shadows and little birdy building nests in the ground. That's how the nature rolls in Queanbeyan town. Lunch was corned beef and a glass of ginger beer - just like I'd have at my grandmothers if she was Australian I guess....as it turns out would be more like almdudler and schnitzel, but I'm using my imagination here. My gypsy friend ate a spinach filo thing and said it tasty, like something her mum would make and be proud of.

Inside the house there are rooms with bits of handmade stuff for sale - dare I say it is a little on the craft side, but you know, whatever floats your boat. I be going back one day to try the afternoon high tea.

Vietnamese rolls

2012-02-01T22:35:00.001+11:00

Small obsession with making Vietnamese inspired rolls. Chicken poached in buttermilk, dressed in fish sauce, lime, chilli and palm sugar.

Slinking around the studio

2012-01-31T22:32:00.002+11:00

Top 100 - Hangin' Tough, New Kids On The Block # 8

2012-01-29T22:50:00.000+11:00

Story by Felicity

My song is 'Hangin' Tough' by new Kids on the Block. I asked for the cassette for Christmas when I was 12. A cassette-shaped package was put under the tree a couple of weeks before christmas and I was sooo excited that I couldn't stand the possibility it could be something else. So I got out of bed one night after everyone was asleep and carefully peeled off the sticky tape to check what it was. It was Hangin' Tough! I could barely wait til Christmas! On Christmas day I was still just as excited as if it had been a complete surprise!

Artwork by Karin

Shabooh Shoobah

2012-01-27T19:42:00.000+11:00

So, here I am on a Friday night all geared up to do work on my Top 100 exhibition...drink poured, music on - and now for the irony.

I bought Shabooh Shoobah last week from the record man at Bus Depot Markets, and that's what I decided to put on. In the first 10 seconds I was taken back to I don't know how many years ago....as a teenager in the back of a car somewhere in Germany, driving back to a little town in the Austrian Alps. And I remembered. On that trip I had a tape - I think it must have been a mixed tape I'd made myself, and as soon as track two came on I was sitting in a car, driving on a highway, past flat and empty fields.

I was probably wishing I was somewhere else, or maybe not. I would have been daydreaming, that much is for sure and I'd say I was wearing some sort of pastel coloured penguin shirt with matching plastic coloured bangles. The coolest kid on that German highway.

Three wrongs...

2012-01-26T21:43:00.002+11:00

Expensive, fake and ugly.

Protecting the perimeter

2012-01-23T22:39:00.000+11:00

Twelve years ago, we moved to Canberra, and around that time Barney was taught to 'get the birds'.

Sometimes I regret that.

Music of 2011

2012-01-23T00:03:00.000+11:00

Okay - I thought 2011 was a pretty crap year for music. One mixed CD later and I stand corrected. My friends who write about music much better than I do, should write about all these songs...I'm just going to list the songs and link to my favourites. But before that - how good is getting a mixed CD? I used to love making mixed tapes and I usually make a new playlist for different trips, dinner parties and get togethers. But CD's are fun, so I'm going to say that 2012 is going to be the year of the mixed ~~tape~~ CD.

1. Jay-Z and Kanye with Otis Reading. I guess I got my swagger back, that is a fricking understatement!

2. Adele - Rolling In The Deep. I don't actually know what Adele looks like, but I want to imagine platinum blond hair, dark eyeliner and 1960's style tops with pussycat bows. And that's what this song sounds like.
3. Black Keys - Lonely Boy. The biggest sounding two piece band there ever was.

4. Kelly Clarkson - Mr Know It All. I have to pass on this one.
5. Lykke Li - Youth Knows No Pain. My friend Taffy Bubblegum gave me this CD sometime last year, and I didn't really listen to it much. I think Lykke Li would definitely go shopping with Adele for pussycat bow tops.
6. Tom Waits - Chicago.Tom Waits belongs in the Iggy Pop school of 'how the fuck am I still alive?'
7. Anna Calvi - Desire. Who is Anna Calvi and is she related to PJ Harvey?
8. Cold War Kids - Royal Blue. Lots of places in the song to clap. Gotta like that.
9. Gotye - Somebody I Used To Know. 2nd pass.
10.Florence and the Machine - Shake It Out. I suspect Florence hangs out with Adele and Lykke Li. They have different musical influences, but they're still all friends. I think they go op shopping on Saturdays, then go drink tea out of vintage limoges tea cups.
11.Kanye West - Made It In America. Sweet baby jesus.
12.Gillian Welch - Way It Goes. This is a lovely song. Actually lovely probably isn't the right description when you listen to the lyrics...
13. Wilco - Open Mind. I'm kind of scared to write anything about Wilco.
14. Ryan Adams - Ashes and Fire. I've managed to avoid Ryan Adams. I've now been cajoled into listening... I really like this song. Ryan Adams reminds me of that guy from the movie Once.
15. PJ Harvey - Last Living Rose. PJ is a poet. Amazing.

16. Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers. This was played on the radio a lot. Smoky voice, catchy chorus.
17. Tom Waits - Hell Broke Luce. The best Tom Waits song ever. Left, right, left.

18. Wilco - Capital City. This is a really sweet song. Are these guys the Beatles reincarnate?
19. Avril Lavine - What The Hell. Dance around in your lounge room to Avril. What? What? What? What the hell? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Karaoke anyone?

Starting to dislike cockatoos

2012-01-19T20:46:00.000+11:00

A lot....

Etched ponies

2012-01-18T19:40:00.000+11:00

I saw these before Christmas time, when my Bad Episode of the Good Life friend was visiting from Bowral. I so wanted to buy them, but just didn't need glasses. Somewhere between now and then I decided I DID very much need glasses. Especially etched pony ones. Luckily they were still there. From Canberra Antique Centre, which is an excellent shop. When I fall into a bucket of money I'm going to buy all my shiz there. 37 Townsville Street Fyshwick.

Bike ride

2012-01-17T20:35:00.000+11:00

Today I went for a bike ride in the fading afternoon sun. I went past the old railway, and down by the glassworks and through the park I try to avoid. The one with all the cherry blossoms. I followed the lake with the breeze at my back and took a turn to the right down the big avenue - the one with all the galleries and green canopy of trees. The rose gardens in the sun, and a left, and then all of a sudden back at that place we drove to one night. You said it was a party with friends of work friends and that I couldn't come. If I were honest with myself, on that night, there was a sinking feeling that all wasn't right. But I was stuck - damned if I did and damned if I didn't.

For whatever reason, the rest of the ride was filled with different places - like where the car was parked over night when it should have been home, and the empty morning walks down Wentworth Avenue. Early Sunday mornings, just with the dog who couldn't understand why I was crying. Thank god for sunglasses.

None of it matters now, but its funny how all those places are always there, and I don't think or mind them - and they don't mind me. Except for today.

Sunday morning

2012-01-16T20:39:00.000+11:00

It's been weird times over here in the yellow house. Too much time to think, not enough time to think. But Sunday was just right. No thinking - just tea, mooching with the dog, lunching with friends and then not much else. Heater on in summer and big dreams on the couch while the dog had running dreams on the floor...his little legs all kicking between snores. I've been chasing birds, and chasing smiles, but found them both on a quiet Sunday.

Rainbow Connection

2012-01-14T16:50:00.000+11:00

China Doll

2012-01-12T18:44:00.000+11:00

Guest review of China Doll Sydney. I did ask permission to post this and she was happy for me to. I love it and kinda wish more restaurant reviews were like this. I'm also really envious that my mum went to this restaurant before I could:

We had ,Pork San chow bow ,Duck pancakes ,Grilled Asparagus with Black beans .B B Q butterflied Prawns ,Steamed Coral trout with Snow peas and Bok joy , Bandang Lamb Curry and Jasmine Rice. The Waitress asked if we were very hungry .She suggested to have a half portion of the Curry .She was right, we had plenty .Everything was just beautiful ,plenty of water and Bernie ordered a nice bottle of Chardonnay ,Len had some Sorbet and Bernie had a Chocolate pudding with drunken Cherries .I think he was a bit disappointed because it looked like The Custard I make.

China Doll Woolloomooloo Wharf, Sydney

Perfect sky

2012-01-10T23:43:00.000+11:00

Have you ever?

2012-01-09T23:01:00.000+11:00

Meet Hugo. He is like a human but is really a 70 kilo dog.

The Women on the 6th Floor

2012-01-08T22:25:00.000+11:00

I'm going to start writing about every time I see a film. Why? Because I think I'm either getting stupider or forgetful, and I have (it appears) no ability to remember films I've seen, no matter how recent. I had to check back on my own blog to remind me of a film I saw only a few months ago*. Sadly I didn't write a post about it - so here is where we are right now. Writing a post about a movie so when I forget it in two months I can check my blog before driving myself mad.

So the movie - it's a nice film. Kinda freaked me out in bits. It's really about why you shouldn't judge but you can't help judging! It's a nice story though, and I hadn't read about it anywhere - so the date it was supposed to be set did keep me guessing for a while but if you know when Franco was around til, you'll figure it out. I'd recommend it if you want to see a happy, light film. Just don't go see it with your weird, overly attentive, aging boss.

*Even now I've forgotten the name again of that bloody movie (checking google...crazy stupid love! Great film btw)

Like a bad episode of the good life

2012-01-04T22:47:00.000+11:00

Do you know how hard it is to get four chickens into a chicken coup? Hard for us city slickers...well two ex city slickers and me. One of the ex city slickers even talked about what will happen to the hens once they finish laying. I'd prefer to think of them just hanging around and dying of old age eventually. Sure you will probably end up with 24 chickens if you want to have a continual set of laying hens, but the yards big enough!

T.G.T Osaka Japan

2012-01-02T13:33:00.000+11:00

The most beautiful item in my house right now...anyone have ideas for mini drinks? I'm thinking limoncello on ice.

