Tim Burton

I have a friend who is an animator that is working on the new Charlie + The Chocolate Factory, and for that.... erm.... I'm very proud anyway.... not that he's not done cool stuff before like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

I once said in an email to him 'eh, what you working on and can i look?' and he went:

"Lord of the Rings and no"

And it wasn't fair, but man, imagine doing that for a living.... hmmm... pity I can't draw eh?!

Ooh, have you noticed I've been more bothered with sizes and colours lately!? Tee hee.

Straight Out of Brisbane program looks great. I'm really looking forward to it... doing door bitching at a few different venues throughout the fest, so that is always fun.

I had a dream with Colin Firth in it last night. What is going on here?! Obviously I now find him a spunk, where-as before I didn't.

Oh AND... what is it with me and handsome bartenders....?? I've now hopefully got three of them at my beck and call.
I should probably retract that for fear of retribution, but fuck it.

Oops, I said fuck.
xJ

okay okay...

so it's true, i really have nothing to write...
no that's a lie, i do actually.

I am a big fan of PT Anderson, Magnolia is one of the true genius pieces of film (even it's in entirety of 3 hours and 8 minutes), and Punch-Drunk Love was just as incredible... but I made myself watch BOOGIE NIGHTS yesterday, because I think the first time I went to watch it more than 5 years ago, I fell asleep.

Okay, now... I enjoyed some of it... the beginning was better... and poor WH Macy! :(

(my train of thought has been trashed, by the small child, whose parent obviously wasn't watching it, and has just pulled a BOOK SHELF on top of themselves)

I don't know, I thought when I first saw Mark Wahlberg act I gave him more credit than he was due. Other performances in the film are damned fine. I LOVE Julianne Moore, she's great.

My point is, it's the least fave of the three PT films I've seen... thoughts?

Also we watched PIECES OF APRIL over the weekend, and I must say, I really like Katie Holmes. She's great in it. And all the characters were great actually. Make sure that you check it out, I don't want to say too much about it, but basically... her family is coming for Thanksgiving Dinner and her oven is broken... and that's not the half of it!

I spent Friday night at RUSH, my new favourite bar to drnk $4 pints of Stella, and by god they have the most handsome boy there... *swoon*

xxJ

golly gee willakers!

so... i had this dream last night that i returned to adelaide completely unprepared, got the time wrong when i was supposed to reunite with people, felt all sweaty and horrible, with no change of clothes, and that pippas friend had her houseboat parked next to her house!

Go figure.

What does this all mean? Am I afraid of returning and not having achieved anything?

I hate not working... well I don't hate it, working does suck more than it rocks generally.... but I get bored out here in "Sydney" as DiP and BrudD have called it. I'll probably go into town later and catch up with work mates from my first month here. I liked them, a bunch of nice people.

I am starting to work out really where I would like to go travelling next year... the US for sure, perhaps Japan, Cuba and Spain are entering the equation. Hmm. But with any luck I'll be able to spend a few weeks travelling with the super-spunky Sam, with whom I will hunt for boys and cause trouble!

xxJ

so, about that job you promised me...

I probably already wrote this, but the job i started on Monday lasted a whole 4 1/2 hours before someone in their upper management decided they couldn't be bothered training someone for a 2 week stint.... and so put more pressure on their own workers (as you do) and left me without a job for the next fortnight...

Well that's not necessarily true I suppose, the Agency is always optimistic something will come up. And they know I'm keen so at the moment I can't do much more than that.

So... what else. Oh yes, the last episode of the OC... I'd like to say WHATTHEMASHUGANAPUTS?! I mean for people who DISPISE this series, of which I know a few, you are delusional. I mean really... they all leave at the end of it? 'Marissa' hits the bottle, and 'Seth' floats off into the sunset. BEAUTIFUL! 'Keirsten' crying? Man, I'm so envious of her getting to snog Peter Gallagher all the time. Hmph! This is why I like this show, it was not a happy ending, it was left on the edge, making you want more. (Bastards!)

