Bjork: Clearly some kind of wizard

Wow. Bitch be crazy but clearly she is some kind of wizard. This is magical.




Way to rock Michel Gondry.

Everything, Everyone, Everywhere, Ends

Has anyone else noticed the game people are playing on Facebook at the moment? Where someone posts a year on a friend's page and in response the friend fills their status with corresponding memories? I’m going to steal this concept, only instead of writing about specific years, this week I’m going to write about things that had a profound impact on me; the type of impact that can only occur during adolescence.

The first thing I want to share with you is the HBO series Six Feet Under.

Julia Millionaire introduced me to the series when I was in year 11. It made a huge impact on me then, and after watching the final season again this weekend, I can see why.

Six Feet Under is superbly scripted and shot. Each episode has at least one line that makes you sit and reflect on your own life. It sounds a little naff, but the series really is a celebration of life. From birth to death it reiterates the unbelievable fact that we have total control over our lives and consequentially our happiness.

"I’m just saying you only get one life. There’s no god, no rules, no judgments. Except for those you accept or create for yourself and once its over, its over. Dreamless sleep forever and ever. So why not be happy while your here?

Really. Why not?"

It’s so easy to forget how much choice we actually have over our happiness, and so easy to feel trapped or not act on what we’re really feeling due to fear. Six Feet Under reminds me of this, and accordingly hits me hard. Really hard.

"All we have is this moment, right here, right now. The future is just a fucking concept that we use to avoid being alive today.

So, be here now"

When I first watched Six Feet Under I had no idea what I wanted to be, what direction I wanted to go in, or who I was. I lived in a state of constant fear not believing myself to be good enough for anyone or anything, wondering when my friends and family would figure it out. This weekend while watching the final season again I realised that the way I’m living completely reflects what I want. I've somehow ended up in a job I adore, I’m honest and open about how I feel and I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by people I love. Lordy, how self-actualised.




Whether it’s because the television show is incredible, or whether it’s due to where I’m up to in my cycle, Six Feet Under really packed a punch this afternoon. A lot has changed since 2005 when its final episode aired, but my reaction to it certainly hasn’t. I’m not going to lie, I was a blubbering wreck.




Anyone else find it somewhat hilarious that Alan Ball went on to create True Blood?

Jens, love of my life

Jens, light of my life, haunter of my dreams. It's been so long. So long. You moved from Sweden to Melbourne and I thought your presence in my life would be stronger. How long and cold the nights have been while I waited.

I started imagining what it would be like to be devoted to other men. Spencer Krug certainly filled part of the void you'd left in my heart. But then, in the depths of Canberra winter, when almost all hope was gone, you came back to me and warmed the cockles of this hardening heart.

Jens Lekman is releasing a new ep through Secretly Canadian titled "An Argument with Myself". It's due to be released in the US and UK on the 19th of September and you can pre-order it here.

The title track is great.

Jens Lekman - An Argument With Myself by DOJAGSC

Winter suddenly seems less harsh.

Xx

Fresh Prince

Saturday night is going to be a doosy. I'm going to be all glamorous and shit at Lifeline Canberra's annual ball, and there's going to be a dirty big party at Transit Bar where Purple Sneakers are launching their new night "Fresh Prince". Who was at Transit Bar last Saturday for the most epic Strangeways of all time? That shit was crazy. Transit went mental and now the standard has been set, I'm sure this Saturday will be no different.

Fresh Prince is a band night, therefore different from the DJ fueled indie dance party we've come to expect from the Sneakers crew. Bands will play and their set will be judged based on how cute the boys in the band are. Oh, that's only me? Awkward.

This edition of Fresh Prince features Deep Sea Arcade and Fun Machine. It's on Saturday night and it's $15 on the door, unless you mention our blog and then it's only $10! Bargain!

For more information check out the Fresh Prince Launch Facebook link:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=214054511973829


BANDS: Deep Sea Arcade, Fun Machine
DJs: M.I.T (SYD), Architect DJs, Princi, Celebrity Sex Tape.


