More bday pics

Yeah baby.


Kate and Arajit

Kate and Angelo

AK, Steffi, Fi... great gals!

Rainy days and Mondays...

OK, so rainy days dont always get me down. I just got these pics from my housemate Angelo. We decided to go mess around in the rain. Kim was sitting on our balcony and took the pics.

Mom said...

"A cartoon in this morning's paper speaks to your project. It is titled "Zits." The teenage boy and his parents are having dinner. The father says, "Here's something funny that happened at the office today...." The teenage son interupts, "DAD! STOP!" Then the son says, "Okay, never mind. None of my business. Sorry. Do whatever you want." Dad asks, "What was that all about?" The son explains......"I just hate to see a person waste perfectly good blog material by describing his life experiences out loud."

This is the expectation of what one will read on blogs.....a person's daily life.......not news, not philosophical thoughts, not anything of any real value.......just what another person is doing which may or may not be of any interest to anyone else."

email to me Friday, April 21, 2006.

Blogs are... (orig post 19/04/06)

Having had a discussion regarding blogs last night with a friend, he pretty much summed up his opinion of blogs as being boring people writing boring stories about drinking coffee. Who cares about their mundane lives - get out and live it.

His opinion has less to do with whether or not traditional journalism will be out in 15 years, but to get an idea of how many people actually could care less about blogs or even despise them, I am going to do an email poll. Results to be published soon...

On other similar notes, I obviously happen to be a boring person writing boring things and I read other people's boring stories of their coffee breaks and came across something in an April 17, 2006, post from "Opinionistas."

"The internet serves the unique purpose of providing everyone who has access to a computer with a voice, creating channels of communication that we couldn’t even have imagined twenty years ago. It’s incredible. We can speak to each other through cyberspace with a freedom that’s never been achieved in verbal discussion. The only problem is that there’s a fine line between absorbing new perspectives and losing faith in our species. The more we learn about each other, the less we want to know."

(For the full post: Opinionistas)
For citing purposes: "Damage." Opinionistas. < http://opinionistas.com/2006/04/17/damage/ > (assessed April 20, 2006).

Finally, in more random news (going closer to my polling idea), I came across the following information in my Ed2010 newsletter:

New York magazine
Just Asking…
April 24, 2006 issue
http://www.nymetro.com/news/intelligencer/16737/index.html

A random survey of 100 pedestrians in Union Square on news, celebrities, and (allegedly) crooked gossip columnists.

Which news source do you trust the most?
The Times. . . 73
The Post. . . .10
Us Weekly . . . 7
The Daily News 6
Blogs . . . . . 2
Other . . . . . 2

Where do you go to get your gossip?
“Page Six” . . . . . . 29
Blogs . . . . . . . . 22
“Boldface Names” . . . 8
“Rush and Molloy” . . 7
People . . . . . . . . 4
Us Weekly . . . . . . 4
I don’t ever read gossip. . . 19
Other . . . . . . . . 7

.....

So according to this info - blogs are not trusted news sources, but they are great for gossip. Hmmmm.... point to the opposition. Traditional journalism will be here in 15 years.

Internet KOs Magazine (orig post 04/04/06)

I received this in a newsletter that hits my inbox daily:

***

Ellegirl To Fold
April 04, 2006
http://www.wwd.com/breakingnews/105481

Ellegirl magazine is folding. A company spokeswoman confirmed the news, saying the brand would continue on as a Web site.

"An evaluation of recent research suggested this was the direction the business was going in," said the spokeswoman.

While the magazine will cease publication with the June/July issue, investment on the Web and wireless will be increased.

****

So, another one bites the dust and goes online only. Point awarded to the internet: more readers, more access, and I betcha it costs a whole lot less to publish online! Or does it?

Traditional Journalism (orig post 03/04/06)

Assignment two that will be coming up for my Broadcast & Electronic Journalism class has to do with the way "traditional journalism" will be defunct in 15 years. I will be eventually defining the terms and what my position will be. My initial answer is no, it will not ever go completely away, however it will be seriously challenged -specifically by blogging.

More to come...

Happy Birthday to me!

Kate's Shanghai Night started at Camy's Shanghai Dumpling with plenty of BYO wine. It continued on after dinner at various venues in the city. I cannot begin to remember where we went after we left Eurotrash Bar. Thanks to Steve for playing the Maitre'D and organising dinner for me. Thanks to partygoers: Aidan, Lucy, Angelo, Steffi, AK, Mauricio, Fiona, Andy, Carl, Alan, Kim, Runa, Dora, Arajit, Prashanth, and Haroon. I hope I remembered all who came.