New Years

2012-01-01T11:06:00.000+11:00

Perfect eve of new years day spent with friends in the country, followed by 167 k's drive where all I spotted was a fox, ute, two trucks, a car and a van towing a trailer.

Home in time to watch fireworks, and to ring in the new year with my fur friend. It was so nice to be sitting in my yellow house, listening to records, and making a good start to 2012. I think this year will be okay, hope it is for you all too.

Who knew...Christmas can be tasteful!

2012-01-01T10:51:00.000+11:00

Exchanging gifts in the Southern Highlands.

Little mini fur pigs

2011-12-31T16:51:00.000+11:00

Why didn't anyone tell me how cutes these little critters are?

Most glamourous pulses...

2011-12-30T19:50:00.000+11:00

Belcompton by the beach

2011-12-29T19:58:00.000+11:00

Salted brown butter biscuits

2011-12-28T18:11:00.000+11:00

I spent all christmas calling these salted caramel biscuits. Turns out I was wrong. Maybe it was all the butter going to my head - because I just can't stop eating these biscuits... which is okay because they cover about 1 food group - dairy, oh and energy (is that a food group?). Recipe found by chance from here: Best biscuits ever.

Here is the recipe as modified by me.
Ingredients
250 grams unsalted butter
130 grams dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla bean paste
350 grams plain flour
2 teaspoons Fleur de Sel de Guérande or Murray River Salt

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180℃. Line 2 large baking sheets with baking paper.

~~Cut the butter into pieces and~~ Place butter in a saucepan over a low heat. Melt the butter and cook until it starts to brown and gives off a warm, nutty aroma. Stir from time to time to make sure the butter browns evenly. Remove from the heat and pour into a large bowl. Set aside to cool slightly ~~and then refrigerate until it starts to set again but is not too firm~~.

Add the sugar and vanilla to the browned butter and whisk or beat until very light and fluffy and the sugar is dissolved.

Finally, add the flour and salt and mix to form a soft dough. Refrigerate for 30 minutes (don't go any longer - I did and ended up with cement like discs)

Roll out the pastry to about 4mm thickness and cut into cookies using your favourite cookie cutter. Place the cookies on the baking sheets and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Prior to baking, lightly sprinkle a little extra Fleur de Sel de Guérande or other salt on each cookie. ~~You can lightly press the salt into the cookie to make sure it adheres to the dough properly but do this gently.~~ Bake the cookies for about 10 – 12 minutes. ~~You may need to rotate the sheets half way through baking to make sure they brown evenly.~~ They will be a golden colour when cooked. Remove from the oven and leave the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Homemade soft flour tortillas

2011-12-27T17:42:00.000+11:00

I used a mix of wholemeal and white flour:

3 cups self raising flour

1 cup milk

5 tablespoons olive oil

Extra flour for rolling

Mix the ingredients in a bowl, and roll little balls of dough - about the size of a peach

Put some flour on a board and roll out your thin tortillas. Cook on a non stick fry pan - about 40 seconds each side.

Eat.

Christmas #3

2011-12-26T12:09:00.004+11:00

I usually have a third Christmas on boxing day with my brother, sister in law and Frank. This year we'll miss this dude.

Before and after - christmas lights

2011-12-26T00:28:00.001+11:00

Merry christmas!

2011-12-24T13:40:00.000+11:00

BIKE!

2011-12-20T21:49:00.001+11:00

I was given a bike for my birthday, well 80% of a bike, in a big big box.

A friend of mine helped me put it together of a few lunch breaks, and now I'm part of a rad bike gang.

For the ladies...

2011-12-19T18:18:00.000+11:00

The Fighting League Album Launch

2011-12-18T17:25:00.000+11:00

Last night The Fighting League launched their album Tropical Paradise at the Phoenix in Canberra. The clips are shot on a super 8 which I then treated to look like they were shot on a sony cybershot without any lighting. Maybe watch the videos with your eyes closed. First is Assassins 88 supported covering the Fighting League (She Takes Medicine). The second one is The Fighting League covering Bruce Springsteen.

It's hard when friends break up with you

2011-12-15T22:28:00.000+11:00

I gave this to someone who doesn't like to hang around with me no more. I hope she still likes hanging around with deery lou.

Seasons somethings

2011-12-11T11:31:00.000+11:00

So I tried to get into the spirit of the holiday season and I put up my tree. Well a tree. Well a series of copied bits of paper to represent a tree. I showed it to the gypsy girl in London, who pointed out that while I was trying to get into the holiday spirit, I had placed my christmas tree where it would be completely blocked due to the placement of my front door. I could move it....but I probably won't.

Elvis is not a noob, but sometimes I am

2011-12-08T22:29:00.000+11:00

I'm thinking of entering the art competition as part of the Elvis Festival held at Parkes. This is where I would normally include the link, but I'm doing this one on the fly and you may have observed, posts have been a bit infrequent of late for a number of reasons for which I won't bore you. Geez after all that I could have just linked....What a *noob!

