Foo Fighters!

Things will forever be Before FF and After FF now. I was one of the lucky few (900) that scored tickets to the Foo Fighters secret show at the Manning Bar at University of Sydney on 25th March. It has taken me more than a week to put up the photos from the Foo Fighters Manning Bar secret gig and I still can't believe that it actually happened.

I found out about the secret gig about 15 mins before they went on sale which was lucky as I was only down the road from one of the two places which were selling the tickets (HUM). Only had to line up for about an hour but the whole time I was stressed that I was going to be the first person to miss out.

Dave calls out my friend Fi for yawning during one of the songs off the new album. He says maybe if he can pleasure her with his mouth she will be able to stay awake. Then sings Up In Arms.

It was a fairly epic day. I had worked in the morning (4am to 9am) so was pretty tired when I found out about the tickets sale and then had one of those odd sleeps where you don't know if you dreamt or if you did do the things you thought.

I intended to write this huge story of how fantastic the gig was and everything but the words don't really seem to be coming. Almost like what I am saying about it is kinda 'meh' but what I'm intending to say is more like 'Whoa'.

I got to see Foo Fighters play for 2.5 hours in a Uni bar with only about 900 other people and stand 5 rows, don't know what else I could say beside a combination of a Keanu "Whoa" and Joey a "Whoa".

- A

I roam around

Thought I should get crackin on some things that have been sitting on 'The List' for sometime. And... don't think I have done a 'The List' post on here which is odd (and stoopid) considering the title of the blog.

First up Brett Whiteley Gallery in Surry Hills. I have always been a massive fan of his work thanks to the influence of Ms Chant, high school art teacher.

Entrance with matchsticks - 03/07

The gallery is at his last studio and home and you get to watch the doco in his loungeroom on his couch (apparently). In his bedroom/studio there were quotes written on the walls. Was unsure if I was allowed to take photos, made sure the flash was off anyway.  

I found the studio really inspiring actually. It looks like this way the way he left his stuff, with a display of his books, CDs and a somewhat (artistically) messy bed. Makes me wish I stuck at painting, or at least inspires me to be more creative.

On the way to Oxford St I saw Object Gallery. Been on 'The List' for a while (don't know why) I think I took it off because I got it confused with some other space.

Really small space. Mainly glass/resin pieces. There was a travelling exhibition called Inside Out which is on until late July.

The exhibition consists of forty-six artists who made their artworks by producing a computer file of the artwork. The file is the produced by a computer using resin. The artists don't get to see a physical copy of the work until the exhibition.

All this info can be found through the links. I would recommend going to the site and reading about the process and the works before going, makes you appreciate and understand it more. I had no idea about the concepts and meanings of it until I started writing this post. I just thought they looked cool.

'Just Looking: Head Sculpture Created with Eye Tracking' - Kevin Badni

'Cirripedia' - Fleur Summers

Not on the list. Liked the typography and the way (possibly unintentionally) the text is coming apart at the bottom. Not a saucy bit of graffiti, just a sign pointing you to the bikeshop around the corner.

Tokyo Bike

I have heard that Christopher's is one of the best shops that do traditional Greek cakes... and it is on 'The List'.

An assortment of goodies.

My selection.

(from the back) Kourambiedes {almond shortbread}, Amigthalota {Greek almond, consistency of a coconut macaroon} and a Lemon Petit Foure {continental pastry with lemon filling}. I liked the Amigthalota the best.

Rushcutters bay.

Parking to get to Christopher's took me back to when I came to Sydney in year 12 for a Life Management excursion. LM was a subject close to my current degree (Sociology). We went to Mission Australia to meet some homeless folk for a chat. This was also the first time that I had seen a real life needle in the street! Followed that up with lunch looking at over-priced yachts on the bay. 

Getting a bit peckish, onwards to Harry's. True I did come here a few weeks ago whilst giving a friend, on her last night in Sydney, a whirlwind Sydney city tour. Didn't get anything to eat though.

I got the Meat Pie and Mash. I thought it came with peas, alas it did not. The pie has real meat. Like steak not mince, I think the mash is actual mash and not Deb style mash like I was thinking it could be. Obviously it was going to be good. It has been open for a little while ... (1940's actually).

The man himself surveys my choice.

Sitting a bit of a spell enjoying the view whilst I nail my pie.

That was my epic afternoon. I managed to get six places off 'The List'. Two places I discovered have closed, can't really remember why they were on it anyway. Think I'll try and spread he adventures out form now on. Don't really like the epic postings.

- A

Just a small town girl

BOXWORLD... Doesn't exactly draw you in, but at least you know what to expect. I went and saw it because I missed the day that my Uni museum group went.