SET TIMES:
8PM ........Celebrity Sex Tape
9.............Fun Machine LIVE
930.........Celebrity Sex Tape
10...........Deep Sea Arcade LIVE
1045.......M.I.T
12AM......Princi
1.............M.I.T
2.............Architect DJs
3.............Close


Deep Sea Arcade Songs
"Lonely In Your Arms"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpDma2d2FKY


"Don't Be Sorry"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urFiQ3m99N8


See you there hipsters.

Xx

Love is you

Love is you, charming prince.

Oh yes, love is also you. But I can't be sure until you take off your shirt...

My heart is yours, wild beast.

Mmm, love is you.

Especially with horse.

No, love is YOU.

Love is nerd.

Yeah? Well, shut up...

Freddo; you are mine

I ran a relapse prevention group on Tuesday using Freddo frogs. I gave each of the drug affected young people I work with a Freddo and made them sit it in front of them. We then went around the room telling our favourite story involving Freddo frogs. Which led on to our talk about what we enjoy most when eating Freddos, talk about how they taste, how delicious they are when they melt on your tongue, the difference between Freddos and other types of chocolate and generally how much we all just freaking love Freddos.

Then, every odd person in our group was allowed to eat the feet of their Freddo, stop, and tell everyone else how amazing it tasted. The purpose of the group (in case you hadn't reached it yet), is to discuss urges and cravings: what triggers us, what makes it worse and how much control we have when confronted with a substance we're trying to control. The young people ate their chocolate, most while simultaneously rolling their eyes when they figured out why we talked for an hour about how much we love Freddos, and I left the room feeling a little like a teen drug and alcohol treatment rock star.

Until one of my darlings walked into my office and...


"Jaimie, aren't you supposed to be vegan this week?"
"Yes you inspirational young person overcoming drug abuse, indeed I am."
'Then why do you have a Freddo frog wrapper in your bin?"

Yeah? Well shut up.

Beer; you are mine

Friday afternoon rolls around and so does that sacred time where you drink beer and debrief about the crazy week you've just had. I happily sitting in front of the fire sipping away at my pint when suddenly...

"Jaimie, aren't you supposed to be vegan this week?"
"Yeah, it's been generally pretty good. Not as hard as I thought it would be."
"Oh, you do realise that when filtering beer, brewers will often use animal products?"

Yeah? Well, shut up.

I ate you, fishy

On Friday evenings at happy hour at Tillies, Tom will usually orchestrate the purchase of some Salmon pate and fresh warm bread. It came out, was placed in front of an already fairly inebriated Jaimie which was followed with...

"Hahaha, Jaimie you're the worst vegan ever! I can't believe you just ate SALMON PATE!"


Yeah? Well, shut up.

Soy sauce; you are mine too

As the night progressed we moved on to one of my friendship groups favourite restaurants, Tu Do at O'Connor shops. I ordered fresh vegetarian spring rolls and a vegetable dish for Vanessa and I. The food came out and looked amazing, as always. We were about to hack into it when our recently un-veganed friend Tim questions....

"I assume you know that many brands of soy sauce have animal products in it. You checked with the waiter before ordering, right?"


Yeah? Well, shut up.

Mm, cocktails: you are mine!

A few hours and numerous vegan approved glasses of wine later, we found ourselves at Knightsbridge ordering cocktails. I found myself wondering if the spirits used in our drinks were animal product free, to which I replied...

"Jaimie, you've failed at being a vegan epically."

One of my friends joked that we should rename this week Vegan Failure week. But I don't think it's been a total failure. It's been very difficult, especially when drunk and then consequentially hungover the day after. It's made me think a lot more about what I put into my body, where it comes from and what that means for the environment. While I won't be remaining vegan, I've decided that I'm going to commit to ethical eating practices.

I'd also like to add that Vanessa was a much better vegan than I was.

