Election 2010
Why aren't I voting for the liberals?
Well this mainly comes down to 2 main things... 1. Tony Abbott is a complete wanker (read more below) and 2. The liberals want to introduce a sub-standard outdated Internet upgrade which melts in the glow that is the Labor and greens broadband plan.
My Tony Abbot Experience... A few years ago I was in sydney, legally protesting in front of the Korean embassy, for a cause that I felt justified. Rael, spiritual leader of the international Raelian movement had recently been denied entry to Korea simply for wanting to run a meditation seminar. A group of us peacfully and non-violently held signs explaining our cause and the reception from the public was rather warm. Our flyers a hit.
However, when I gazed down the slope of Martin place I saw a familiar face, it was non other than Mr Tony Abbot, future leader of the Opposition. As he approached I smiled and held out my hand which was grasping a flyer with information on our demonstration. He rudely and physically brushed me away whilst mumbling derogatory comments and continued on his merry way in his expensive suit (probably paid for by the tax payers). From that day forth he has been nothing but a massive waste of taxpayers dollars.
Why aren't I voting for the Labor Party?
As much as I'd love to see a woman in the prime ministerial position, the Labor party has yet to prove their worth. Their policies, or lack thereof on climate change and gay marriage are just two of their shortcomings. The biggest of their erroneous ways is the proposed introduction of an Internet filter. (http://nocleanfeed.com/) Such a violation of human rights is great cause for concern. The only thing appealing about Labor is their proposed fibre optic cable broadband network, which although extremely over priced, is definitely a winning point for the election. (A Lot of good it's going to do when they start censoring everything). In the words of US president Barack Obama, I think it's time for change.
So why don't I vote for the greens?
Historically I have been a loyal greens voter. Their policies towards the environment are the main reason, but this year they have really stepped up to the plate with their election promises, (high speed trains sound awesome) and i'm very tempted to give them my vote. (http://greens.org.au/policies) However, simply voting for the greens because they are the only real party left after Liberals and Labor is just stupid, especially considering their preferences go towards the Labor party anyway. The thing that's turned me off the greens is their "politician-ness". They sound too much like politicians to me and this is a shame. Not something I should hold against them, but sometimes you have to go with your gut.
So who am I voting for?...
THE AUSTRALIAN SEX PARTY (http://www.sexparty.org.au)
Why? Because they are standing up for values that I too hold dear, and are doing it without all the false bullshitting that goes on in our political scene.
One thing that really sold me was their televised debate against the "Family First" Party (a Christian hate group masquerading as a political party) on Channel 7's Sunrise. (Below)
In a race that realistically has only 3 main parties, Labor, Liberal & The Greens, it's hardly a democracy we live in. But the Australian Sex Party is very real and will be up for election. If you havn't already, checkout their policies http://www.sexparty.org.au/index.php/policies and vote 1 on election day.
Photography
So yeah I'll be returning to photography sometime soon I hope. After a long hiatus called life, I feel the urge building again. I want to finally get my nude projects happening and also delve back into video.
I'll still be doing my pinup-esque type work so anyone interested let me know. I'm also available for standard portfolio and portrait work 
Superfoods: Myth or Magic?
Ok so i've been on a partial health kick for sometime, trying to improve my wellbeing by substituting normal foods and products with their natural counterpart.
These changes have been met with success in some trials and uncertainty in others. eg. I switched over to "Crystal" Deodorant some time ago and it's fantastic. Chemical free, non-scented and most important of all... It Works!
I switched to soy milk a while back, use honey now instead of granulated sugar, and I drink Aloe Vera juice daily, which although is a little expensive, is both refreshing and soothing after a night singing, or when I need an energy boost whilst roller derby training.
But like most people, I think, "how much of this is mind over matter?" Aloe Vera, Goji berries, Acai Berries, Chia Seeds, Wheatgrass. How many of them actually have a benefit?
In my own experience, the results speak for themselves. I cannot speak for Goji Berries (although I have tried the juice, and my work mate Wayne swears by it). Acai is something I havn't delved into. I have eaten bread rolls with Chia seeds and like the taste, but didnt really notice any benefit. Wheatgrass is somewhat of an acquired taste, and by that I mean foul. It's purported benefits are far outweighed by its disgusting flavour.
Aloe Vera however is to me an awesome product. I use an aloe vera gel from The Body Shop daily, and my skin loves it. There is no better after shave in my opinion. I used to have epic shaving rash, but after changing to a shaving oil, and using aloe vera, my skin is way better and any rash heals up 10x as fast. the juice i drink daily seems to give me more energy and as I mentioned earlier is very refreshing and soothing on a sore throat.
I'm working up the discipline to make more changes like these, and i'd encourage others to do the same.
Social Programming & Unrequited Love
Perhaps one of the hardest areas of self development for me has been dealing with unrequited love. Social programming tells us that to love someone romantically/sexually, they have to love you back, otherwise it's not worth it. While this is all good in sentiment, it has no basis in reality.
Those who know me have often heard me speak of love being "a one way street". "One Way Street" is the title of one of my songs and unrequited love is a core theme throughout my early music.
