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Life, Culture and Politics from BrisVegas
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Frist.
How about a celebration of a century of flight in Australia, thanks to Mr Harry Houdini?
It’s a beautiful night here tonight. I had a class in the city and decided to leave the car on the edge of the parklands and stroll into town, I love autumn evenings. Of course, knowing that I would be strolling back into the pitch black night, I felt it wise to wander back via Mary Martin’s so I could purchase enough books to clobber anyone who might jump out from amongst the Moreton Bay figs and attempt to molest me. Yes-sir-ee, those books were essential to my safety, I’m sure of it.
I need to read a bunch of reports this weekend, so hopefully someone rings and gives me some kind of escape route from that tedium.
I’ll also need to rummage through the vinyl so I can play tribute to the wonderful Alex Chilton, who sadly passed away this week. Alex was in the Box Tops and Big Star.
Oh, and I’m pretty sure at least one South Australian beat Harry Houdini to the honours of ‘the first powered flight in Australia’. It was only a day or so earlier, but still…..
http://blogs.fcug.net/5-dme_adelaide/2010/01/100th-anniversary-of-the-first.html
There’s severe doubt about the truth of Custance’s claims (lack of witnesses for a start), and Wittber can claim only a hop. If you accept that as a controlled, powered flight (all three words are important) then Colin Defries (Sydney, 9 December 1909) has a better claim as first to fly. No matter who it was: the parochialism of such arguments is half the fun!
Ah yeah, right, “controlled flight”. Sorry, I missed that. My mistake.
Mike Patton’s long-awaited Mondo Cane comes out soon and has already received a good review, “Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane, An Inventive Love Letter to Morricone”:
http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/off-the-record/first-listen-mike-patton-mondo-cane-italian-pop-orchestral/
I haven’t looked at the state election partisan alignments as indicated by polls. But my current thinking is that the ALP is the Natural Party of Government unless the one in office
– is thoroughly discredited by corruption
– been there for longer than three electoral cycles
– is in the midst of a major economic recession
None of these conditions pertain in SA or TAS so far as I am aware. These states also appear to have a high single mother ratio, always a predictor of high ALP vote.
So I predict close ALP victories.
If that is in fact the case then we are looking at the ALP one-party-state theory, since Rudd will clean up Abbott in 2010 federal election.
Google set to quit from China April 10.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20000757-93.html
@7 so then Jack, which country are you gunna move to?
Seems our charming and literate Watkin Tench, a chronicler of the early years of European settlement here, was the cousin of the notorious Banastre Tarleton, upon whom the evil British redcoat in Mel Gibson’s The Patriot, the recent unhistorical movie on the American Revolution of some years ago was based. Just sayin’.
#2 Aw man, did Alex Chilton finally take that fast train? Shit.
Well at least Paul Westerberg wrote a great song about him. Not too many people can claim that distinction.
p.s. — if anyone here knows why it would be funny to see Paul Westerberg and Iggy Pop on tour together, you win the rest of my box of raisins as a prize.
Weekends are not long enough…. I’m going to see the Pixies on Monday night and feeling a bit apprehensive about how I’ll make it through the rest of the week…
I’m no fan of Christopher Hitchens but have developed a kind of morbid fascination for The Oz which is available free in the cafe where I routinely eat lunch. The following jaw dropper by Hitchens made the price of the sandwich really worth the visit. It seems that no less a figure than the Vatican’s chief exorcist now discerns that “the Devil is at work inside the Vatican”, and that “when one speaks of `the smoke of Satan’ in the holy rooms, it is all true, including these latest stories of violence and pedophilia”.
And that is from the chief exorcist. Recruiting more soon I guess.
Can’t wait for St. Peter’s Basilica to be covered in green slime.
Hi Paul. Yes, and heads to start revolving on necks as well. Looks lite its gonna be the full circus.
Don’t know much about Tasmania, other than the anti-green campaigning seems to at least partially have worked and the State appears headed for minority government at best.
In South Australia, some fearless predictions…
– Labor to lose at least 6 seats, and possibly as many as 8
– One or both of the apparently “safe” seats of Adelaide (10.5%) and Florey (12%)will be Liberal gains
– Labor to regain Mitchell from the Independent Kris Hanna
– The whole shooting match to potentially come down to Bob Such, ex-Liberal and Independent MP for Fisher
…and the final outcome to be a Liberal Government totally unprepared to govern.
other than the anti-green campaigning seems to at least partially have worked
That’s very sad. it’s a shame these tactics work on people the way they do, given that it’s not an outcome of genuine debate but cynical manipulation, and as such isn’t going to lead to any useful outcome, just more of the same.