Vegan Jaimie Reports: A Leek and Burghul Burger Story

Hey everyone! My name's Jaimie and this week I'm a vegan. This is a picture of me that my best friend Vanessa drew. She's a vegan this week too. She's also an artist. Vegan's are like natures super heroes. If they were on the TV show Heroes, the character who had vegan super powers would be able to read minds. Animal minds. And they'd have a beard that collects wisdom.

Oh hey Vanessa! Good job peeling those potatoes! She made some really delicious sweet potato and normal potato chips. I hate peeling potatoes.

Tonight I made Vanessa and my super cool house mate Tom leek and burghul burgers. These are the leeks I used. Yum! Leek! If vegan's had a police force, they would use leeks as batons. They look scary, but if used to hit someone/something, it wouldn't really hurt.

This is the burghul I used. I'd never heard of burghul until Monday when Vanessa made a really amazing Red Pepper soup for dinner. I had to soak it for 10 minutes in water. I hate waiting.

This is a picture of one of my leek and burghul patties. In this light it kind of looks like a meat patty. This is not a meat patty.

My recipe for this burger included:

• 2x leeks, roughly chopped and sauteed until soft


• 1 cup of burghul, soaked in 1 and a half cup of water for 10 minutes


• red onion


• some curry powder


• Tabasco sauce


• chili flakes


• lemon juice


• plain flour

I can't tell you how much of the above stuff went into it, because I cook with my heart and judge the quantities with my soul. I served the burgers with multi-grain toast, organic tomato, rocket and spicy red sauce. I was so excited when they were finished that I forgot to take a picture. I needed to show you guys though, so I created a non-bread burger version of my meal.

That J you can see stands for Jaimie. Master Jaimie.

This week rocks.

Xx

Jaimie and Vanessa: Spotlight on VEGAN CHALLENGE

Vanessa: Some call us crazy. Some call us...

Katherine: Some call you fucking idiots

Jaimie: Katherine! You're not a millionaire, get outa here

Vanessa: But that's beside the point, we're here to talk to you about our Vegan Challenge week!

Jaimie: Yeah! Challenge!

Jaimie: Hey Ness, if we're going to be vegan for awhile, will we be like the Vegan Vixens?

The Vegan Vixens: a group of babes who use their bodies to coerce guys to become vegans AND stop dog fighting

Vanessa: Well clearly yes. Doesn't everyone turn into a babe when they go vegan?

Jaimie: Well actually, I have a secret confession to make...

Vanessa: What?

Jaimie: I have a crush on at least 5 vegan hipster babes

Vanessa: Who?! Can you even name 5 people who are vegans?

Jaimie: .....

Vanessa: Ha!

Jaimie: Well I imagine them to be babes, okay? Long hair, beard, over developed sense of righteousness...

Vanessa: Anyway, how are we actually going to do this?

Jaimie: Drink soy milk and shit?

Vanessa: Ugh

Jaimie: Okay, so for one week we're going to be inspired by vegan food blogs and all things healthy and environmentally sound. Maybe we'll go for two?!

Vanessa: ... Let's see how one goes

Jaimie: But we'll blog about it?

Vanessa: Of course!

Jaimie: We're going to need a lot of help

Vanessa: Mm, we'd be super grateful if people could send us their favourite vegan recipes and vegan food blogs!

Jaimie: Yes! Challenge commenced!!!! Let the soy be plentiful!

Canberra punks

Today I was alerted to the best Facebook group EVER, by the one and only Useless Lines. I may be overstating this, but it is pretty great. Canberra Punk & Beyond is dedicated to the Canberra underground scene from 1977 - 1992. Essentially it's a collection of photos of the people and places, who for their moment in time were Canberra.

These are just some of my favourite photos, but you should check out the Facebook group where there are many more and find out how rad Canberra really was.

Mad Crush Monday: A Lesson

I'm sick at the moment. I know what you're thinking, "Whinge some more Jaimie! You didn't do enough in your last post". But hold up! Give a lady a chance, I'm setting the scene.

