So I've not posted much over the past couple of days. Please excuse me, I've been busy working to be able to pay the rent, and haven't had much time to find wonderful things to post about. But today I did.
Many of you know of YouTube and the wonderful videos you can find on there (as well as some shockers). Today I found an iPod ad I would like to see on TV, but that wouldn't happen. So you can watch it here instead:
I have to admit, it doesn't surprise me it didn't take long to link iPods and sex together - especially now that you can get the iBuzz, a vibrator adaptor that plugs into your iPod and buzzes in time to your music.
Technology these days.
<3 Blackberry Moose
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
It's Music, For Your Ears
So what have I been listening to for the last week? Lots of things. What is worth a mention? These songs!: (note: many of these are songs I have rekindled a love for)
3 Leg Torso - Frog
I stumbled across this band on YouTube while I was looking up Pink Martini videos, and fell in love with them. I have a weakness for gypsy like music, and this is very gypsy like. I've not found out a lot about the band, except they only play in America and are not entirely famous - though I hope to help that. An instrumental band, this song has violin, piano accordion, vibraphone, drums and reminds me of France. No idea why, but it does. And drinking Absinthe. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the gypsy/vibraphone fusion.
George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Ok so this is an very famous oldie, but will always be one of my favourite "classical" pieces written, even though its more jazz-esque. If you don't know this song, you must be an ostrich with their head in the ground. I recently heard this again and the love for it came back, so it's worth a mention. It reminds me of the hustle and bustle of New York, and Gene Kelly. No idea why Gene Kelly but it seems like something he could dance to. And for the record, this song against the Manhattan skyline is one of the best opening scenes from a film I have ever seen (Manhattan, Woody Allen).
Kool & The Gang - Hollywood Swinging.
So this is more recently famous for being on the GTA San Andreas soundtrack (where CJ has to dance in the club mostly), and has been in countless amounts of TV shows and movies, more recently at the end of series 4 of Nip/Tuck. For a good example of famous rare groove, this is it. I love this song, at any time of the day, any time of the year. If you don't boogie to this, you must be a machine.
Beirut - Postcards from Italy
I heard this originally on a vlog from the lovely Galadarling and it got stuck in my head - which I will thank Galadarling for entirely! I've only just discovered Beirut, but he is a gem. A one man showcase, he infuses Gypsy music with melodic haunting vocals. This song reminds me of a mariachi band with a ukulele, or street festival music. Either way, this song and the rest of this album is gold and deserves to be listened to repeatedly.
Kenji Kawai - Making of a Cyborg (Ghost in the Shell main theme)
So this is a track from the very famous anime Ghost in the Shell, probably more known as the signing voices song at the beginning of the movie. I get this song stuck in my head a lot, especially while playing Postal 2, and this week is no exception. My delightful partner has a fantastic drumnbass remix for this song, not entirely sure who by, that makes this song sound that little bit better. But until I find out who it's by, I recommend this song for some dark ambiance. The song is in Japanese but sung by a Bulgarian choir to give that particular sound. Interesting....
LTJ Bukem - Journey Inwards
If you like drumnbass and you don't know LTJ Bukem, you must have been hiding in a bombing shelter for eternity. This guy is a pioneer of this genre. His album, Journey Inwards, is in my top ten all time albums. I'm sure many hardcore drumnbass fans out there will disagree with me saying Logical Progression sessions are better, but I disagree. I love the jazzy element to this album and the atmospheric drumnbass. Anyhoo, this song is the title track from the album, of the same name, and is a music delight for the ears. It's jazzy, it's mellow, its wonderful. It has a flutes in it, need I say more? I hadn't listened to this song for years until I decided to give a friend some Bukem and rekindled my love with this song. Personally, it reminds me of many winter nights in Melbourne, looking at the bright lights and feeling toasty in the rain. Let me know what it reminds you of.
Outkast - Prototype
This is from Andre 3000's "The Love Below" part of the Speakerboxx/The Love Below album Outkast release a couple of years back. I have a lot of respect for Andre3000, and got into this song while shopping for some reason. It makes supermarket shopping seem a lot more fun than it actually is. It was a single for them, but is just so blissful to listen to. Nice mellow guitar, some funky bass, Andre 3000's voice... what more could you ask for? A good beat! It's got that too. If you're not into Outkasts rapping/hip hop type stuff, check this song out to strike up a love for them.