@13 Laura, say hi to Kim for me. Wish I was going…
Well, I get the feeling Obama is going to get his healthcare package passed, and can I just say, I look forward the Republicans eating that moment. eating it *hot*.
Like the Tories here, they really need a good sharp reminder that they *lost* the last election, and aren’t in charge, and no amount of huffing and media driven panic-creation will change that for now.
Helen @ 18 it is sad and it is a shame, but we need to take heart in a steady if small growth. Those sort of tactics make me want to donate a bit more and get involved. I am in SA but my wife and I would like to retire in Tassie. We want Devils and unpolluted creeks and rivers and untouched forests in 12yrs time.
Panic this morning when my vintage port brew was down to 7.5 B from 12 B last night. That is the fortifiction point and no breakfast yet. Relaxed a bit when the temp was high giving a lower Baume. Shoved it in the shed fridge at max while cooked and ate an omelette. Two hours of straining, pressing, spilling, messing and measuring later had 14 litres of Vintage port in demijohns back in the shed fridge for settling. Tastes bloody good too. Better do another lot next week.
Have fun Laura. I missed out on tickets to the Pixies, they sold out Thebbie Theatre. Bloody unpredictable Adelaideans, usually the population most likely to leave their ticket purchases to the last minute, they can occasionally surprise with their enthusiasm for certain bands.
jpz @ 12, I give up.
I hope your ‘feeling’ is spot on LE cause it is really big stakes for Obama. Watching PBS Newshour tonight you get a sobering picture of the future facing some 34 waivering Democrats, several of whom have supposedly switched to support the bill but who’se electorates are vociferously opposed. I think it will pass by a handful of votes and those brave enough to defy their voters may suffer badly come November. You wonder if the Prez can offer them some sort of life after politics.
Just back from Etihad Stadium where I saw Sydney FC win the Premiership on penalties. I am not too distraught by the result as I am more of a supporter of the sport as a whole. While I was supporting Melbourne Victory a Sydney win is a fillip for that city where supporters tend to follow success.
Mirabile dictu! I just found an intelligent opinion piece on a News Limited site!
S.A. Attorney-General Michael Atkinson to quit front bench
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/troubled-attorney-general-michael-atkinson-to-quit-front-bench/story-e6frf7jx-1225843386675
I just thought I’d remind the LP crowd that today, 21.3.10 is the 50th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre.
Amandla!
Am just about to start cooking a new stockpot experiment, with two turkey legs, boiled potatoes, onions. carrots, salary mushrooms and Italian diced tomatoes.
Also, today I just got abook published in 1925, with some of the pages still uncut. Will have to find my paper knife. Its around here somewhere.
There’s this volcanic eruption in Iceland that could be a precursor to a somewhat extensive environmental disaster.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article7070239.ece
This is a pretty good video of the Icelandic volcanic eruption.
Speaking of volcanic eruptions, the film “2012″ is a barrel of exploding monkeys. It has the best CGI Mother Earth tantrums. The plot is a load of old cobblers – as you’d expect. But there’s some very crisp narrative dialogue – not least delivered in great cameos by Woody Harrelson as an internet conspiracy nutter (WHO WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG YOU LYING CRUNTS!!) and Oliver Platt as a ruthless but funny Gov fixer.
Dunno about you, but I do like a good big budget disaster epic now and then (like a reeking souvlaki at a drunken 4am) – and 2012 massively delivers all the expected memes and tropes that you’ve to come to expect from such a genre. But in a sharp knowing 21st century way.
The fact you can pause its set pieces to realise they were deliberately quoting paintings by John Martin and the Hudson River School is just a great transcendental landscape appreciation nerd bonus.
Another interesting point about 2012 is how it naturally assumes its audience would accept how America, China, India and Russia would all cheerfully collaborate on big science issues – that then get privatised. And it’s also full of other sly geo-political allusions.
It’s not a great film but it’s very smart about what people really want out of disaster movies.
Though I hafta say John Cusack’s quizzical and baffled everyman persona wore rather thin throughout 2012. As it has been lately in many other fillums John.
C’mon, you’ve made enough money now. Let’s get back to the John Cusack behind The Grifters, Max and Gross Pointe Blank. A man baffled by living with a dark heart in a dark world. Unlike his sister who brilliantly played songbirds flying above the damage.
Also Jacques De Molay @6, thanks for hipping me to Mike Patton’s experiments in Italian grand guignol pop. I just love the original stuff and Mike wonderfully reanimates it with immense style.
“…Italian grand guignol pop…”
One of my favourites from that era.
Also check out Piero Piccioni’s work too. The Monkees to Morricone’s Beatles.