So as I was saying, I'm sick at the moment. This means I feel entitled to read love stories, eat trash and watch A LOT of television all in the name of illness eradication. This round of highly reputable, Jaimie specific treatment has raised my attention to TWO mad crushes and ONE MAJOR GRIPE!!!!

Let's start with this week's man (heh, men) of my dreams:

1) Theodore Laurence the III (aka, Laurie, Teddy and 'my boy') from the book Little Women, which I am currently re-reading in accordance with my treatment plan; section 1) read love stories.

Oh Laurie, fire of my loins! Now, to be honest, I didn't imagine you quite like Christian Bale, but dear God young man! You'll do!

Let me list the things I love about you Theodore;

• You are a gentlemanly rogue (Vanessa and I have spoken about our love for this type before), only you're more of a gentleman than a rogue, but enough of a rogue to be hella attractive


• Laurie my darling, you know how to flirt! You send flowers and chocolates and dresses, you take your lovers on long walks and make comments like "It won't do you a bit of good, Jo. My eye is on you; so watch what you do, or I'll come and bring you home". Oh swoon! A man who takes charge and knows what he wants


• You are charming; both with words and looks


• You are a man of means; myself and our beautiful offspring will be very comfortable in your gigantic estate


• You are a genuinely nice chap; a handsome, college educated man with morals?! Oh I rest my case, aren't you in love with him now too?

2) Josh Lyman from the West Wing (a show which incidentally has magical healing properties)

Best photo ever?

I found a direct correlation with feelings of happiness and the theme music to the West Wing when recovering from my surgery a few months ago. What did this lead to? Me watching six and a half seasons of the West Wing since mid April. Do the math people. I'm amazed I don't have bed sores.

Josh Lyman is no Sam Seaborn. But my goodness he has true grit. Let's explore:

• Starting with the basics; Josh Lyman isn't afraid to stand up and fight for what he believes in. This will usually involve yelling. I like my men to be loud


• He has a smile what makes you question whether he's feeling warm towards you, or simply making fun of you for not possessing his amazing political mind. Teasing can be an endearing version of foreplay


• He knows politics; for someone like me who pretends to be watching Q & A, when they are actually dreaming about fictitious dream boats, this quality is very attractive


• He has a receding hair line; "what?!" I see you all gasp. I've discovered I seem to have matured from boys in black skinny jeans to men with receding hair lines. It has been speculated that baldness is an evolutionary event that signifies maturity and conveys greater authority on affected men. And heaven forbid if my man has better hair than I do. Seeing as how I'm all mature and shit now, it makes sense that I'd be more attracted to authoritative men, then mopey boys in testicle crushing jeans
  

So, time for my serious gripes:

1) Laurie is in love with Jo March for AGES and when he finally confesses his undying love Jo tells him that she only loves him as a friend. Well, based on the above argument Jo is clearly insane, but does Laurie shake it off and find another well deserving lass? NO! HE MARRIES HER SISTER!!!!!!!! God damn it!!!!!!

2) Now, keeping in mind that I'm only midway through season six: we've established that Josh Lyman is a go getter and a very suitable candidate as a number 1 love interest. Donna Moss has been in love with Josh since season 1 and Josh CLEARLY has had feelings for her for sometime. Hello, flying to Germany after the whole Gaza Strip business!?! WHY HAVEN'T YOU TOLD HER YOU LOVE HER YET? It's driving me CRAZY! I start each episode this season with "Okay West Wing, Donna and Josh are going to get together this episode, bring it!", and then no. They never do! And I'm left going, "Okay, one more episode because Donna and Josh are going to get together THIS episode". See?!?! Crazy!!!!!!

So my gripe is this: Mad Crush Monday's of past and future; for the love of all things good and proper, be assertive.

You stop being hot when you become a pussy.

Xx

Playing dress ups

Loving this blog right now Dress, Memory by Lorelai Vashti. A freelance writer and editor living in Melbourne, Lorelai started this project as a way to record her favourite dresses and the memories associated with them.