Blatz - Roadkill
These guys were a screechy punk band from the late 80s/early 90s that broke up in 1992. Probably more known for being too stoned to tune their guitars, screaming and stripping on stage and playing the same gigs as Green Day (when they begun) and Operation Ivy, they still have a soft spot in my heart. I got into these guys when I was about 15, after a friend passed me a tape of them and said "Dude, you gotta check this out." Well I did, and nearly 10 years later I still like them. So why is this in my ten songs of the week? Once again, rekindled my love for this song while I was making a copy of it for a friend.
John Mayer - Gravity
Yes I love John Mayer, you can tell me I have bad taste but I proudly love Mr Mayer. It's strange but people assume he's just a pop icon, when in fact he's probably one of the greatest modern guitarists there are, and performers I have seen live. And he's funny, can't go past a funny cute man. This song is from his third album, Continuum, which I'm still debating if I really love or just like. Gravity is a waltz like blues song, in 3/4 time, and has a subtle beauty I can listen to over and over, and a touch of soul. This album is especially blues and soul orientated, but he's still a gem whatever he does, in my biased opinion.
The Hidden Cameras - Boys of Melody
Described as gay anti-folk church music, The Hidden Cameras are beautiful. They include a choir, string section, and go-go dancers. This song more recently was famous for being the backing track to the trailer for Shortbus (2006, John Cameron Mitchell). This song always seems to make me smile like a doofus while walking around with my headphones on. It has xylophones, strings, haunting vocals, and I think an oboe (gotta love someone with an oboe!). On a similar wavelength to The Polyphonic Spree or The Flaming Lips (to an extent), and defiantly worth being blasted into your ears.
Until next week, I hope these music recommendations will tide you over!
<3 Blackberry Moose
3 Leg Torso - Frog
I stumbled across this band on YouTube while I was looking up Pink Martini videos, and fell in love with them. I have a weakness for gypsy like music, and this is very gypsy like. I've not found out a lot about the band, except they only play in America and are not entirely famous - though I hope to help that. An instrumental band, this song has violin, piano accordion, vibraphone, drums and reminds me of France. No idea why, but it does. And drinking Absinthe. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the gypsy/vibraphone fusion.
George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Ok so this is an very famous oldie, but will always be one of my favourite "classical" pieces written, even though its more jazz-esque. If you don't know this song, you must be an ostrich with their head in the ground. I recently heard this again and the love for it came back, so it's worth a mention. It reminds me of the hustle and bustle of New York, and Gene Kelly. No idea why Gene Kelly but it seems like something he could dance to. And for the record, this song against the Manhattan skyline is one of the best opening scenes from a film I have ever seen (Manhattan, Woody Allen).
Kool & The Gang - Hollywood Swinging.
So this is more recently famous for being on the GTA San Andreas soundtrack (where CJ has to dance in the club mostly), and has been in countless amounts of TV shows and movies, more recently at the end of series 4 of Nip/Tuck. For a good example of famous rare groove, this is it. I love this song, at any time of the day, any time of the year. If you don't boogie to this, you must be a machine.
Beirut - Postcards from Italy
I heard this originally on a vlog from the lovely Galadarling and it got stuck in my head - which I will thank Galadarling for entirely! I've only just discovered Beirut, but he is a gem. A one man showcase, he infuses Gypsy music with melodic haunting vocals. This song reminds me of a mariachi band with a ukulele, or street festival music. Either way, this song and the rest of this album is gold and deserves to be listened to repeatedly.
Kenji Kawai - Making of a Cyborg (Ghost in the Shell main theme)
So this is a track from the very famous anime Ghost in the Shell, probably more known as the signing voices song at the beginning of the movie. I get this song stuck in my head a lot, especially while playing Postal 2, and this week is no exception. My delightful partner has a fantastic drumnbass remix for this song, not entirely sure who by, that makes this song sound that little bit better. But until I find out who it's by, I recommend this song for some dark ambiance. The song is in Japanese but sung by a Bulgarian choir to give that particular sound. Interesting....