And I do need to put in a word here for Morrricone’s underappreciated soundtrack for ‘Burn’.
And Brando is also great in it too, not least ‘cos he does a upper-middle pre-RP English accent really well – which is not as easy as it sounds, even for the locals.
And when it comes to slinky sexy late 60s film music, we should also recognise some great Brit masters.
and
John Barry is in the house! Not to mention Harry Palmer was the best in a long line of Brit action heros seducing women with knowledge of good food and wine. And coffee.
And given Caine is now doing the aging vigilante in ‘Harry Brown”, when the fuck is the Beeb or Channel Four or whoever gonna turn Michael Gilbert’s elegantly nasty Mr Calder and Mr Behrens short stories about a duo of aging, gentlemanly yet still tough and ruthless spooks into a nice tasty 13 episode series starring Caine and John Hurt? With Rasselas, the giant Persian wolfhound that’s preternaturally empathetic.
Some more examples of John Barry’s amazing range as a film composer.
From this:
to this:
Zulu Cowboy. Now there’s a high concept idea just waiting for the right theme music. I see Jamie Foxx and Jude Law. And lots of horses.
OK, now safe for the rest of you to comment on this thread again. I’m retiring for the night with a loaded coffee plunger under my pillow.
Just watched the trailer of 2012. Scary stuff, if you believe it. Also some weird 6 part doco on 2012. Will go to bed soon and have nightmares.
Have to agree with Nabs re: 2012. I mean, (spoiler alert, if anyone cares) it has a freakin’ aircraft carrier smashing sideways into the White House! That is just awesome, even if you aren’t 12 any more.
Fading fast…third bottle of plonk kicking in…can barely see…or reach keyboard…sinister white robed figures closing in…must enter URL…for…
…and hit submit…before soul is stolen…by devil cult…
Just injected with mystery potion…by hooded doctor…only a have few minutes…of…consciousness…..left.
Yes Brett, 2012 was rattlingly good simple hearty fun wasn’t it. Especially with yer thumb firmly clamped on fast forward during all the relationship bits. ‘When Worlds Collide’ for a smartarse 21st century.
…really…fading…now…can’t…answer…any… more…questions…about….how…I…built….interocitor…
In the past half hour i have discovered Web Bot. Claims world will end on 21 December 2012. I was disappointed. It didn’t give a time. (one likes to be ready for these things.) Further investigation revealed it had that hallmark of all bad prophecy – absolute vagueness. I prefer Nostradamus and his prophecy of a Muslim invasion and 27 year occupation of Europe, to be honest. Lasts longer and you’ve got time to watch it happen. (And, rather impressively, Nostrodamus apparently did predict 9/11. Did a drawing and everything.That is, if you can trust everything you read on the internet.)
PS. I’m having an insomnia attack.
“Claims world will end on 21 December 2012. I was disappointed. It didn’t give a time.”
It’ll be after lunch. It always is.
I’m also going to make a prediction. Nothing will happen (apart from a lot of people on a couple of Facebook groups being very disappointed)repeat, absolutely nothing will happen on 21 December 2010. Mind you the idea of the sun being sucked into a black hole on the Milky Way is a very imaginative way to end the universe. I am impressed by that.
Oops! I meant 2012. my prediction @ 45 was wrong.
“I’m also going to make a prediction…absolutely nothing will happen on 21 December 2010.”
Easy for you to say. If yer wrong, it’s not like anyone will be around to rub yer nose in it.
True. But if I’m right, I’ll be known the world over as a very accurate psychic.
“I’ll be known the world over as a very accurate psychic.”
So, no need to hire a receptionist then?
Of course you should hire a receptionist. It will help Rudd’s economic recovery. Yer don’t need a psychic to tell you that. Rub Abbott’s nose in it.
I also watched the trailer to Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood. looks good.
I knew yer were gonna say that.
Now terminally flaking out to strains of Bjork’s cooler older sister.
That was quite impressive, Nabs. I forgotto put my earphones on before I clicked on it. Hope i didn’tv wake the bloke next door. I’m off to check some videos on Spartacus Blood and Sand. Some Americans I chat to on a military history blog reckon its pretty good. Though by the sounds of it, we won’t see the uncut version it out here because it’ll get an R rating.
Gawd! Its a bit like 300 Spartans using real actors.
I got crash. Starting to get sleepy.
Hi LP: my virus detector is going nuts on the site today. Every time I click on LP I get “explot crimepack explot kit (type 766)” warning!
Mine too. Warns me there’s some kind of phishhing expedition for identity theft going on. (and I hope. blocks it.)