Also, in relation to the box... the tele, whatever you might call it.... i note channel 10 has the most 'new' stuff coming up over the silly-season.... which is good, i mean i was dreading all the xmas movie re-runs... but i also note that there are NO NEW AUSSIE SITCOMS OR DRAMAS amongst them.
Come on AUSTRALIAN TV NETWORKS, support some more AUSTRALIAN PRODUCERS, AUSTRALIAN ACTORS, AUSTRALIAN WRITERS! Please. It's starting to make me a little bit edgy. I'd hate to be a struggling actor in this country, honestly. If you manage to hit a spot in Neighbours, you'd be lucky.

That's my two cents anyway.
I'm nearly out of library internet time, and I guess I should sign up for some sort of job mail so I dont have to wait for the paper each Saturday.

be excellent to each other.
and congrats to 'ma boyz' the new pollutants for a win in the SAMIA awards! good on ya babes!

xJ

bridget jones: edge of reason

well me and DiPana just spent our $6 and $5 respectively to go see the new Bridget Jones!!

Here's Di's review:

"I liked the fight. I want to fight like that. Give me a reason."

(footnote from di: "I'm a pretty good reviewer hey? That was magic")

I thought it was good, enough giggly moments to make me like it. I always laugh at peoples misfortunes in films, i mean i guess i just like slapstick comedy, but there's got to be something wrong with that.

Hugh Grant is a sexy bitch.
And I liked Colin Firth much more now as well.

But still not as much as Peter Gallagher.

*swoon*

xJ

my soul is an island...

my car is a ford...

no it ISNT!

anyhoo, well, I have no longer got a new temp job to go to for the next fortnight... I went there yesterday morning and someone up there in the hot-seat decided that they could use an internal person for a fortnight, rather than train me to do the reception job for a fortnight.... so 4 1/2 hours after i arrived i was on my way home.

THANKS A LOT YOU BASTARDS!!

Oh well. life of a temp I guess. It's just that hadn't happened to me before, and I took it a little bit personally as well.

They came up with another job at a marketing place, but it's across the other side of the city - and it would be temp to permanent, and i want to travel next year for several months... so i dont want to annoy people by taking a job then going on holidays or quitting in about July.

Anyhoo, I'm waiting for the job spec to come thru on email and I'll make a decision more based on that. Might just have to move sooner rather than later.

Went to my volunteer meeting for straight out of brisbane last night... nice bunch of people, i think it's going to be great. The program is huge, so check it out.

I really have nothing terribly interesting more to report.
Went for a swim this morning. Huzzah!

I guess I'll be watching daytime tv the next few days til more work comes up.

*yawn*
I was glad that Casey won Australian Idol because Anthony sounded the same every time he sang.

I had a dream with the people from The OC in it last night, now something is wrong with that!! Because it wasn't even Peter Gallagher.... mmm Peter Gallagher.

Nyuk.
Tune into 93.7FM in Adelaide Sunday from 2pm for Better Living Thru Inebriation, and hear the Brisneyland report at some point with yours truly.

Splendiferous!

xxJ

oh blog!

i promised not to neglect thee, and one has the admittance of guilt now!

Reasons I came to Brisneyland:
1) warm weather
2) change of scenery
3) hang out with Di + Bruddley + Erin
4) clear my head
5) get rid of tunnel vision
6) do some training
7) see how another radio station works...
8) find out if any MORE people are going to break my heart
9) cause trouble
10) did i mention sunshine?

xxJ

dropping like flies..

hell!

my readership is dropping off pretty rapidly, I must be very boring!
Yes that's it!

I know, I know, I am not writing nearly as much as I should, but hey... I don't have my computer up here yet.... hopefully next week.

Anyhoo, last weekend we saw Lano + Woodley's "The Island"... tres bon. This was the first time I'd seen Lano + Woodley and by god they're a bunch of cuties!

Thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Watched "Always", "Gremlins", "The Money Pit" and "Centre Stage" in the last week.

Special Features on DVD's are COOL.