LTJ Bukem - Journey Inwards
If you like drumnbass and you don't know LTJ Bukem, you must have been hiding in a bombing shelter for eternity. This guy is a pioneer of this genre. His album, Journey Inwards, is in my top ten all time albums. I'm sure many hardcore drumnbass fans out there will disagree with me saying Logical Progression sessions are better, but I disagree. I love the jazzy element to this album and the atmospheric drumnbass. Anyhoo, this song is the title track from the album, of the same name, and is a music delight for the ears. It's jazzy, it's mellow, its wonderful. It has a flutes in it, need I say more? I hadn't listened to this song for years until I decided to give a friend some Bukem and rekindled my love with this song. Personally, it reminds me of many winter nights in Melbourne, looking at the bright lights and feeling toasty in the rain. Let me know what it reminds you of.
Outkast - Prototype
This is from Andre 3000's "The Love Below" part of the Speakerboxx/The Love Below album Outkast release a couple of years back. I have a lot of respect for Andre3000, and got into this song while shopping for some reason. It makes supermarket shopping seem a lot more fun than it actually is. It was a single for them, but is just so blissful to listen to. Nice mellow guitar, some funky bass, Andre 3000's voice... what more could you ask for? A good beat! It's got that too. If you're not into Outkasts rapping/hip hop type stuff, check this song out to strike up a love for them.
Blatz - Roadkill
These guys were a screechy punk band from the late 80s/early 90s that broke up in 1992. Probably more known for being too stoned to tune their guitars, screaming and stripping on stage and playing the same gigs as Green Day (when they begun) and Operation Ivy, they still have a soft spot in my heart. I got into these guys when I was about 15, after a friend passed me a tape of them and said "Dude, you gotta check this out." Well I did, and nearly 10 years later I still like them. So why is this in my ten songs of the week? Once again, rekindled my love for this song while I was making a copy of it for a friend.
John Mayer - Gravity
Yes I love John Mayer, you can tell me I have bad taste but I proudly love Mr Mayer. It's strange but people assume he's just a pop icon, when in fact he's probably one of the greatest modern guitarists there are, and performers I have seen live. And he's funny, can't go past a funny cute man. This song is from his third album, Continuum, which I'm still debating if I really love or just like. Gravity is a waltz like blues song, in 3/4 time, and has a subtle beauty I can listen to over and over, and a touch of soul. This album is especially blues and soul orientated, but he's still a gem whatever he does, in my biased opinion.
The Hidden Cameras - Boys of Melody
Described as gay anti-folk church music, The Hidden Cameras are beautiful. They include a choir, string section, and go-go dancers. This song more recently was famous for being the backing track to the trailer for Shortbus (2006, John Cameron Mitchell). This song always seems to make me smile like a doofus while walking around with my headphones on. It has xylophones, strings, haunting vocals, and I think an oboe (gotta love someone with an oboe!). On a similar wavelength to The Polyphonic Spree or The Flaming Lips (to an extent), and defiantly worth being blasted into your ears.
Until next week, I hope these music recommendations will tide you over!
<3 Blackberry Moose
Wednesday, 7 February 2007
Feel Like Wasting Time on Cyberspace?
There are many sites on the net that get put up and become popular. And there are many more sites on the net that get made and are hardly ever seen to a large number of lurkers online. So I think it's about time to list some sites that are obscure and interesting, and maybe you might enjoy them! If you have anymore, please email them over to me so I can put them up for everyone else to view :)
Current Obscure Internet Sites Found:
The Art of Japanese Watermelon Carving.
This one is just amazing to look at, the detail that goes into such an obscure type of "art". I wouldn't mind getting served one of these, however I probably would have to think twice about eating it.
Trolley Spotting
So here's a site dedicated to shopping trolleys found around various cities in England. It's nicely designed but really, is very very odd.
Quote Database
I believe this is a database of quoted conversations off mIRC and other net chat programs. Some are way funny, others are so-so. You can add your own quotes too.
Group Hug: Anonymous Online Confessions
This is fairly famous site amongst the online community, but still worth a mention to those who've never been there. It's basically a list of confessions, of any kind, from people like you around the world. Some are funny, some are sad, some are just plain creepy.
Craftster.Org
I love this place, it's a list of forums dedicated to craftwork, sewing, toy making etc... People show their latest creations and also give tutorials to make things. If you like sewing or anything crafty, you'll get lost on this site for hours!
Postcrossing
If you love postcards as much as I do, this site might spark some interest with you. It's basically a postcard swapping/sending site, dedicated to sending postcards to strangers and in return receiving them. It's all free and you might score some lovely cards from around the world!