So thinking about my awesome Elvis artwork, I remembered a previous drawing that is too hideous not to share. I believe it was around year 9 in high school...picture with dog is purely to indicate scale.

* noob is my new favourite word courtesy of a non noob work friend. It means noob.

Belcompton at its finest

2011-12-06T21:24:00.000+11:00

Sunday afternoon bargains at Fyshwick Food Markets

2011-12-05T21:24:00.000+11:00

Porn for women

2011-12-04T20:00:00.000+11:00

Crushless

2011-12-04T00:18:00.000+11:00

I had dinner with the Russian gypsy last night. This shouldn't get confused with the other two gypsy friends I have, because this third one is a real gypsy.

Anyway we were talking about crushes, and you know...I have not had a solid crush since the Belgium...actually that is a lie because there was one other crush but we don't talk about him (Taffy Bubblegum especially does not talk about him). Taffy performed valiantly as a wing man on that one, but it just wasn't meant to be.

So as we were swapping crush stories, it became apparent that she had no idea about the Belgium. Which is odd, because nearly all my friends at some stage have gone to Fyshwick Markets so that they could see the Belgium. Have I ever told you about the Belgium? Worlds most misdirected crush. The Belgium and I flirted madly over deli items for months. Spoke in German from time to time...talked about food and truffle infused cheese. Turned out he lived around the corner from the yellow house, and he would ride past my house on his rickedy bike...oh heart be still. Then, as a result of some sleuthing, it was discovered the Belgium is gay. A nice gay man who likes to be charming. Damn you Belgium!

It is sad to be crushless, so the Russian is hell bent on finding me one - though after her story I'm not to sure. It went like this. "I had a crush on a man for weeks, and then one day I put on my glasses and it turns out he was old".

Top 100 - Be Mine, Robyn # 7

2011-11-28T22:04:00.002+11:00

Story by Anon

I love this song. In fact I love this whole album. I listened to the album a lot for basically my entire HSC year. The album and song have a certain amount of specialness on that basis alone, Year 12 is a good year.

But that's not the end. There's a girl (there's always a girl, isn't there?).

This girl was pretty special. We went to primary school together, I guess I had a little crush on her even then. We were friends in primary school, for as much as that means. But things happen. I hadn't seen her between Year 6 and Year 11 and then happened to stumble upon her at the end of Year 11 at a train station.

I was getting on the train back to school, she was picking a friend up from the station. She'd just been named School Captain, I was on my way back to be be named prefect (a rank lower than school captain, but my school was better so let's call it even).I was wearing a uniform with blazer, she was wearing a flowery dress. I was pretty excited to be honest. We chatted. It was nice.

For some reason it didn't occur to us to swap phone numbers. Like six months later or thereabouts we 'friended' on Bebo. Then we reconnected in earnest. Chatting heaps, texting, whatever it is that teens do on their various forms of social media.

We then met up in the last holidays of Year 12. Our first meeting was at some temporary ice skating ring (why it was there I will never know). It was rad. We hung out heaps, cruising around as 18 year olds do. Went to gigs, parties etc.

Went back to school for the final bit. Then, post HSC, we spent a lot of time together. Almost everyday we'd be hanging out. We'd be out 4 or 5 nights a week. We played pool regularly during the day, there were a lot of parties on. I don't know exactly what we did, but there was a lot of it. Yeah we were pretty tight there for a while.

I guess I played the role of 'best male friend who wishes it was more than that' to cliched perfection. I could never work out if she was 'interested' in me or not. And I really did find her friendship to be very important and didn't want to fuck anything up.

She drove five hours with me to go to a New Year's / 21st party in Wellington. We hooked up that night. In that most innocent of ways - we kissed.

She was moving to Melbourne like one week later, I was also moving a couple of weeks later. Nothing eventuated. We never even talked about it again.We kept in contact for a while after moving. Initially a lot. When I realised that Robyn was coming to Australia I was crazy excited. We went to the gig together in Melbourne.

This is where the song comes back in.

It was a pretty small venue, absolutely packed, with my then favourite artist playing, hangin' with one of my favourite people. So that was a pretty good moment. But at this point I'd pretty much come to terms with 'us' as not going to happen. And Robyn played Be Mine. I loved this song.

I'm not one who listens to lyrics that closely, so having reviewed them prior to writing this it seems I was probably desperately clinging to any sense of relevancy, but if you extract just a few lines, as 18 year old me did in his mind, it certainly seemed pertinent:

Just a sweet pain of watching your back as you walk away / As I'm watching you walk away...There's a moment to seize every time that we meet / But you always keep passing me by / But you never were and you never will Be Mine.

When I hear this song I still think about her a bit. Not a vivid specific memory. More conceptual.