Photography by Lee Sandwith

She writes so elegantly and honestly about her life, the experiences and the often painful memories that accompany these dresses and these moments in time. People often tell you their incredibly personal stories on the internet and sometimes there is nothing worse, nothing more excruciating than reading about the life of someone you care nothing about. But sometimes, when executed correctly and in such a simple and beautifully written narrative there is nothing better. Personal stories become universal stories and a connection is made. This blog has such a simple idea, but I really dig it.

Anyway, enough. Go read it for yourself and see if you agree or disagree with me.

A New Year

I've just turned 25. Screw new year resolutions and celebrations, I'm all about personal new years and life anniversaries. In my opinion, people aren't good at celebrating birthdays. We give presents, usually eat food and that's about it (not that I'm against these things). It's my belief that birthdays should be a time to reflect on what you've experienced, what you've achieved and what you've failed; what's gone into making the version of yourself you are on this particular day.

When I was a teenager each year on my birthday I would write a letter to my future self. The letters were usually filled with dreams, desires to be with whomever the cute boy I had a crush on at that time was, and hopes that on my birthday next year I would be a happier more confident version of myself. I guess some things never change.

I've had a big year. I wrote a thesis, I painfully fell out of love, I changed jobs, I moved home, I had surgery, I experienced confusion like I never had before, I learnt how to keep secrets, and I missed my ex-boyfriends. A lot. It's generally been pretty rough.

I had a wonderful talk to my grandmother tonight. We mused on potential life choices and the end of my recent relationship. She wisely reminded me that things happen for a reason, and that life is good provided you're able to find joy in what you're doing. She described wild tales of her debaucherous youth and her tendency to run from cute boys when they started to get serious. After her stories she set me straight, she said, "Jaimie, you'll find the right one and you'll stop running. You will just know and it will be everything you've ever wanted and never realised". She's been married to my grandfather for 54 years.

I guess you could say I'm pretty lost at the moment, though her kind words reminded me that as long as I'm enjoying what I can about my situation and where I'm at with life, I am still able to grow.

I fucked a lot of things up this year. But all my fuck ups, all my confusion, all my fear and all my joy has lead me to be who I am now and that's kind of worth celebrating.

So yeah, birthday's are kind of a big deal to me. I really hope they are to you too. If they're not, do me a favour and reflect on why you are awesome and what lead you to be as awesome as you are. Because you are amazing. Even if it's only because you've read to the end of this post.

Xx

Why you so hot?

Current babes in my life:

Why hello, Cardinal Borgia.

The Borgias is a weird show, I think I like it, but I think that is only because of this babe. Seriously, he is ridiculous.

Jon Snow from Game of Thrones. So broody and furrowed of brow. I love my babes to be always concerned.
Also, bonus. With this picture you get a future babe. Obviously too creepy right now.

I find this very funny, you may not.
Despite a preference for turtlenecks in this movie, FASSBENDER is a new babe. Except when he smiles, that shit is scary.

See?

in Canberra & in miniature

Currently on exhibition at Bilk Gallery in Manuka, in Canberra & in Miniature. Bilk Gallery in Manuka is a contemporary metal and glass gallery, an extension of Workshop Bilk in Queanbeyan. They are primarily a jewelery gallery, but also occassionally do exhibitions focusing on other aspects of metal and glass.

Mel George, The Gift, 2011

For in Canberra & in Miniature, some of Canberra’s most established glass artists have created exquisite miniatures of their larger works specifically for this exhibition.

Scott Chaseling, Matt Curtis, Mel George, Jacqueline Knight, Brian Corr and Mikki Trail have produced beautiful, delicate, alluring miniatures, which can be seen now at Bilk Gallery.

I started working for Bilk a couple of months ago and I'm really loving it, drop on by to see some incrediably beautiful and innovative design. You should have a look at our fabulous new blog as well!

Set yourself a goal

At some point in the last year, I became a writer. I have no idea how this happened, I have never thought of myself as a very good writer despite having completed 4 years of an arts degree. I have also never thought that writing would be a huge part of my life once I finished uni, but that has definitely changed. Writing is by no means everything I do and I certainly still have a lot to learn, but I am really excited about doing so.