That's the latest for now, I'll add some more in the following week but this should keep you all mighty occupied for a little bit until then.
<3 Blackberry Moose
Current Obscure Internet Sites Found:
The Art of Japanese Watermelon Carving.
This one is just amazing to look at, the detail that goes into such an obscure type of "art". I wouldn't mind getting served one of these, however I probably would have to think twice about eating it.
Trolley Spotting
So here's a site dedicated to shopping trolleys found around various cities in England. It's nicely designed but really, is very very odd.
Quote Database
I believe this is a database of quoted conversations off mIRC and other net chat programs. Some are way funny, others are so-so. You can add your own quotes too.
Group Hug: Anonymous Online Confessions
This is fairly famous site amongst the online community, but still worth a mention to those who've never been there. It's basically a list of confessions, of any kind, from people like you around the world. Some are funny, some are sad, some are just plain creepy.
Craftster.Org
I love this place, it's a list of forums dedicated to craftwork, sewing, toy making etc... People show their latest creations and also give tutorials to make things. If you like sewing or anything crafty, you'll get lost on this site for hours!
Postcrossing
If you love postcards as much as I do, this site might spark some interest with you. It's basically a postcard swapping/sending site, dedicated to sending postcards to strangers and in return receiving them. It's all free and you might score some lovely cards from around the world!
That's the latest for now, I'll add some more in the following week but this should keep you all mighty occupied for a little bit until then.
<3 Blackberry Moose
"You Know What Really Grinds My Gears... "
In the words of Peter Griffen, you know what really grinds my gears? - The price of tampons! So this is a more of a rant than a praise of pop culture, it still relates to society and in a way pop culture. Or maybe I'm just using that justification as a reason to allow my rant to happen...
So tampons, yes tampons. I'm sure you boys out there reading this are rolling your eyes or going to skim over the post, since it deals with "women's issues". And by all means, skip the passage if you wish - I know the monthly bleeding thing makes many of you squeamish. However, the price of tampons really gets to me. For starters, why should something so necessary be priced at a minimum of $4 for a pack of 12-16 tampons. That amount will only get you through 3 or 4 days at most. Now that can sometimes be an average cycle for a woman, yet the strange-ling like me have a bleeding fiesta lasting up to 7 days, and I've met people who've had it for 2 weeks at a time. It means too that you have to buy a new pack every month, maybe two or three packs. Nothing seems to last two months, and they don't make many ranges of tampons in bulk 30+ packets - well not any I'd trust anyway. And on top of that, there's 3 different types of tampons for different flow types. That means, on average, a woman will use probably 2 different types of tampons, and therefore will spend an excess of $4 to be able to be comfortable during her visit from Aunty Flo. At my local supermarket, the cheapest tampons are $5.15 - is it due to inflation or just because they can up the price?
Now the thing that really gets to me is I don't see why these necessities, and yes they are for us girlies, should be so steeply priced. In Australia, tampons carry a 10% Goods & Services Tax (tax) on top of the price, which was introduced in 2000. Yet other necessities, like condoms for example, don't carry a tax at all. I find this amazing since us woman have no control over the fact we have to bleed endlessly for days on end, once a month for the next 40 odd years of our lives. Yet things like condoms are a choice in contraception, where there are many different options to choose from. Also, I'm amazed that our Howard regime government wants people to use contraception as good ol' Howard has pretty much pushed a rise in population here, with the subtle motto of ' have 3 kids - one of each sex for yourselves, and one for the country.'
Which leads me to my next point - who runs the tampon ring. Men do! Ironic, no? There is only one female owned and run tampon company, and the only one I support, and all its competitors are run by men. The government is mostly run by men, and yes the liberals women can be seen as men since they look so inhumane. (You'd have to be to be part of the Liberal party here) So why are they allowed to tell us, the ones having to do the bleeding, what we should pay and what we should use to help with surfin' the crimson wave every month when they themselves have no concept of the agony us femmes have to go through? That grinds my gears.
Lastly, we have two options of products to deal with during menstruation. Tampons and pads, otherwise known as 'sanitary napkins' - doesn't that just sound peachy. Personally, I don't want to have a bulky nappy like "napkin" of cotton stuffed into my undies, and it's not the most comfortable thing to have placed between your legs. So tampons are the more hidden, discreet option. Yet both had their pro's and con's. Now a lot of people out there, women especially, don't realise what tampons actually have in them. Yes, it is mainly compressed cotton but some companies also add, believe it or not, minute amounts of asbestos in their tampons so you bleed more, and in turn buy more of their product. No joke on this one, I researched this years ago for a Year 12 essay. So then there is the problem of buying wholly cotton, organic-esque tampons which have the higher price. It's a vicious cycle.