Artwork by Karin

Tropical Punk

2011-11-28T18:59:00.000+11:00

It's true. Tropical Punk hits JJJ. Read how the Fighting League began their band as they saw a major need for society to understand the full consequences of sexual driven tropical PUNKS...all from Canberra the tropical capital of the entire world. The Fighting League, Triple J unearthed artist of the week:

All horsies go to heaven

2011-11-26T18:09:00.000+11:00

A little while ago my friends horse died, and on that day I walked past my fridge and spied this little painting I did a few years ago. I meant to post it earlier for my gypsy friend and her horse....but here it is now.

Before and after - vegetable garden

2011-11-21T18:13:00.000+11:00

Top 100 - Smells Like Teen Spirit, Nirvana # 6

2011-11-20T21:59:00.001+11:00

Story by Alex

My first ever surf trip we camped on the beach at Bicheno. It was cold, it rained, the tide washed away our stuff while we were asleep, the campfire burnt down our tent and sleeping bags ... and we listened to Nirvana and drank vodka to keep warm.

Artwork by Karin

Bill Cunningham - New York

2011-11-20T18:27:00.000+11:00

Do you know anything about Bill Cunningham? I didn't, and my goodness what a story about a wonderful, gentle, inspiring and generous man. Credit to Richard Press who captured Bill with the sensitivity he deserves. A wonderful documentary - go see it at the cinema for this film is a thing of beauty.

Balloons and confetti make me happy

2011-11-19T18:34:00.001+11:00

Who cares that it was like the gig in 2009. I could see this show once a year for the rest of my life and be mesmerised with happiness each and every time. Such a thing of beauty, the sky raining with colour, and beautiful lyrics filling the air. The Flaming Lips are generous, creative souls and there is a lot to be said for spending your life making people happy.

Do You Realize - that happiness makes you cry

Do You Realize - that everyone you know someday will die

And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun don'-go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round

Reminds me of Sydney and Californian coast all at once

2011-11-18T22:14:00.002+11:00

Sunny days in Sydney town

2011-11-17T23:04:00.000+11:00

The hippest cats at Harvest

2011-11-14T21:57:00.000+11:00

Two wrongs...

2011-11-14T00:33:00.000+11:00

Don't make a right

Nearly 52 books in 52 weeks

2011-11-09T20:33:00.001+11:00

Would you believe I came so close to doing this, but because I was so dedicated to hitting the target I just didn't have time to write about it...True!! I did get 3 books finished and 49 partway finished. In addition to this I read lonely planet guides to the Philippines, Turkey, and India. I also read 3 cookbooks, and a design book about sheds. Aside from books I have read 43 blogs regularly, so I believe folks, by my calculation this exceeds the original target. Success!

Drive

2011-11-08T23:47:00.000+11:00

Like Goodfellas, but with more driving.

Attack The Block

2011-11-07T17:48:00.000+11:00

Taffy Bubblegum suggested this film (he was planning tickets to surprise his girl), and I'd managed to not go to the other three films I'd planned to as part of the Canberra film festival - so along I went with. Attack The Block was funny, scary, cringeworthy and had a great original soundtrack. I felt sad for the dog. Go see it.

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless

2011-11-06T19:44:00.000+11:00

The internet tells me this album turned 20 yesterday. Flip.

Top 100 - Everybody wants to rule the world, Tears For Fears # 5

2011-11-05T17:27:00.001+11:00

Story by Daniel

There were a lot of good songs in 1985. That was the year that I left home for university (those who know me may be surprised that I'm actually that old), and living semi-independently on campus at ANU. It was one of those self-catering residential colleges with a huge communal kitchen and dining area. The kitchens were grouped in bays of 12 lockers where students stored their pots and pans, crockery and foodstuffs, sharing two stoves and a fridge. Some of the bays had those cheap radios that were always turned on, often to commercial stations 2CC or 2CA for the music (and in those days, on AM channels). Everybody Wants to Rule the World was a huge hit for Tears for Fears in 1985, reaching number two in Australia. The song could often be heard from some corner of the kitchens.

The first couple of bars of the song starts off with a distinctive guitar riff followed by an equally distinctive drumming before launching into vocals by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, "Welcome to your life, there's no turning back..." That summed up living independently and away from home for the first time. Young, naive and with a lot to learn, we all thought we wanted to rule the world...

Artwork by Karin

The Canvas Project: a visual encyclopedia

2011-11-01T21:26:00.001+11:00

Remember the Canvas Project ? It was where artists from all over the world were sent 3 canvases and 3 words. The aim was to create a visual encyclopedia. The catalogue arrived today, which I wasn't expecting - and is a fantastic a - z of works and words. I'm on page 46...h for hands-on.

Walk...check...walk....check

2011-10-31T22:24:00.000+11:00

While the dog of the yellow house is always a few steps ahead of the pack, he always...and without fail, turns his head to check I'm okay. He does it every 3 meters or so. I love that about him.

I'm conscious a pet octopus would never do that. So that makes dogs better than octopi.

