the vast sound of tuning out

When you get to be as old as I am, you realise that you have been listening to some music artists for over 15 years. If you’re still listening to them now, not just for nostalgia value, there’s got to be something in it.

I’ve posted about this subject before, but now I have some reasoning

The first time I remember listening to Nine Inch Nails. My dodgy school mates and myself were illegally camping over near “the cut” in Australind, and getting way too drunk for that age and causing mischief. As I was just getting out of the phase of listening to pop & rock music, and delving into heavier stuff, this seemed just like the ticket. I’ve always thought my taste in heavy music needed some sort of substance. It wasn’t just about the music, but the lyrics too. Like most music I like. This seemed to be a good fit.

Then I borrowed The Downward Spiral from Daniel, and thought this was one of my new favourite bands.

Over the last 15 years or so, I’ve only managed to see them once in concert, however the two DVD’s I have are probably the best music DVD’s I’ve ever seen (quality and content). I wouldn’t hesitate in going to see them again if they come here.

Trent Reznor has always been the main man in control of just about everything, with band members coming and going during different eras. The music style varies from incredibly poppy, to dance beats, to industrial, to heavy, to a combination of all the above, with plenty of instrumentals. After he got off the drugs, the releases started coming more than every 5 years, and in the last 5 years he has embraced the decline of the usual music release model {gone independent, releasing songs and albums for free, releasing most tracks in remixable formats (for free), using an alternative reality game to promote an album (including leaving the songs in bathrooms at concerts)}.

It seems like the focus has shifted to getting the most out of the technologies available and getting busy with it.

ie, the latest move of plotting tours, and latest album downloads with KML maps for Google Earth

Or maybe it’s just the style of artwork and photos, the live concert setups, the amazing recording studio, or everything culminated over the last 15 – 20 years that every time I see his recording studio, or photo of any kind, I imagine myself being as awesome as this collective project.

And today’s hilarious news story goes to…

Unfortunately the engagement present given to us by the Weatherill clan and Cat was not suitable for vegetarians. Shame, because it did look intriguing with all its biodiversity and fresh produceyness. 

However, not to dwell. We exchanged the voucher for an awesome tea experience. A massive box of organic and fair trade teas from the Himalayas courtesy of Hampstead Tea in London.

This arrived yesterday and we are both enjoying one now. They are delicious, incredible variety of flavours, and the taste is amazing. I’d recommend!

Thanks present-givers

Today I found out that my fiancee checks her water and oil once a week, and pumps her tyres up at the service station.

I pumped my tyres up today (for perhaps the 2nd or 3rd time in 2.5 years). Mainly because they don’t go flat, but today I noticed my left rear looking odd and it was 7psi. I think I have a slow leak in that bad boy.

As Matt can attest, we haven’t lifted the bonnets since probably the first few months of owning our cars.

I like discovery, both in a relationship and a car!

As we waited in the cold winter air, standing on a footpath in suburban Leederville, I was not sure what to expect. Another couple stood in front of us, and had buzzed the silver gate blocking all vision as to what was behind. When I read “cooking class” I had assumed a corporate office somewhere, much like a TAFE. I don’t know why, that’s just what sprang to mind. I was about to be shocked.

Nico Moretti of Urban Provider – Cooking Passions Cooking School, opened the gate and welcomed us in with a handshake and Canadian accent. We were soon to learn he was a Canadian-born Italian. I had now realised we were at a residential property, and after a quick walk in the dark down the side of the property along some stone steps, we ducked in through the side and into the house.

The first thing I saw was the massive kitchen. We had appeared halfway along the house, and the very back room was the kitchen/dining area under a spacious arched roof. The kitchen overlooked the backyard, a Bali-inspired garden with swimming pool and glass fence. We were further greeted by the dog Mooks, who was a bundle of energy, and Nico suggested we head out the back to take a look. I was feeling pretty comfortable at this point.

The other guests (attendee’s doesn’t seem to fit this style of class) began to arrive and we took places on stools around the kitchen bench. It looked like enough to seat 15. A reasonable cross section were there, some other engaged couples, or perhaps married. What seemed like two housemates, an older married couple, a mother and daughter, and an older man on his own. I had read on the web site earlier that you could bring anything you wanted to drink, but we decided not too. 

Nico began right on 7pm and after the last couple arrived as soon as he began, he restarted for their sake. We had signed up for the Indian Passions class, as it looked the most suited to vegetarians, and we both love Indian food. The class jumped right in to Nico explaining what he had on the stove in various pots, and got 2 of the dishes into action. Once he had explained what was on there and what had gone in, he stepped back and took a bit of time to explain the recipes. 

There was a lot of food to prepare, and he mentioned this was the most involved class that he runs. I can see why. I don’t know if it’s because we cook and eat so much Indian food, that I’m used to it, but it didn’t go over my head, and seemed to be easy to follow. Nico presented fairly quickly but explained everything in detail.

Everyone was pretty quiet, but after half an hour people started to loosen up (and only a couple of people had brought wine, so it wasn’t just that). Nico had people out of their seats to peer into various pots, and everyone was starting to enjoy themselves. The various scents from all the dishes was helping with that. The dishes had been taught to Nico by Latasha from Latasha’s place in Leederville, and having been there a few times, I could recognise a few of the fragrances from there.