The general scenario goes like this... Boy meets Girl. Boys falls for Girl. Girl just wants to be friends. Boy is sad. The line "I just wanna be friends" has almost become pop-cultural, and for good reason. I'd dare say the frequency of its use is rather high, and as someone on the receiving end on numerous occasions I know how much it can hurt. Social programming causes a sense of rejection, loss, and low self esteem in reaction to this scenario. This often physically manifests itself as a strange tight stressful feeling in the centre of ones chest, which is no doubt the origin of the saying; "A Broken Heart".
Now I have been lucky enough to deal with the unrequited love scenario, by consciously changing my programming using the teachings of Rael, but not before many hours of moping around, and writing depressing songs etc. It wasn't until I became a Raelian, that I was given the tools the combat the social programming that was making me feel ill because I loved someone. How bad does that sound.... "I feel ill because i love someone".
Love is supposed to be an awesome thing, an act of giving that is the manifestation of all that is good. "All you need is love" - John Lennon When you love someone, it should be unconditional. Why do we place labels on love to make it fit our social agendas?
What's even worse in society is when scenario 2, Boy meets Girl. Boy falls for Girl. Girl just wants to be friends. Boy says, "I still love you but ok, cool!", is actually considered creepy by some. The amount of times I've heard of 2 people stop talking altogether, simply because one of them loves the other without it being mutual, is rather disturbing. Unless the person is obsessive beyond normality and dwells in the psychopathic realm of infatuation, how can having someone love you unrequitedly (is that a word?) be a bad thing.
Here's the technological explanation. It's chemical. Being attached to something is a result of certain chemicals in the brain. Habits form due to connections between neurons and synaptic pathways. So in a sense we are trapped in this chemical prison ship that is our bodies. Our actions and feelings are programmed by these well established synaptic pathways, but in the same way that we create these pathways, we can also combat and re-route them to a more positive outcome. How do we do this? With our thoughts!
They say time heals all wounds, and whilst this is true on different levels, it all comes down to thought. The CHOICE to be happy, despite all obstacles, in this case rejection, is a powerful combatant to the programming of being sad. By consciously and constantly telling yourself to stay positive and love the person unconditionally, you will find a very powerful way to deal with unrequited love.
I know first hand what it's like to want someone who doesn't want you, especially when she has bluntly told you she's not interested, and you still hold onto hope. Hope can be a dangerous thing in this case as it's the little chemical gremlin causing you to dwell in suffering, and retrospectivly may be the very reason why the person rejecting you choses to stop talking altogether. I think everyone has had an unrequited love, and have subconsciously found the best way to deal with it has become separation. No contact = no hope. Remove that which disrupts your harmony. I'm sure it works more than often than not.
Sometimes however you cannot escape the person, due to social circles or work situations, and this is when strength of thought and determination to chose happiness and unconditional love beyond all else is important. When you truly love someone, their happiness is what is most important. Now I am by no means an expert on all of this, and I do struggle from time to time. But at the end of the day I simplify and do my best to choose happiness, to choose love!
I leave you with my favorite quote from Rael....
"When we are positive,
we are like the light;
everybody wants to be with us.
The fact that you’re happy attracts people.
So don’t be happy because people love you,
be happy in order for people to love you.
Be happy for no reason because,
if you need a reason to be happy,
if the reason disappears, so will your
happiness." - RAEL
If Music Be The Food Of Love….
Play On!!! - (William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night Act 1, scene 1, 1–3)
I still remember being in my grandmothers living room as a youngster, dancing to Michael Jacksons latest video (Beat it) on Video Hits. This is possibly the first memory I have of being inspired by music. Even at that early stage I was more keen on acting than music, and up until high school (with the exemption of school choirs), I never really had much to do with music.
Once I hit high school, and took music as an elective, my circle of friends changed along with my musical tastes. I started listening to The Blues Brothers, and "neo-swing" bands like Royal Crown Revue and The Cherry Poppin Daddies. That era was also heavily saturated with the latest wave of ska fused with skater punk to create the sounds of Reel Big Fish, Area 7, The Mighty Mighty Boss Tones etc. These early begginings would later pave the way for my introduction to Rock N Roll.
Sure, i'd always preferred my parents record collection to anything playing on the charts, and my love for Elvis started around my early teens, but Rock N Roll didn't really start to take over until I met Wayne. Wayne is the other guy in my band, along with his daughter Michelle. Shelly and I took up dance lessons a few years back, and from that we all gravitated towards the great jump sounds of Rock N Roll masters.
Now we perform with Jumpin' Jukebox on a fairly regular basis, and always have a ball doing it. Sometimes we veer off the straight rock n roll, and mix it up with our "pub set", which is always a crowd favorite. My years of karaoke seem to still linger with me, as i can't seem to escape it, but generally its a great place to practice. This week had me working karaoke on thursday night, headbanging and dancing with my roller derby sisters on friday night, and last night performing to a 120 strong crowd with the band.
The coming week is full as well with 2 mid week rock n roll shows for the local dance schools, plus 2 weekend "pub" gigs. It is certain now that music is becoming my life, and I love it.... but I want more! Let's see what the future brings!