3 Seeds at Fyshwick Markets

2011-10-30T12:15:00.000+11:00

Had an amazing lunch at 3 seeds a few weeks ago. The chef put this selection together, which I have to say is my favourite way to eat - little bits of everything. The platter was full of surprises - particularly the beetroot, I'm not sure how to describe it...cold souffle? Anyway, I'm not doing a great job selling the experience so just go try for yourself. Upstairs at Fyshwick Markets.

Tunnel art

2011-10-27T22:42:00.000+11:00

For nearly 11 years I driven over this tunnel without knowing it ever existed.

Setting the table

2011-10-26T21:20:00.002+11:00

Lost

2011-10-25T23:09:00.001+11:00

The crumble was ordinary but the ice-cream was good‏

2011-10-24T20:54:00.000+11:00

Lanterns at the Nara festival

2011-10-23T19:42:00.002+11:00

Favourite wishes - Nara festival

2011-10-22T21:46:00.000+11:00

Top 100 - Supersonic, Oasis #4

2011-10-20T22:27:00.000+11:00

Story by Brendan

When I was 17, I put this song on every Saturday night, just before I went out. It put me in the right mood with its pumping beat. Going to parties was daunting but necessary at that age. So many people, so many girls to try and impress.

This song was more than about getting pumped up though. It was about adopting a particular persona. I was desperate to be aloof and intriguing. “My friend says he’ll take you home; sits in a corner all alone”. Unfortunately, my efforts at constructing a different persona could not withstand the effects of a few beers, and the real me, which is less the intense loner of the song and more an opinionated bad dancer, would shortly emerge. It took a couple of years to realize, but fortunately for me, girls aren’t as into aloof and intriguing as adolescent indie boys might think (that said, they’re not all that into opinionated bad dancers either…).

Artwork by Karin

Little dog - big park

2011-10-19T21:42:00.000+11:00

View from the blog 6432 miles away

2011-10-18T22:04:00.001+11:00

Sunday afternoon staring at the sky

2011-10-16T18:22:00.001+11:00

Don't you love lying on warm concrete? Like a great big electric blanket. The sun on your face, and the breeze...just slight and in the background. Daydreaming and squinting at the coloured flags. No thoughts excepts of stripes and the Canberra blue sky. Sometimes it is just the simple things.

Top 100 - Here Comes the Sun, the Beatles # 3

2011-10-15T23:59:00.015+11:00

Story by Ivy
Ivy sings this song for her baby brother Finn. Whenever Finn cries she sings "little darlin', it's alright" perfectly in tune.

Artwork by Karin

Captain Cook Trays

2011-10-14T20:12:00.000+11:00

This is what happens when you stop by the antique shop...two willow trays that I plan to use as bedside tables but probably never will. That I don't need. I don't know quite why, but I think they are pretty awesome, even if I don't need them.

Top 100 - Tracy Jacks by Blur # 2

2011-10-12T21:35:00.001+11:00

Story by Lucy

My song is Tracy Jacks by Blur. I was given the Parklife CD for Christmas in 1994... (or maybe it was actually 1995) from my Dad. Being a 7 or 8 year old girl, Blur wasn't my usual choice of music. Dad seemed to be very keen on the band and on me taking an interest in their music too. So, being a gift from my Dad, I listened to it over and over and over and over again. I loved the whole album but in particularly, I loved Tracy Jacks. I don't know why I loved that song more, maybe it was the beat and that I found some of the lyrics funny.

So, Tracy Jacks reminds me of Christmas 1995, running around my house in Weetangera with my all of my family (one of the last years that happened) and being happy with life. It reminds me of spending time with my Dad and laughing at silly things. It reminds me of summer nights and barbeques with friends and family. It reminds be of electric blue nail polish and it reminds me of golf. Tracy Jacks was a golfing fanatic.

Artwork by Karin

Nuts!

2011-10-12T20:38:00.001+11:00

Fresh walnuts are incredibly addictive. Luckily this lot was the last of the season, so I won't be tempted next time I'm at the farmers market.

T is for teak table

2011-10-11T21:41:00.001+11:00

After 5 or so years...or however long I have lived in this house...I now finally have a table. It seats 6 and is a teak antique. I'm not sure 6 people will ever fit without a major rejigging of other furniture (like the entire living area) but it is nice to know these things are possible. I have used it twice, because I forget it is there. Come for dinner and remind me please.

She don't use jelly jelly

2011-10-10T00:26:00.000+11:00

That is my least favourite Flaming Lips song. This is though my favourite jelly recipe.
I often change it, but really it mostly stays like this:
150 mls water in pot on stove
Add 125grams castor sugar (or regular sugar, doesn't really matter)
bit of lemon rind
Juice of one or two blood oranges
When boiling, remove from heat and stir in one sachet of gelatine.
Split liquid amongst 4 glasses and top with...I don't know, about a quarter of a glass of sparkling wine?
Put in the fridge overnight.