Town Centre - 01/07

It took the guy over 12 years to build it, approx 200 square metres and is made entirely out of recycled materials. It is currently at Mosman Art Gallery and has also been to Victoria and Tasmania. I would recommend it if you are in the area.  

Skyscrapers

It has the usual stuff that most cities have. A cinema, art gallery, music shops, telecommunication buildings. The was no traffic jams or drive by shootings, so not entirely accurate. The attention to details on the roads and facings on the buildings were fantastic. I could only spend a few minutes there but you could easily spend a while just checking out all the different types of buildings. There was even a Chinatown district.

- A

Just call me Charlie Conway

Got to, somewhat, fulfill my Mighty Ducks dream of skating on ice outside.

Got my skates on - 29/06

Alas, there was no Emilio Estevez to impart some worldly knowledge to me.
Ice skating was part of the Sydney Winter Festival. We went to the St Marys Cathedral one. Many a massive stack on the ice. Suprisingly, given my incredible lack of coordination and balance, I am pretty good on the ice.

- A

pew pew pew*

Manning Bar at Syd Uni for John Steel Singers and Dappled Cities.

John Steel Singers - 05/-06

Much awesome hair amongst The John Steel Singers. I saw them a few weeks ago at OAF with Philly Jays which was why I wanted to go to tonights gig. Great live.

Mainly went for JSS but it was Dappled Cities who were headlining. I had only really heard their Grandance CD and saw them at the Aust Day concert in The Rocks which was just before they were to go overseas for awhile. So, this was there return home/Zounds tour.

The super happy lead (or joint lead) singer had a pretty cool shirt on, until I saw the keyboard guy. He had a shirt with a Pomeranian on it!

They had a laser show which pleased the whacked out uni kids. Guy standing next to me was 'freakin out'. Rubbing his eyes and eating the air. Nut. 

Really liked this gig, can't believe it was over so quick. Highly recommended. Both will be playing Beach Road Hotel in Bondi on June 25th... get some! The warm-up peeps made me a little sleepy. Needed a bit more enthusiasm from them, nice voices and music but were that new breed of timid women bands which I don't really enjoy. Man up!

EDIT: in all my excitment at the possibility of seeing these two bands together I read the venues wrong. Yikes! I know my word can be taken as gospel at time but occasionally... rarely I do get it wrong. You *can* see them on the 25th of June if you are in Bryon Bay at the Beach Hotel. Not to be confused with the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi... somewhat like I did.

- A

*thats the noise a laser makes

Its Alive!!!

Thursday night was 'Lighting of the Sails' which was the first night of the VIVID Festival. This year is all about Gov. Macquarie and the 200th Anniversary of Sydney's first 'power couple' (quoted from VIVID website!) Each building has theme and St Marys Cathedral was 'Designing The Nation'.

The good looking fellow himself - 27/05

Also lit up is The Mint, Sydney Library, Old Parliament House and Opera House. MCA wasn't included this year for some reason. All the building display pictures relating to different themes.

A dinner in Chinatown on Friday night and a walk through Chinatown markets can turn up some wonderful gifts. How about a Colonel Obama bucket for your tissues?

Secret herbs and spices included - 28/05

Missed uni yesterday because of a cracking headache so I made the trip in the rain to get more library books.

Mmmm Mother 29/05

Rain makes me a little sleepy too.

- A

Also, the Window Washer Guy is being kicked from his post at Parra Rd & Johnston St. I signed his petition to keep him there. He goes all out with costumes and decorations.

Sunshine

I took the long way back to my car from Uni today to have a look at the park and lake and other sorts of nature-y items. Parts of the Macq Uni grounds remind me of works from the Heidelberg School. One of my most disliked arts movements. I don't really enjoy 'typical' Australiana, to corny. I see why it is good, just don't make me spend time looking at it.

Autumnal leaves - 19/05

Massive shout-out also goes to loyal reader and awesome sister, Binna, on this her day of birth. To commemorate the occasion I thought it only fitting, considering she is a nurse, to show of how 'well' the burn is doing. Happy Birthday, now diagnose!

Worse after Chemist trip

Seemingly there is a conspiracy in the ranks of pharmacists across Sydney. Each time I have seen one they give me stuff and it gets worse. Today was a repeat of the day before, although different pharmacy. I was given a bandage which stuck to the burn and resulted in much gurning to remove it. Instead of having an isolated second degree burn I've decided to ring in the surrounding skin and rip that off too. I think me and the internet will take the treatment from here. Also, it seems the world is divided between cover and not cover. Between adding burn hydrating cream and 'letting it air'. Giving me the shits.

- A

Satisfaction came in a chain reaction

CAUTION: Grotesque awesome images of how truly tuff I am. *flex.