Once the food was all prepared, we filed up and piled up our plates then sat back down to eat and drink. Of course I had to go up for seconds. We all finished up and then Nico thanked us and let us know we could escape without doing the dishes. The two hours had flown by and had been very enjoyable.

Interestingly enough, my expectations were completely wrong, as I had assumed a teacher/student style cooking school and had thought it would be hands on. Having read their web site I would have known exactly what it was but I think I preferred the surprise. It was much easier to watch what was going on, without having to make it at the same time, and Kirstie said she wouldn’t have liked it if it was hands on.

During the evening Nico mentioned his other classes (which never seemed like an “infomercial”), including Margaret River getaways, and overseas cooking trips. This could definitely be an option one day. A few questions about his life and how he got to tonight were interesting, and it was good to see a man pursuing a career that enabled him to have a family life, while indulging himself in his passion.

We left with our recipes in tow, our stomachs full of good food, and the satisfaction of a well spent evening. 

I also asked about his heavy-based saucepans (All Clad), and noticed the Thermomix on the bench. This may end up on the bench one day.

Thanks Maggie & Matt, Aaron, Jacob, Mark & Mel for the engagement present. It was well received.

And today’s bad news story goes to…

Only 1 more hurdle to go.

From msnbc:

WASHINGTON – Hillary Rodham Clinton suspended her historic campaign for the presidency on Saturday, declaring her full support for Barack Obama.

“I endorse him and throw my full support behind him,” Clinton said.

“I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party’s nominee and I intend to deliver on that promise,”

–

Now she just has to educate the majority of her supporters to not vote for something they oppose, out of spite. That’s probably a more difficult job than it should be.

I have a bit of a fear of walking along the side of the road on a footpath, when walking in the same direction as traffic. I’ll generally cross to the other side, if I can so I can see the traffic coming.

Here’s why. 

Isn’t it funny how sometimes you have heard something so much, since you were so young, that you never really looked for the meaning in it. So I did what any young googler (you like that?) would do. I decided to research it.

Money For Nothing by Dire Straits. I’ve heard it a thousand times, but never really focused until now. Strap in!

———–

This song was written after overhearing a bunch of appliance delivery guys talking. The song is written as them speaking (apparently there was a lot more swearing in real life).

Now look at them yo-yo’s that’s the way you do it 
You play the guitar on the MTV

(look at those chaps up there on the television in the band, that’s how you make it big)

That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Money for nothin’ and chicks for free

(being in a band is not working, it’s playing, easy and you get all the young ladies)

Now that ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Lemme tell ya them guys ain’t dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb

(those chaps in that band are very clever, all they’d ever get was a blister or two from their instruments)

We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV’s

(we have a lorry full of whitegoods that we need to get to the Jones’ lodging)

See the little faggot with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy that’s his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he’s a millionaire

(that lead singer up there, with the diabolical haircut, he’s quite well off)

We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV’s

(we have a lorry full of whitegoods that we need to get to the Smith’s lodging)

I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums

(I should have done something with my life to make it easier)

Look at that mama, she got it stickin’ in the camera
Man we could have some fun

(look at those breasts)

And he’s up there, what’s that? Hawaiian noises?
Bangin’ on the bongoes like a chimpanzee

(this would be so easy, i’m kind of jealous)

That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Get your money for nothin’ get your chicks for free

We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV’s, Lord

Now that ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free
Money for nothin’ and chicks for free

(we should have been in a band, instead of installing these here whitegoods. We’d have been famous and had a multitude of women-folk. Aren’t we silly)

———–

So there you have it folks! Hope that cleared things up.

I think I’m finally comfortable with the idea of having children. Of wanting children. I get excited when I know we’re going to baby sit Hattie & Grace. It’s kind of cool when someone more than 10 times younger than you thinks you are amazing.

As I’ve come to this realisation though, I’ve become very perceptive of other human behaviour. I think about what core functions a parent should deliver naturally, and how they might mould and shape their child. I look at adults, and how they act around each other. Wondering if they act like that from their parents input, or due to societal and environmental factors. This is a lot to take in.

Thinking about how many university or career bound adults now are choosing children later in life, or in some cases not at all, I’m glad our friend group is starting to get moving on having & thinking about children. 

Why you ask? Because the world needs some capable parents, some parents who will give their children the upbringing they need. Parents who don’t look out at the world and hate one another because they have a different opinion, or act petty, or think “me, me, me”. Who are focused on making their world a better place, and thinking not always about themselves. There’s not enough of them out there, and I’m glad to say I know a few. Maybe I’m even becoming one.

Families where both parents show an interest in their child, where both help out (if possible), where parents are just as excited about teaching their child as the teacher should be. Where kids don’t need to be yelled at constantly, or slapped, or swore at, or dragged around the supermarket because the parent is too lazy to bring them up without constant television.

I’m looking forward to this cycle in our collective groups lives, it can’t come soon enough as far as I’m concerned now.