Fundraiser, for me for you

2011-10-08T09:42:00.003+11:00

The internet is an amazing place. I found out about this fundraiser this morning from a blog I subscribe to, and it looks like this message has already gone far and wide. I love how this imaginary world of the internet can do so much good for just normal folk, living normal lives.

The fundraiser is to help Will who was diagnosed with testicular cancer recently. He is in thousands of dollars of debt after the surgery to remove the tumor, tests - yep he lives in America, home of the not free medical system even if you have a life threatening illness. Will is currently unemployed and unable to work because of his condition and is without health insurance. On top of all that - he is about to start chemo, and I think worrying about paying bills is the last thing you'd want to do when you should be focussed on kicking cancer's butt.

Will's girlfriend Kate has opened up her Etsy shop and is selling some of her photos and Will's collage pieces. The beautiful circle photo is one of hers. Pop into the shop and take a look - it is affordable, original art that you can enjoying twofold knowing that your purchase is helping out Will and Kate's back picket as well as their hearts.

Silo breakfast

2011-10-07T21:49:00.000+11:00

Still one of my favourite food place in Canberra. It is always consistent. Consistently bad service, and good food. But the owner is lovely, and he knows his stuff. His wife is a genius in the kitchen, and to be honest, the regular wait staff are lovely...its just the place is so busy. But really, at the end of the day it's about the food so everything else should be forgiven.

Above - perfect poached egg atop of white beans with speck, black pudding on sourdough.

5 German films

2011-10-06T19:33:00.000+11:00

We were talking about films today, which led to a talk about German films. Well not really a talk, but really just me saying how great contemporary German cinema is. And it is - there have been some excellent German films in recent times. Here are five you should see immediately. Schnell!

The Baader Meinhof Complex

The Edukators

Sophie Scholl - the final days

Lives of Others

Run Lola Run

I don't suppose you have a top 5 German film list? To be honest either did I until 3 minutes ago...I couldn't come up with a top 5 of all time favourite films, so broke it down into my favourite German ones.

If you think your day is going badly

2011-10-05T21:19:00.001+11:00

And then there were none

2011-10-04T19:16:00.000+11:00

Do birds have feelings? As in emotional feelings? The baby bird isn't doing so well, in that I think it might have kind of died. One of the adult birds stood next the nest for most of the day, staring glumly at the listless body - shooing away flies. It made me sad, and I said sorry through the double glazed window. Three babies down to none. I hope the magpies come back to the nest and have warmer weather next time they try to have bird babies.

Street art Darwin

2011-10-04T07:53:00.001+11:00

This is one of the best compliments ever - sent by a friend via text:
'for you. can't even pretend to know what you see when you take your pics but it did make me think of you'

Almond cake

2011-10-03T09:26:00.000+11:00

Twitter - it just keeps on giving. This cake recipe came via a tweet by Samantha Maiden. I was hungry - it looked amazing, but I resisted. I'll cook a lot of things just for me, but cooking a cake for one? Treading on dangerous ground I'd say, plus it seems a bit weird (coming from a person who will cook a roast for one I agree this is a bit contradictory).

So I cooked it for an afternoon tea and it is wonderful. Here is the recipe from the blog I Eat Therefore I Am.

Bird nest # 8

2011-10-02T09:52:00.000+11:00

Bicicletta

2011-10-01T09:33:00.002+10:00

Did you know that Bicicletta has re-opened after the great Acton fire of 2011? Well it has, and you should go there. I really like Bicicletta. It's the sort of casual, relaxed Italian place Canberra needs. Not outrageously amazing, but consistently good, and sometimes that's all you want in a place where your ordering doesn't extend beyond the antipasti, beer and pizza. Plus the Italian man is going great guns in rivaling the Belgium (long standing crush from Fyshwick markets...but really that is another story) in the charm stakes. Plus, they deep fry bread and serve it with prosciutto. Really.

Kitty skates

2011-09-29T20:18:00.002+10:00

Catch a falling star

2011-09-27T20:48:00.000+10:00

Sebadoh and Smudge

2011-09-26T21:27:00.000+10:00

Firstly, I love Smudge. They were just as good as I remembered all those gigs all those years ago. Speaking of years ago, how does Alison Galloway look the same age?

Secondly, if I was able to marry a voice it would belong to Lou Barlow.

Thirdly, thank goodness that lovely brown hair blue ribbon girl helped me stay to the very end. The last song in the encore was Willing To Wait.

That alone made it worth a Thursday night 6 hour round trip. I belted that song all the way home.

Lame-o

2011-09-26T20:15:00.001+10:00

Things have been a bit depressing here of late. A lame dog will do that to you. A lame dog in the twilight years of his life. A lame dog that you imagine not being there any more. Hold that thought.
One day that yellow dog person was bouncing around - the next day there was pain and sadness. I thought had done his cruciate again. Remember that? So yeah, I thought the worst - pretty much sobbing myself to sleep as I imagined coming home to an empty house. Planning who I would tell at work (so they could take down the dog pictures and ban everyone from talking about it), thinking about changing my twitter handle* so I wouldn't have that constant reminder. Basically my life was exactly like a cliched country song....but sadder and with my ex moving to Islamabad as opposed to Arkansas or Nashville or something.