So in conclusion, I'm sure I speak on behalf of women around the world when I say no one enjoys their period. We get moody, bloated, sore, achy, emotional... you name it - we just go out of service for a week. And I'm sure there's not many woman out there who enjoy having to shove compressed cotton into our beavers, for lack of a better sounding word, regularly every month just to fit into society's demands. The only time I can think of one enjoying a period is after having a sexcapade accident, fretting being pregnant and eventually finding relief when the bleeding starts - but that's about the only time. So cut us some slack, lower the price of tampons and maybe we won't be so bitchy for one week of every month.
On that note, I'm going to ease my bitchiness with some comforting chocolate. At least chocolate understands a woman's needs :)
<3 Blackberry Moose
So tampons, yes tampons. I'm sure you boys out there reading this are rolling your eyes or going to skim over the post, since it deals with "women's issues". And by all means, skip the passage if you wish - I know the monthly bleeding thing makes many of you squeamish. However, the price of tampons really gets to me. For starters, why should something so necessary be priced at a minimum of $4 for a pack of 12-16 tampons. That amount will only get you through 3 or 4 days at most. Now that can sometimes be an average cycle for a woman, yet the strange-ling like me have a bleeding fiesta lasting up to 7 days, and I've met people who've had it for 2 weeks at a time. It means too that you have to buy a new pack every month, maybe two or three packs. Nothing seems to last two months, and they don't make many ranges of tampons in bulk 30+ packets - well not any I'd trust anyway. And on top of that, there's 3 different types of tampons for different flow types. That means, on average, a woman will use probably 2 different types of tampons, and therefore will spend an excess of $4 to be able to be comfortable during her visit from Aunty Flo. At my local supermarket, the cheapest tampons are $5.15 - is it due to inflation or just because they can up the price?
Now the thing that really gets to me is I don't see why these necessities, and yes they are for us girlies, should be so steeply priced. In Australia, tampons carry a 10% Goods & Services Tax (tax) on top of the price, which was introduced in 2000. Yet other necessities, like condoms for example, don't carry a tax at all. I find this amazing since us woman have no control over the fact we have to bleed endlessly for days on end, once a month for the next 40 odd years of our lives. Yet things like condoms are a choice in contraception, where there are many different options to choose from. Also, I'm amazed that our Howard regime government wants people to use contraception as good ol' Howard has pretty much pushed a rise in population here, with the subtle motto of ' have 3 kids - one of each sex for yourselves, and one for the country.'
Which leads me to my next point - who runs the tampon ring. Men do! Ironic, no? There is only one female owned and run tampon company, and the only one I support, and all its competitors are run by men. The government is mostly run by men, and yes the liberals women can be seen as men since they look so inhumane. (You'd have to be to be part of the Liberal party here) So why are they allowed to tell us, the ones having to do the bleeding, what we should pay and what we should use to help with surfin' the crimson wave every month when they themselves have no concept of the agony us femmes have to go through? That grinds my gears.
Lastly, we have two options of products to deal with during menstruation. Tampons and pads, otherwise known as 'sanitary napkins' - doesn't that just sound peachy. Personally, I don't want to have a bulky nappy like "napkin" of cotton stuffed into my undies, and it's not the most comfortable thing to have placed between your legs. So tampons are the more hidden, discreet option. Yet both had their pro's and con's. Now a lot of people out there, women especially, don't realise what tampons actually have in them. Yes, it is mainly compressed cotton but some companies also add, believe it or not, minute amounts of asbestos in their tampons so you bleed more, and in turn buy more of their product. No joke on this one, I researched this years ago for a Year 12 essay. So then there is the problem of buying wholly cotton, organic-esque tampons which have the higher price. It's a vicious cycle.