Vote in the SAMIA awards, or someone is going to hurt me.

owwww.
benjammmmmmmmmmiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnn....!! OWWWW!

xJ

my November 3 post on November 4...

Politics: Today is kind of D-Day... Although I haven't been following the US election 'warm-up' so much, all I know is that I want that lying Dubbya out of there (I also wanted our little Johnnie Howard out of there too, but it was not to be).

Dubbya and LJH can go play their war games on their own planet, not mine!

I am kind of concerned for the American Public in general... eg. what will happen on the streets if Bush is returned to power. I have these visions for some reason of mass rioting and protesting and anger.

God I hope the rioting part doesn't come true.

If something goes bunta (Mikey, this is for you) get on a plane and sleep on our purple and green couch!

I also think the US might kind of 'swallow' itself in our lifetime... I don't know what makes me feel that way, but let me kind of explain. (and this sucks, cos I know a whole bunch of nice US-ians.... the people over at Quiet Water Web and Mikey and stuff...) I just see that, of course, the general populas, as here, is asking for simple things like good health care and not getting it. The gun issue is a huge problem. The 'fear' angle constantly used discusts me. Slowly it's getting worse.

I am not saying I have an answer, I am not saying I know a whole lot about US history or anything. (And, as we know, news is always biased) I'm just saying I'm worried.

Education: Some people seem to think Michael Moore is just stirring shit, and perhaps he is. What I see is that he is collating vital information and providing it to the general public in a way everyone can understand... whether it be by using a guy in a giant rubber chicken suit, or putting it in a book with useful tips on who to contact for what in their country.

I saw the book "Michael Moore is a big stupid fat white man". Firstly, enough with the taunts about weight, who gives a crap. Secondly, I did open this book to a random page in the book store. Bascially what it said what that a particular topic that Mike had commented on in his book "Stupid White Men".... if you typed a particular phrase relating to that into google you found 80,000+ references to it and, in essence, "ha ha, he's not smart"... you fucking retards! Of course he's researched the topics he's talked about (and listed exactly where in the back of the book i might add) Go on! MAKE A POINT!

Life: Oh, and if the man I found the most comfort in talking to in this world only realised the conversatoin got you through the later years in life... we'd be procreating by now!
Or at least hopping on the good foot and doing the bad thing!

Julie and Erin loungeroom yoga tonight - Yeehaw!

Comin' atcha black mamba style!

(I'm obsessed with the Kill Bill Vol 2 Soundtrack by the way... thank you again Quentin.... especially "Goodnight Moon" and "About Her")

My friday update (on a saturday)

I did something that has made me smile today... i shall explain;

on my lunch break after coming out of the post office, a (strikingly handsome) Australian Conservation Society worker stopped me, thanked me for stopping... I told him how I'd been in Canberra when a bunch of Wilderness Society members were stopped out the front of Parliament House, for holding up a sign that said 'save the forests'... because they weren't in the 'designated protesting area' (apparently, FYI, this 'designated protesting area' is around the SIDE of Parliament House, far away from anywhere that a Politician might need to walk to get to his/her post... hmph!)

He told me about the kinds of campaigns they do, and was well read on the subject; being a German traveller and all.

May I insert the words "BARRIER REEF" and "MURRAY RIVER" here.

It occurs to me that in this past year or so, there has been only 'ME'... I've been so caught up with the fight going on in my head, I forgot about the bigger picture.

In short, I am now a supporter of the Aust Conservation Foundation.... and yes, it makes me smile.

xJ

thoughts from yesterday...

It amazes me that something like Lleyton Hewitt's fiance dumping him or Paris Hilton screwing "The Poo" (as he is affectionately named by Roy + HG) can make front page news. I mean I guess it was only the Sunday Mail, but after my call to Three D that afternoon, I've discovered it was probably on the cover of EVERY Sunday paper in the country! Somewhat depressing!