“Warns me there’s some kind of phishhing expedition for identity theft going on.”
I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you.
One of the ads tried to send people to a file, which alerts virus/spyware programmes. We had it fixed as soon as we became aware of the problem. There wasn’t a genuine phishing threat, in all likelihood, just some scrappy code. Anyway, shouldn’t happen again.
Paul Burns @ 57,
I won’t.
Mate, it’s not identity thieves you’ve got to worry about.
Let me just warn all you blokes against letting your guard down around Swedes, that’s all I’ll say about that.
The Rio Tinto executives under trial in Shanghai are caught in an unholy mess.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/highranking-billionaire-linked-to-rio-bribe-case-20100323-qu5h.html
The trail might yet expose links to relatives of President HU.Very dangerous territory to have wandered into.
The article also details an example of a common practice in the chinese business sphere – setting up your own company controlled by your family members to deal with your employer.
Can’t wait to see the movie.
It is an interesting story murph. I just left a comment over at Crikey about an aspect of the case that has worried me.
In all the media discussion of Stern Hu and the suggestion that he has pleaded guilty to bribery, not once have I heard, that if he did – which is based on a bit of hearsay from a carefully selected few within a closed court, anyway – he might be just playing for the shortest sentence in a rotten and corrupted system.
It would be very silly to deny all guilt if the inevitable result of such a stance is a very lengthy time in jail. Much better to accept what the man with key says you did when you can tell he will never agree he has made a mistake.
This was no ordinary court of justice and it would be good to keep an open mind about Mr Hu.
Have I fixed up my field yet?
Let’s see. THis is taking me days.
Lets see if I can do this without the field disappearing next time I check it.
Once more to the breach dear friends.
(fellow Lp-ers don’t mind me. My computer is not obeying orders and I’m trying to teach it something. Like, how to register all me details.
One more time.
Last time, I promise. I’ll give up if this doesn’t work
I’m lost
Why can’t I get my blog address to stay in thevfield? Just sadsking, but I’m finding it really frustrating. One of these computer things, you know?
FYI
http://www.france24.com/en/20100323-uk-expel-israeli-diplomat-hamas-killing-miliband-dubai
Britain expels Israeli diplomat re passport affair.
Paul
The default text has the field balnk on display (possibly for privacy reasons if you’re at a public PC, but if you click Change next to your name string following the string “Welcome back” you should see your details retained in the text input fields.
True, Fran. But when I put them in they disappear, I think. Thsat seems to be my problem, but thanks anyway.
Getting a bit tired of my turkey leg stockpot, which btw is delicious, so ame cooking up a chicken honey sou stir fry with rice and vegetables. (Plodding away on chapter 5. If I can get 3 good polished paragraphs a day when I’m writing I’m happy. Right now, I’;m about to start on second draft of para one.
Time to check my psephological predictions. On Mar 20th, 2010 at 3:58 am I predicted that the ALP would win “close victories” in both SA & TAS state elections:
– is thoroughly discredited by corruption
– been there for longer than three electoral cycles
– is in the midst of a major economic recession
None of these conditions pertain in SA or TAS so far as I am aware. These states also appear to have a high single mother ratio, always a predictor of high ALP vote.
So I predict close ALP victories.
If that is in fact the case then we are looking at the ALP one-party-state theory, since Rudd will clean up Abbott in 2010 federal election.
The results are now in and I was right. Both SA and TAS are now ruled by ALP governments who won in “close victories”. So apart from getting the QLD election wrong I have been right in every state and federal election since the turn of the millenium.
I think its time to consider that the ALP has an in-built structural electoral advantage. The Natural Party of Government leads to the One-Party State. Beware the passage of Mark Arbib…
Oh dear …
Villagers fuming after their common is handed to mine
CAMBERWELL has had a village common since the state governor granted the little stretch of flood plain around Glennies Creek to the people in 1890s. Since then villagers have kept their horses and dairy cows on the plot and their children have used the land for fishing, swimming and riding.
All that ended yesterday morning. A pair of officers from the Department of Lands arrived, called together members of the common trust, and told them the Crown land would be immediately resumed and turned over to the Ashton mine that looms over the Upper Hunter village in the form of a hollowed-out hill on the other side of the creek.
[...]
With its common gone, mining will encroach within 500 metres of the village on two sides and one kilometre on the third.
The hollowed-out hill and parts of the common have cracked as Ashton undertook blasting. In 2006 it was revealed water tanks in the village contained more than 20 times the recommended levels of lead.
[...]
This just so sad, and regrettably, it is no anomaly, though the story does capture well the notion of the mines as an aggressive disease causing necrosis within the body of the commons and driving away the people.