So in conclusion, I'm sure I speak on behalf of women around the world when I say no one enjoys their period. We get moody, bloated, sore, achy, emotional... you name it - we just go out of service for a week. And I'm sure there's not many woman out there who enjoy having to shove compressed cotton into our beavers, for lack of a better sounding word, regularly every month just to fit into society's demands. The only time I can think of one enjoying a period is after having a sexcapade accident, fretting being pregnant and eventually finding relief when the bleeding starts - but that's about the only time. So cut us some slack, lower the price of tampons and maybe we won't be so bitchy for one week of every month.
On that note, I'm going to ease my bitchiness with some comforting chocolate. At least chocolate understands a woman's needs :)
<3 Blackberry Moose
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
Reasons to Sleep In
Current Favourite Justifiable Reasons to Sleep In:
"It's too hot."
This is legitimate here now, thank you 38-42 C summer. When you're hot, it's too hot to do anything. Especially in a one fan, oven house like mine. So if it's good enough for the Spaniards, it's good enough for me.
"What am I going to do on school holidays, at 9am?"
Good question! Nothing, so go to sleep.
"My bed is too comfy to peel myself off of it."
When faced with this dilemma, it's always hard to get off the big marshmallow of snooze time love.
"I'm having the best dreams and I stop for no man! (Or woman)"
Kudos, you should keep having them! Not enough people enjoy their dreams, and no one should give up their dream time for something less stimulating and enjoyable.
"Another day can go by unnoticed if I hibernate long enough."
Sometimes you just want to hibernate from the world for a day and let it all go by until you're ready to face it again.
<3 Blackberry Moose
"It's too hot."
This is legitimate here now, thank you 38-42 C summer. When you're hot, it's too hot to do anything. Especially in a one fan, oven house like mine. So if it's good enough for the Spaniards, it's good enough for me.
"What am I going to do on school holidays, at 9am?"
Good question! Nothing, so go to sleep.
"My bed is too comfy to peel myself off of it."
When faced with this dilemma, it's always hard to get off the big marshmallow of snooze time love.
"I'm having the best dreams and I stop for no man! (Or woman)"
Kudos, you should keep having them! Not enough people enjoy their dreams, and no one should give up their dream time for something less stimulating and enjoyable.
"Another day can go by unnoticed if I hibernate long enough."
Sometimes you just want to hibernate from the world for a day and let it all go by until you're ready to face it again.
<3 Blackberry Moose
When the Munchies Attack...
Current Favourite Choices of Sweet Tooth Treats:
I shouldn't eat candy, but I do. I can't help if I have a sweet tooth that's going to rot my skull dry. I blame my partner, he is the king of sweet tooth's. My personal weakness is chocolate, whereas his is gummi's - and together we're too weak to withstand anything mildly sugary. When the munchies attack, and boy do they attack, one needs to be prepared in confectionery that will combat the cravings for sweet things. But there's so much out there on the market, in supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations - what is the best and worst of the candy biz? What is new and what is forgotten? I'll have to add some photos in later when I can find my camera and take some photos. Until then, use your imagination!
Starbust Soda Slammers
I'm not sure if these are available outside of Australia, but god they're good. Although sometimes Starbust can taste really artificial and chemically, these ones aren't so bad. They're meant to replicate classic soda flavours like lemonade and cola, but also apple and blue-something. Chewy wise, they're not too soft, not too tough. Best combination - Apple/Cola or Strawberry/Cola.
Natural Confectionary's Spooky Treats
Originally released for Halloween (no idea why, we don't celebrate here it Australia), these gummi's come in two types and flavours - blackcurrant & orange two headed snakes and lime frogs. Though as far as their flavour range goes, these are really tasty. There needs to be more frogs in the packet though. I believe these are a limited edition that they've got lots of stock left over for - either that or it's just my local supermarket that's overstocked. If you can get your hands on them, try them!
Skittles Wildberry
These only just came out in the big bags here in Australia, and I'm so thankful they did! So far these are the best flavours they've come up with, in my opinion. If you're a skittles fan, get your hands on these! The flavours are: Melon berry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Wild Cherry and Berry Punch - the personal favourite is the Melon Berry. I hope these stick around for a while....
Peanut M & M's
You can't go wrong with this classic, unless you're allergic to nuts. Then you probably shouldn't go near this product!
Slurpees - new flavours Tropical and Apple & Blackcurrant
Since it's summer here in Melbourne, and the sun likes to blaze down relentlessly on us poor folk here, a sweet beverage that quenches the thirst and cools you down is a must. Though too much slurpee at once can give you brain and kidney freeze, so in moderation please! These two new flavours arrived on our doorstep this year and are made with 25% fruit juice, apparently. Either way, they're uber yummy and hits the spot nicely. A good change from the normals or raspberry and cola.