I burnt my arm at work today. Shows how much of a hard worker I am. Scars are cool anyway, especially scars from a sandwich press.. RAWK!

10AM - 15/05

Got home from work 10AM and took the above photo thinking that that would be the end of the burn. It was quite bite-y though and I didn't have any bandages and the Internets told that I should have a bandage to stop the air from getting to it. Didn't say why air was bad but the Internets never lie so I put a sock on my arm... sound stoopid? More like laterel thininking, yeah. I did put some burn cream on it first.

6PM

Apparently the sock treatment is not the way to go. Actually, elastic pressure was possibly not the greatest idea, they can't all be winners though. It looks more intense in real life, still quite tender. I will have to wear 3/4 length sleeves so I can show people hard-core I am and tell strangers of the time I beat down a wolverine and all I got was this minor (but still hurt-y) burn. Check that blister...

Also, this is in a difficult place to photograph. Outer left forearm, which shows my commitment to my readers in informing them of highly important events. I near broke my arm trying to get a good one of the blister! This is also the first time I have had to take off my 'bracelet'. Wool stuck in my welting sore could have been painful.

- A 

We could forget how to make our way home

I went to Old Manly Boatshed tonight to see Mark Sholtez. He is in different genres depending on the place you look. Blues, Jazz, Lyrical (???), Pop... this guy does everything. I really liked his music and was surprised that I have never heard his stuff before. I don't really like Jazz and was initially weary. Great live and lovely fellows to boot.

Mark Sholtez - 14/05

$20 to get in, which I think is quite resonable. Got a little rowdy towards the end of his set too, much yelling and loud talking. I sound like an old women. I just prefer to be able to hear the music rather then the chatting from young punks (and not so young punks). He also did a cover of 'Sweet Child o' Mine' complete with Axel's snake dance.

Ellie was havin a chat to Mark whilst I got to fulfill my roadie dreams and mind the gear for Bruce (other guitarist). Segue. I have had a few strangers getting me to mind their shit while they go off and do things. It's a compliment to know I look trusting to mind your meal/bag/child(yes!)/guitar stuff but I don't know what I would do if some other person wanted to take your stuff - maybe I would be a little more protective over the child and guitar but I don't really care about your soft drink! It is also difficult when the owner stuffs about and takes longer to get back... do I stay and mind your crap like I said I would??? whats in it for me anyway? Didn't mind minding the guitars, felt like I was 'with the band'... cool factor increase.

I digress...

The gig was great. I will friend him on FB and he said there will be another tour around/after June when the new album comes out. You all should come along!!!! Maybe next time I will go a little closer to the city. Most people there were not there for the music and act accordingly which makes me shake my fist and turn into a grumbling old lady.

New single "We Could Get Lost" is also free on iTunes as single of the week, check it out. This song also appeals to my love of wandering.

Winter's cold is to much to handle

I was in Canberra Saturday night for the Groovin The Moo concert which was on Sunday. I was introduced to Chat Roulette and after many weirdos we 'met' this guy and his mate. Antonio from Spain, told him I would add him on FB am yet to do that.

Taking a photo of Antonio and I - 08/05

Groovin The Moo at University of Canberra was a chillsome affair. Started the day with Jonathan Boulet, third time and it feels like I'm stalking. They were a hit with the underage set (many orange wristbands) and the lay-deez did go a little wild when Jono danced and lifted his guitar. They had an extra drummer who I thought was in Sherlock's Daughter but can't confirm. Great set and was better received than the Surry Hills Festival set a few weeks ago.

Blondes not welcome it would seem - 09/05

The whole day was great. Got fairly pushy after Tegan and Sara for some reason??? I was going to miss Miami Horror because I don't really know their stuff but others wanted to see them and I had a tip that they were pretty good.

Multi-tasking Miami Horror singer

Concert was on a Sunday and there was an epic drive back to Sydney afterwards. Getting back late and having an early start on Mon meant that I didn't do anything really on Monday. This is some fabric that Nan gave me. I like it but think the print it to large for clothing, I think it will have to be a blanket. Have had it for 2 years and still can't cut into it.

Swans??? - 10/05

Completely unintentional... I decided to take a photo of all the cranes I have been making today. I cut my hand today at work. Dropped a cup and caught it as it smashed. That was waaayyy to boring to post. At least this is something I have been working on. It also gave me ideas for trying to take staged photos.  

Paper Cranes - 11/05

Goes well with Nan's fabric. There are not that many I guess. I have them sitting on my stereo speaker and I fold some when I want a break from writing and studying. Thinking about your wish whilst making them and reaching 1000 apparently makes it come true. I don't think that works if the wish is 'do well at uni'. 

- A