Also, the new Australian Drama "Cooks" seems to have disappeared already? So much for harbouring Aussie talent. And if it didn't get the ratings you expected Channel 10, next time don't put it up against something like the last season of Sex + The City! You lost half your demographic right there, and shot yourself in the foot at close range!!

I have applied for a part time job with Amnesty up here. I think it would be great, and it would mean I could try and sneak in some study on Event Management or Tourism in between time.

Temp job is plodding along. Sometimes we are certainly very busy but not always...

A cute boy named Neil helped me in Dymocks today ;)

more soon...
comment pweeze if you are reading!
xxJ

get ready for a big PHAT blog...

I have, this week, been working as a temp for a Body Corporate Management office. Basically I'm a correspondence clerk til further notice. It's a quiet place, everyone's pretty busy, but they're all nice people.

I type their letters, charge their outlays, answer phone calls, do the mail and stuff and things.

I have learnt something.... not all "English" Dictionaries are the same (even including the spell check on my computer). I was doing some documentation with the word 'arborculturist' in it. I'd changed it to ARBOR CULTURIST as the spell check told me it wasn't a word. The Body Corp Manager approved the letter so I sent it to be signed. The Big Boss sent it back asking it to be changed back to arborculturist. I stuck a note on it saying there ain't no such word, after checking our Macquarie Concise English Dictionary Third Edition (revised and updated) and reprinted in 1999!

However, in the Collins English (and Australian) Edition downstairs, the word is listed.

So what I want to know is WHO IS RIGHT? and DO ARBORCULTURIST's exist?

I've never been one to particularly preen myself, at least in the way of things such as skin care. I'm very lucky my skin has always been near on perfect, in that I don't get blemishes. And pretty much the most used product ever is my aloe vera gel, straight off the plant or out of a tube, it doesn't matter!

Now that I've made this big move, and a large portion of the reason I moved is to shake myself up a bit, become a better person, rah rah rah, i am actually finally doing more 'cosmetic' things to myself.

Yes everyone knows my obsession with eyeshadow and NO I'm not talking about botox!

I have been concerned with the dark circles that have taken over my eyes the past few years. So when I went to the supermarket the other day to buy my other favourite moisturiser (Garnier Body Tonic, bless it) I found some Neutrogena Eye Cream...

Brisbane City is quite hilly, I think my legs are getting a reasonable work out each day. Still my problem is the 'from the waist-up bloat'... I don't quite understand it myself but I now do my hand weights every day and have started doing sit-ups. I can do about 20 at the moment before I start feeling sick, but this will surely improve. If Britney Spears can do 300, then so can I damn it!

xJ

what's a good present for...

a 'congratu-ma-lations you finished your uni-ma-versity' present?

insert random thought/s here: I think we should send more postcards. It's fun getting them. I wonder if Jules + Philo got my postcard?

I want to go to Dreamworld (when I get a job that is) because I want to go on a rollercoaster and run amok like a little kiddywink for a day. Is that bad? Probably.

work: So... this morning I got up reasonably early... it'd been raining all night... hopefully that gave the fire fighters up here some much needed relief.... so I got up and went to Centrelink, and they're going to help me but I gots to wait til the 26th til I see any cash. Which, maybe, will mean that I will have already gotten work through the Temp Agency who I will be seeing this afternoon...

tele: so... 1) they should get someone other than ROVE to host the ARIA's. He's just not funny anymore. Bring back Darryl Somers, or give the job to someone worthy like Denton or Peter Berner, just not Rove. You just don't make me giggle enough anymore mate, you're out of the gang!
2) Also, why the hell is that Marty guy still on Australian Idol... or Hayley. They're both much notably worse than the other contenders that are left. I kind of like the idea of a Courteney/Chanel showdown at the end. or the really young girl, i forget her name, but she has such good control of her voice.
3) Mark Holden is an old perv.
4) Kind of interested in the new Aust Drama Cooks, but unfortunately they have put it on I think at the same time as Sex + the City, and SATC wins hands down for me at the moment. Might have to tape the other, because I keep wondering why we have this 48 ba-thousand versions of CSI and US shows like that, and they aren't harvesting (is that the right word i'm looking for, probably not) Aussie actors/Aussie shows/directors etc etc. Shame on them.

stuff and things,
xJ

*cough*..... *splutter*

yes still coughing and spluttering my way through my days, which is somewhat annoying let me tell you.