Here are a few pics...more to come from other ppl's cameras-


L->R: Mauricio, Steve, Andy, Aidan (hiding), Lucy, Angelo, moi, Steffi, AK and Fi as photographer


Kate, Aidan, Lucy


Mauricio, Kate, Andy, Steve


Kate, Angelo, Kim, Runa


Dora, Kate, Arajit, Haroon


AK, Steffi, Fiona, Kate, Angelo


Aidan, Kate, Alan... last pic taken at Eurotrash before the whole night went a bit fuzzy....

Grand Prix Madness

I could hear the zooooooming of the cars around the track in Albert Park all the way to my house in Carlton. And though I skipped out on trying to make my way through the massive amounts of people and public transport issues, it doesn't mean that I totally missed out on the event. Lygon Street was a popular area for the event. Tents with merchandise, bands, and painted ladies were around for the week leading up to the event and over the weekend. The cafes on the street had racing flag and Porshe decorations all over their tables and windows.

Lucy(A's sis) also had a friend in from Perth named Heong. Since Lucy was stuck having to grade papers all weekend, Steve and I took him out for a night on Lygon and Chinatown. (H was supposed to send us some pics he took, but after we spent the night out taking all sorts of random shots - he realised he didnt have film in his camera!!! Poor guy.)

I felt sorry for her...it was SOOOO cold out!

Heong and Steven playing at Container Bar.

H+K = Hong Kong! Fun in Chinatown!

Laughing Out Loud 3/25

Ok. I admit this is not a flattering portrait of me, but it was a fun night out and I am posting some pics! I went to dinner with Steve and his friends and proceeded to drink too much. We talked to homeless people on the street; I apparently thought it was an excellent time to call M in the UK; and I could not stop laughing. Somehow, though I still felt a bit tipsy the next day, I had NO hangover! YAY for that. Anyhow… here’s some of the self-timed and Steve-taken shots.

Steve talking to Andy with his semi-Liverpudlian accent - discussing deep philosophy and politics - whilst drunk.

Drinking my "Sashimi Kitten"

"Kate, pay attention! We're taking a picture!" "Oh... HIIIIIIII!"

"Dont be jealous that my drink is better than yours."

"Peace is what we need..."

"Growl for the camera ... be fierce!"

Finishing the "Boo boo kitty" drink sans flash.

Just like the end of Fear Factor - showing an empty glass and an empty mouth. All done!

St. Kilda Beach/Commonwealth fun 3/24

Took a day to St. Kilda with Steve, Lucy’s flatmate. We hit the Luminarium called Levity II by Architects of Air. Here are some of the cool shots and an idea of what it looks like.







Then we just played around in St. Kilda. A dragon was being sculpted while we were inside the Luminarium. We saw the humble beginnings of the big lump of sand, and when we came out, it was complete! Always be careful when sneaking up on a dragon!


I figured I could rescue a hot surfer, but alas, there are no hot surfers in Melbourne – nor waves for that matter! (Caption should read - "What? No cute Aussie surfer boys?")


So we grabbed some sweets and a bottle of Moscato and went to the beach for the sunset. It’s my first paper bag boozing experience - not sure that's an incredibly flattering picture or admission.




Before we left St. Kilda, I wanted to try to take some pics of Luna Park. It’s heavily photographed and I figured instead of buying a photo of it, I’d make my own. Not sure I was successful. Lighting is hard at night! But it’s a freaky clown, no? There are two parks like this – the one in St. Kilda, and one on the bank across from the Opera House in Sydney.

To do list

I have an absolutely massive amount of stuff to catch up on here. And for those of you avid readers at home, and those of you in search of pics from events here, I apologize for my slacking. So what I'm going to start doing is... if I have something to write, I'm going to post it - regardless if there are 20 things of pics and whatnot to post chronologically before. I just dont have time to sit here and upload photos. It takes more time than you may think. But there are tons of things I would love to just quickly share. Soooo... from now on, there may be a posting that was thought up and posted on the same day followed by some old stuff - as you will see now. I posted Easter thoughts for Easter, but following it will be the end of the Commonwealth games pics and other March photos.

Thank you to those of you at home who remembered my birthday and sent a happy note to me or a card in the mail. And to my sister who so kindly sent a package in the mail... well, let it be known that the snail mail shipping (as in - not air) estimate of 4-6 weeks is crap. Nearing the 8 week mark... I no longer trust postal estimates having learned that with the shipping of my summer clothes that turned up AFTER my trip to south Asia. But still, it's the thought that counts. Cheers!