Scream Screen – Zombie Film Festival
I've recently got my hands on a fairly good quality video camera, in preparation for an online documentary series i'm creating called "Five For The Faithful". It's in the research stages and will probably take a while to organise. It's been many years since I last created a film, previously working with a team of people in the Shootout Film Festival in Newcastle. But now that I have some equipment, and the buzz of directing seems to be filtering back in, a new opportunity arose via Facebook, something to work on before my documentary.
In October 2010, The Newcastle Undead Society (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=86998033826) will play host to the "Scream Screen" Zombie Film festival, in conjunction with their popular Zombie March. I know a few people who have played a part before, and it looked like fun. I have an interest in prosthetic makeup, and so i've begun working on my very own zombie film.
So far I have 2 ideas, which alone could work, or maybe i'll combine them to create a larger story arc. Either way I hope to get something together and submit the film for the festival. I'll need to cast some actors and and create a good musical score, oh and write a script.... shit i'd better get started
Anyone who is interested in being a part of it, let me know
The Princess Bride
For those of you who haven't seen it, do yourselves a favour. Action, adventure, suspense, magic, medieval goodness and Fred Savage Enough said?
The Princess Bride is a great 1987 film by Rob Reiner (Sleepless In Seattle, The Majestic, This Is Spinal Tap). Suitable for all ages, TPB is essentially a love story narrated by a grandfather (Peter Falk) who is reading the story to his sick grandson (Fred Savage). Now at first that might sound a little cheesy (and it is), but once you overlook this and really get into the live action, things pick up. A great cast of characters including a swordsman, a giant and a short little annoying man with a big brain, compliment a corrupt prince, a pirate hero and an AWESOME cameo from Billy Crystal.
Basically the story goes that; girl loves boy, boy goes away, girl gets forcefully engaged to evil prince, boy returns, and with the help of some former enemies rescues the princess after beating a bunch of dangerous obstacles, including being dead... well mostly dead. Without giving too much away, its a great film with lots of clever innuendo for the adults, and just enough adventure and slapstick to keep the kiddies happy. The only part in the film that would be considered PG, (which is also considered by most to be the best line in the movie) is the line spoken by the master swordsman Inigo Montoya. Go rent this classic now! I leave you with previous said quote...
"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
"Star's" Rating - 4/5
America Loves War!
Recently, via my fathers love of DVD rentals, I have been subjected to the odd american war film. "The Hurt Locker" which was so popular at the recent Academy Awards, is one such film.
Oh boy! How the fuck did it beat Avatar?
To digress... Avatar, for those living under a rock who have not seen it, is a science fiction adventure action epic by James Cameron, (Terminator, Titanic, The Abyss). It is a story about the beauty of a far away world, the symbiotic relationship it's indigenous population share with it's environment, and the american (earth) military who want's to destroy it in order to mine a precious mineral. Obviously a metaphor for the war for oil and the toll we humans are placing on our won planet, Avatar is a visual feast, full of all the elements that make for great popcorn movie. It's underlying themes however are so very important and relevant to our current society. Although not as obvious as "the Day The Earth Stood Still" (The original, not the shitty Keanu Reeves waste of time), Avatar still manages to put across its very important message rather well, and has affected many people on a spiritual level. Who here honestly wouldn't wanna visit Pandora, or even better have a closer relationship with the environment on earth.
Which brings me back to my question... How the fuck did Avatar get beaten by "The Hurt Locker". The Hurt locker is about a bunch of soldiers running around in the desert diffusing bombs and spewing military rhetoric under the guise of "War on Terror" and patriotism. It is nothing more than a modern day propaganda film with the usual grunt attitudes. It makes me wonder... does America really buy into this shit?
Obviously the Academy does, which is sad, because most of the time they get it right. (Well apart from cutting Michael Moore's acceptance speech for Fahrenheit 911 short.)
There is hope however. This morning I watched another film, starring Matt Damon, called "Green Zone". Although it was released on the coat tails of The Bourne Series, this new war film had nothing to do with that previous series. It did however follow Matt Damon as an equally tough military type running around a newly invaded/conquered Iraq, and dealt with a conspiracy. What surprised me was that is took the initiative to document the issues around the famous non-existent WMD's (Weapons of Mass Destruction). How much of it was fiction I don't know, but i'm glad that the film makers and Damon took the opportunity to create a fairly realistic war film with a strong message.
Personally, I think we are at war for the wrong reasons, ( if there is ever a reason to go to war at all.) Society needs to wake up to itself and stop this weak excuse for a war. We have the capacity to change the world by embracing love and science. Propaganda films like the Hurt Locker are a waste of time and money. I felt a little less human just from watching half of it, before I had to walk away. As long as we continue to support these films and buy into their dogma, change will not come. Avatar was fake. (although very convincing). The Hurt Locker was created by actual people who visited in Iraq. Both films equally show the backwards nature of the military, at least I hope thats what any intelligent person would come away from the cinema/tv screen thinking.
"Be The change you want to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi
"All You Need Is Love" - John Lennon
Stars Rating: (Avatar) - 3.5/5 | (The Hurt Locker) - 1.5/5