Also my nose continues to bleed because I've been blowing it way too much this week.

Which leads me to the very scientific question of WHERE THE HELL DOES ALL THIS SNOT COME FROM?

I would like to protest my well... protest against the use of the ARENA as a venue for Groove Armada here in Brisneyland. I mean, I have nothing specifically against the Arena as a venue... for a band that you might not need to dance to that is.

Went there for the Cat Empire a couple Fridays ago.... well it was great to see so many people there to rock out (even though the crowd weren't all jumping around... hello? JUMP PEOPLE!) but I found that I had to go upstairs to get a boogie in because in the main area there was absolutely NO dancing space.

This said, the ticket price of $75 also seems a bit steep when GA should be playing a larger venue.

This is why, people of Earth, I should be a bloody promoter. I mean sheesh, whomever you are, give me a job. Please. And I will actually go to venues, and check them out, so that I know that the audience is going to WANT to pay that much money to go see their fave outfit.

Also, the soundsystem in the Arena wasn't fantastic and the beer was expensive (actually, all the drinks were expensive).

And if I was Groove Armada I'd be saying 'pants' to you, and your little dog too.

The Amazing Race is back on TV in Australia, and at a reasonable time-slot. I think it's actually good for kids to see it, because it could teach them small amounts about Geography and Culture. Which is good, right?
The only thing I don't like seeing as much is the bitching, I mean some of it is in context, but some of it is people whining, and I don't want to see people whining.

New SPLENDARO vox pop.... provided by Miss Dippity DiPana Alexsponia!

WOULD YOU DO A 5 YEAR TEACHING DEGREE SO YOU COULD OWN A BUNNY? (leave answers in comments)

Let me explain... in Brisneyland, land of sunshine (and bushfires evidently, woah!) you can't own a bunny rabbit for a 'pet'... you must own it for research or training purposes... hence, if you had a teaching degree you can own a bunny.

Di really wants to own a bunny.

this is the end of the rambling...
xJ

update-us goodness....

hello cyber-world...

firstly, i am sick. Not sick in the head, or sick of bad politicians being in power in our country, but sick as in *blowing nose* sick.

I thought I'd have more time whilst travelling to stick some notes to my blog, however it just didn't happen... I didn't even get to see all the people I wanted to see (sorry big Fi!) but had a jolly good time along the way.

I really enjoyed Canberra, contrary to popular belief it's quite nice. So quiet though. That's the thing about it... you're in the middle of the city in the middle of the week and you can hear wildlife. So unusual...

Sydney was nice again. Didn't make Trovatos but spent some time a the Manly Jazz Festival, eating expensive fish and chips.... headed down to the Harbour to meet Aiva for some expensive drinks (and i mean expensive) and searched for one SINGLE pub that was open for counter meals.... and when couldn't find one, found a cheap tasty noodle bar instead.

Totally missed Merlin, Joe, Andrew and da boys from Debasa because I went to the wrong park (for an Anti-Howard/Peace gathering) but these things happen.

Had brekkie on the day I left with Kim, Sally + Kristian down at Coogee. Sooooo tasty....

One night in Coffs, then arrived here. That's the super-condensed version but some of you would have received my email anyway!

I still am uncertain as to what I'm actually doing here... certain people from home are keeping me sane (thanx nico, thanks sam, thankx tank, thankx shaz) and i ran up a hella big phone bill since i moved house in adelaide *sheesh* but oh well.

Hopefully work will fall in my lap soon. Applied to a few places yesterday and need to print some of my resumes out when I can get to a computer that I can do that on... but I guess that's what job network is good for. Thanks Centrelink (well, thanks next Monday if you can help me)...