Easter greetings...

Being away from home, I find that the traditions of home during holiday seasons are not repeated here. Or perhaps it is just because I am on my own without a family. As I just received an email saying how my folks were heading up to see my sis and the little ones it made me a bit homesick to think about all the things they'll do this weekend...

I miss coloring and decorating eggs. I miss the running in the yard to find the plastic eggs filled with candy and coins. I miss putting out my Easter basket with the plastic grass so that the Easter bunny can put yummies and toys in it. I miss those silly Cadbury commercials where the white bunny clucks like a chicken and lays Cadbury eggs; though I personally find those eggs disgustingly too sweet. I miss the dogwoods in the yard blooming - in the shape of the cross with the rust colored dots on the petals like the nails in Jesus and the center like the crown of thorns. I miss getting a new dress for Easter Sunday to wear to church with my family and going out to a nice brunch after service.

I havent been home for Easter for quite a few years, but this is only my second Easter to be out of the country. I know I was in Europe traveling on holiday last time, but this time I am here in my house in the city... no plans but to just hang out with friends. No church. No Easter bunny. So I will find my solice in Cadbury chocolates until I fall into a sugar induced coma and the day is behind me.

May you all enjoy your Easter holidays wherever you are... and may it be sweetly blessed.

Peanuts

Lucy, Aidan's sis, also had a birthday barbie... we grilled out meats, had lots of salads, and fairy bread. Yes, fairy bread. Apparently it's a tradition for little kids with white bread, butter, and sprinkles. I tried it, but wasn't terribly convinced. My palate has advanced beyond a 5 year old's.

Fairy bread. A truly Aussie food.

Chilling and waiting...

Now time to flip...

Lucy blowing out her candles.

Dukes of Hazzard

Flew to Sydney with Aidan the morning after Fi’s party. I was pretty tired since the revelry below me went on til nearly 6am. I think I finally passed out from tiredness enough to not hear them around 4am. Anyhow, the flight to Sydney had a stressful moment for me when we hit a bad pocket of turbulence and began to descend. I think I nearly threw up and then remembered I hadn’t even told my mom my flight number. But thankfully, we were able to level off and then the pilot got on to explain why we went lower, but mid talk we hit more turbulence so he stopped talking. Kate’s panic button went off again. And then we leveled off again and he came back to say all was well. The flight attendants had been in the aisle next to us preparing to serve drinks when this all happened and they went white too… so I know it wasn’t just me. I was not a happy flyer.
Anyhow, we made it to Sydney and the guy selling Aidan the car picked us up. We had a quick scenic drive on the way to the garage where the car was; did the paperwork; and we hit the road. The drive was nice. I brought my camera, but we didn’t stop anywhere along the way for me to get pics. The southern Aussie bush is not exactly picturesque, but it’s what I see, and eventually I’ll take some good pics of the terrain here. The drive took about 10-11 hours, with a few stops for food and fuel mixed in. It was a long drive, but it seemed to pass quickly.

The proud new owner.

The owner kindly humors me as he starts the engine.

Schoolhouse Rock

School’s back in! I’m taking three classes: Broadcast & Electronic Journalism, Single Camera Video and a Media Internship. So far I like all three. I am still working to find an internship, but it can be completed stateside if needed. I love my camera class already and have already directed a short and am turning in my first screenplay on Monday and I actually am really proud of the work! B&EJ will be fun because my professor is quite easy on the eyes. HA. Ok, seriously though, the class will probably kick my butt, but I will like it. Currently I’m on campus from 9-1 on Mondays and then 5-7 on Wednesdays and that’s it. Pretty sad eh? I mean, it’s great… but I’m bored! So I’m looking at options. If I could get my internship taken care of, that would be best! If not, I might see about getting a job or taking a couple quick trips away before I run out of time or money!

I am going to Sydney on a day trip next weekend with Aidan to keep him company when he drives back his new car. The following weekend I might go waterskiing with the club at LTU if there are spots still open. I also want to catch up with Aaron and Rachel before they leave Alice Springs. Then there’s a trip to Perth if time and money allow… I’m really going to have to twist Aidan’s arm on that one to show me around. He’s so busy this term and time will go fast. I have a friend visiting in June which will allow me to hopefully see everything nearby that I haven’t done yet – Mornington, Williamstown, Grampians, and all the alleyways and nooks and crannies yet to be found. This city is so great, but I’ve yet to explore it all and there’s always more to see! UGH! So much to look forward to!