To set myself a challenge and help improve my writing skills, I have signed up for National Young Writers Month. To register for NYWM you have to set yourself a writing goal for the month of June, then with the support and encouragement of Express Media you will be able to achieve your goal.

My writing goals are:

~ Write 5 blog posts per week (considering I haven't done even one post for quite sometime will make this goal very interesting...prepare to be bombarded!)
~ Submit one journal article
~ Write reviews/thoughts etc about every exhibition I attend during June

What I love about this idea is that the scope of who qualifies as a "writer" is so broad and inclusive. You can be a novelist, journalist, poet, blogger, government policy writer, editor, playwright, scriptwriter for film or TV, copywriter and I'm sure I've missed some out. It is a great incentive to challenge yourself and accomplish some goals you may have been putting off for awhile.

Hopefully by posting this I will feel even more bound to achieve my goals, since I have expressed them into the ether. Good luck to everyone and if you haven't already, sign up for NYWM here.

Mad Crush Monday: Noel Fielding

I've been meaning to write about how my friends and I have just rediscovered the Mighty Boosh and then I found this...

...and I had an argument with myself about whether it was any good.

I was all:

"This is brilliant! Hang on. No, this is weird and messed up. No Jaimie, it's genius! Did you see that cartwheel?! Pfft, I can do cartwheels. No Jaimie, you're a cripple and don't have a functioning left arm, remember? Oh yeah. In a weird kind of way, Noel Fielding is a babe. Agreed."

Ergo, Mad Crush Monday.

Thao and Mirah

Check me out people. I'm having a post-extravaganza!!!

This will be short and sweet. My lovely boyfriend was all romantic and junk last week and burnt me some surprise CD's. One of these was Thao Nguyen and Mirah's collaboration (Thao and Mirah) which was released on the 26th of April. It's just gorgeous. Check it out, it'll make a few end of year lists me thinks.

Thao & Mirah "How Dare You" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

On that note, May the 4th be with you. Hehehehehehe.

Marriage (Star Slinger Remix)

Fuck me, this is awesome:

Gold Panda - Marriage (Star Slinger Remix) OFFICIAL from How Do I Computer on Vimeo.

Gold Panda's Lucky Shiner was one of my favourite releases of last year. I'm still not entirely sold on this whole dub step business, but following Gang Gang Dance's new album and this remix, I'm feeling a whole lot warmer about the whole thing.

The stunning clip of the remix by Star Slinger was composed by visual artist Anze Sekelj and photographer Lucijan Kranjc, who as a team go by the name "How Do I Computer".

It's so beautiful. I've been trying to think up a good analogy for the clip to convince you to watch it, but I'm not clever enough to do it justice. So, just watch it. Or you be a fool.

I think you are hellof neat

It's true. I love you all, although I've had difficulty showing it these past few weeks.

I'm disabled at the moment having lost the function of one arm after soul destroying shoulder surgery. I'm filling my time with the West Wing, new music and raunchy books. This aspect of my life could be worse.

Expect my posts to be sparse on words, though more frequent.

Perhaps.

Xx

Before I die...

One of the many charming men I have in my life brightened my day on Monday by alerting me to a rather spectacular community initiative. Before I Die is the work of Candy Chang, a public installation artist who has a strong social conscience and a desire to make her community a more livable place. Essentially, she's used a stencil to create an enormous blackboard on which people create a collective list documenting their hopes for their lives.

Her words to describe her work are thus:

"Before I Die transforms neglected spaces into constructive ones where we can learn the hopes and aspirations of the people around us."

Before

After

Once the board is full she documents the responses and wipes it clean. On the website they mention the possibility of collating them into a book.

Not only does this project help to clean up the community appearance, it brings people together and gets them thinking about what's really important to them. It's an exercise in refocusing and as a supporter of all things "social change" and "positive psychology", I think it's marvelous.