I am sick of blowing my nose! Can I just chop it off??

eww.

new fave CD's: Kill Bill Volume 2 Soundtrack + Verve Remixed Vol 2 Compilation

stuff and things.
write me comments if you are reading. otherwise, i give up!
xxJ

ps. oh, since I have been here we saw the Cat Empire at the Arena, which was fully excellent, and Paul Kelly at the Brisbane Multicultural Festival (which was free, and which is the reason I got sick from sitting on cold lawn). Super fun.

argh!

yes i'm here! more soon kids.
xJ

finally!

I found an internet cafe that can help me burn a CD, god that was a feat.

Hello from Canberra, our Nations Capital. Place of lots of Possums and funny buses.

I haven't done much exploring yet to be honest, but bEC and Ian took me out for Pizza last night to this great place, and that's about it so far... looked at a bunch of photos from their trip overseas, of which I am horrendously jealous.

Melbourne was fun. Played some basketball for the first time in years... sore arms. owww.

Saturday I am off to Sydney.... in time for the Sydney Peace Day Festival on Sunday! hooray!

This is the end of the rambling, for now...
xJ

so the day has arrived...

no not the moving day, the Freedom Festival!!

I think we're all happy it's here and everything's pretty sorted out for the big night. I look forward to playing babysitter/chauffer for the next 24 hours or so.

Tomorrow I will have to re-pack some stuff, and try not to overload the back of my car, and gear up for the Rhino Room Tracksuit party.

Huzzah!

And now, just for Philo's pleasure, things I HATE: I hate coming home from the pub knowing I nearly spent $60 and I'm not pissed. What is happening to me? Do I have an iron stomach? Where does all that alcohol go? I mean, granted we had just been to Yin Chow for a pig-out but I mean really! *hmph*

xJ

for the harmonica...

Last EVER Lawnmower Music: 93.7FM: Sunday 2-4pm

with Leigh*dust, Denni Brillig,

Esquivel: Miniskirt
G Love + Special Sauce: Night of the Living Dead
Cornelius: Drop
Morphine: Top Floor, Bottom Buzzer
Dj Salinger: Hello
Ciccone Youth: Two cool rock chicks listening to Neu
Smokey Robinson + The Miracles: You've really got a hold on me
Groove Armada: Think Twice
Joss Stone: Fell in love with a boy
Leigh StarDust: You might say
The Titanics: Harmonica
Ween: Hey there fancypants
Paris Combo: Attraction
Richard Easton: Underground Sea
Dolly Parton: PMS Blues
Aimee Mann: Momentum
The Avalanches: Run DNA
Roger the Band: Hatchback
DJ Tr!p: Grungebitch
Brassy: Feeling Sorry
Leigh*dust: This is the ending
Phil Nichol: Daddy's Wig
Crazy Penis: Magical Progression (Nic's pick)
Luke Ashby + The Lonely Crowd: Criminally Beautiful
Neneh Cherry: Buffalo Stance

GOODBYE THREE D. You have served me well.
xxJ

*achoo*

so, still packing away at 10:56am on Friday... I have to be out of here tomorrow! They'll be no procrastinating today (apart from this blog entry of course).

Saw the new extendo version of Donnie Darko last night, that was pretty sweet. It made more sense to me I suppose this time... Time Travel? Do you think the movie could have been about time travel? (this part of the entry is simply for Ben + Sam who joined me for the mooFie, and overheard other people who had little to no idea of the concept, and said something completely retardo when leaving the theatre - and no, it wasn't "time travel?" that was me being fesitious!)

I have just loaded up the boot with things to take to the Goodwill Store. There's no going back now, it's all gotta go really. There is stuff that is still very useful but it's just not worth a whole bunch of money, and I feel better giving it away anyway... hopefully someone will find some joy in some of it. I've put some games and books in there too.

What I'm going to do with the rest of the videos around here I have no idea!

Threw out another 'garbage bag' sized bag of clothes into the clothes bin yesterday... I have a feeling there will be more to go.

Ok, no more screwing around. I got to get this place spik n span!
xJ