Anyways, a trip to the vet concluded he just has super bad arthritis - big time bad. But manageable - what a relief. Hold that thought.
The vet told me that once a week for 4 weeks he has an injection. Every day he has a tablet. No problems there. Except as I was leaving she mentioned the tablets were 'pretty expensive, so we'll see how you go'. She did this in an alarmingly hushed tone. Be wary of a vet that whispers, it isn't the same as that dog whisperer dude.
I was holding onto that relief as I blindly handed over my visa card. The thought that my super best furry friend was still okay. Happy thoughts. Hold those thoughts.

About 2 hours later I was brave enough to look at the bill. $74 for 2 weeks of tablets. That is a frick load of money. I calculated how much this was going to cost long term and reflected that it was probably a good thing I cancelled that foxtel subscription. And then I felt a little bad - middle class problem much? So right about now is a good time to go back to the bunch of thoughts on hold. Dog loves you, you love dog. Dog feels better, you feel better. Money - it doesn't buy you love, but it buys you a happier dog.

*is that what a twitter name is called? I think so.

Floriade, you did depress me

2011-09-25T15:06:00.000+10:00

Yeah, yeah the flowers are beautiful and all that - but the people.... So many couples pushing their kids around with no smiles in their eyes. Just empty faces going through the motions of what you are all supposed to do with life. Thank god for the tourists!

The best part about floriade is the amazing posing by the flowers - I saw one guys with his girlfriend and big brown teddy bear, posing amongst the flower beds. There was a beautiful Malaysian girl who was doing a full on model shoot, not shy or self conscious at all (which made her more beautiful). And big families out enjoying the day, buying fairy floss and then picnicking. On the drive out I saw 5 different families picnic by the lake under the weeping willow trees. The tables were covered with tiffins filled with goodness knows what - but i bet it was good. All happy and laughing and with smiling eyes.

Question

2011-09-24T12:45:00.000+10:00

Why would someone who is 38 list Midsomer Murders as their favourite tv show, and wonder why they are still single?

Foxy

2011-09-19T23:22:00.001+10:00

Catching up with blogs and dogs

2011-09-18T07:45:00.001+10:00

If you can't say anything good ....

2011-09-14T21:48:00.000+10:00

Look, I'm not going to say anything - except this is one of the most hideous shopfronts I have ever seen. And there is a blog!!! And it has stacks of followers!!! And it isn't being postmodern or ironic!!! Just ugly.

Bird nest # 7

2011-09-13T07:09:00.001+10:00

Big dog - little dog

2011-09-12T22:29:00.001+10:00

Govcamp - social media conference for public service nerds

2011-09-11T23:13:00.000+10:00

Over the weekend I stopped by Govcamp for a few hours. There was no camping. There was though a bunch of casual talks about using social media in the government context. I'm in the pro camp when it comes to social media as a communication tool in the public service. I can sort of see why there are skeptics, but really I think it just makes sense. You can communicate with stakeholders directly, address misinformation, and target messages. And you can listen.

I'm lucky - I work with a bunch of enthusiastic people who have convinced a bunch of other people of the merits of social media. People criticise and make comments about the resourcing impacts this might have, but there aren't any additional resources - we just all do our bit because we just want to see it work. And it does.

Plus it's fun. People often think of public servants as cardigan wearing conservatives...but look at us, riding on a wave of modern day technology. Yeah, yeah we may be riding it several years after everyone else, but we were just biding our time. Who wants to have the legacy of a bunch of old government myspace and bebo accounts anyways.

Top 100 - No Surprises by Radiohead # 1

2011-09-08T21:45:00.003+10:00

Song: No Surprises by Radiohead

Story by Sinéad:
The first song that comes to mind for me is “No Surprises” by Radiohead. It isn’t my favourite song but I was watching ‘Spanish Apartment’ and heard this song and an overwhelming feeling came over me. I instantly decided then and there I had to move away and there was so much more to discover in the world. I never stick to anything I say I am going to do so the fact that I actually saved and moved (and am still here nearly 7 years later) is all down to this song. Even though watching the film and hearing the song made me yearn for Europe, when I hear it now I am transported back to my bedroom in Canberra late at night with the windows open, the garden of my childhood outside and it makes me really happy.

Artwork by Karin:

Bird nest # 6

2011-09-06T07:39:00.000+10:00

We have baby birds!

Sweet birds

2011-09-04T08:10:00.000+10:00

Instillation art in the everyday #2

2011-09-03T10:14:00.000+10:00

Kind of reminded me of Rosalie

1990's

2011-09-01T19:20:00.000+10:00

Does this blog look like the 1990's? Or remind you of a blog from the 1990's? Did they even have blogs in the 1990's? Are the 1990's bad?

I'm not sure if the internet was even invented in the 1990's...