Coles Apple & Berry Mineral Water
Now I know what you're thinking, how can a chain supermarket branded product be any good - it's cheap for gods sake! Well I thought the same thing too, but being a poor student makes you go cheap more often than not, and I bit the bullet and tasted this. I was amazed, it actually is rather nice. Better than Home Brand or Farmland, this is actually sweet and tasty. My partner and I disagree on its yum factor with him believing it is too bubblegum like, but I disagree and think it's a nice change from overly-sweet-causing-more-flem-than-not drinks like Fanta or Coke. I say all this while I'm drinking a glass of the stuff! :)
<3 Blackberry Moose
Music Love for your Ears
So there are three things I love at the moment - music, confectionery and sleep. Doesn't sound like the healthiest of lifestyles, I hear you all mutter, but it's certainly an enjoyable one. I never realised how much time can be consumed and wasted via these three above mentioned things. Sometime they can be combined, though probably not all together at once, unless you're a remarkable candy munching sleeping machine. They all compliment my other current love of endless searching on Wikipedia for random information, or general surfing the internet for entertainment. So what wise recommendations can I suggest? Lets see...
Current Favourite Music Tracks of the Week:
Everyone loves music, that's a given fact. I've become more aware of the fact that if you ask someone what they like, one of the first things they'll say is music. Yet loving music and loving certain types of music are two different things. Every once in a while being recommended something completely different to what you like helps to broaden ones love of music. I personally am a music fiend, listening to anything someone will give me. If I like it, I like it. If I don't, give it time and I probably will one day hehe. I love making mix cds for friends, filled with nuggets of gold they've never heard before and then hearing their excitement from listening to the music love I've shared. And I love recommending music for anyone who'll ask. So every week I aim to give you my 10 current favourite songs of the week, that's right - a whole 10 of them! :)
This weeks contenders are:
Peaches - Downtown
This is the latest single from her forth album, Impeach My Bush, and is very catchy. I've been giving the new album a whirl after seeing this lovely lass recently at the Big Day Out festival. Peaches is known for her rather sexual stage shows and song lyrics, and her electro/rock beats. Defiantly one of the best performers I've seen live.
Akufen - Skidoos
I only recently found out that Akufen is from Montreal, Canada. He's listed as 'click-hop' though I don't think he's overly clicky, or hoppy for that matter. This song was always one playing in my house by my partner, yet admittedly I didn't appreciate the song until I saw it in Appleseed (2004). The clicky sounds remind me of photography cameras, and the progression build up is wonderfully done. Chill out to it, shop to it, anything is good!
Pink Martini - Hang On Little Tomato
There is always a band that comes along that makes you go 'Damn, I wish I was in that band.' Pink Martini is one of these bands for me. This song, the title track of their second album of the same name, is a beautiful jazz like 1940s piece, complete with clarinet solo. A song to have a cup of tea to, or to hang the washing out to. It reminds me of 1940s housewives, hanging out washing and singing to their plants. China Forbes voice is stunning, as always, and the message in the lyrics is quite heartfelt.
Mr Scruff - Blackpool Roll
If you don't know Mr Scruff, you should. He creates fun, jazzy, downtempo tunes -sometimes with samples of children's book quotes. I don't think you can dislike Mr Scruff, he's just fun. This song is no exception, and like it's title it reminds me of Blackpool. The lights, the seaside attractions, those games where you put the penny in to hit the tray of pennies in hopes to knock them out and win a fortune but you never actually knock them out - you know the ones right? I love the organ in this, it's so cheesy.
Bright Eyes - At The Bottom Of Everything
So Bright Eyes is apparently called 'emo' music, a term which I usually associate with "bands" like My Chemical Romance. If anything, Bright Eyes is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist. This song starts as a story, a underlying tragic story at that, but the music makes it sound so upbeat that you forget the story starts off as being tragic. This song makes my bus trip to school all the more fun, subtlety smiling to myself as I listen to this gem through my headphones.
Amy Winehouse - Fuck Me Pumps
This chick has some great vocal chords! More recently known for being the voice behind a series of ads in the UK, she also has caused much scandal about her drinking behavior and possible anorexia. This song basically praises the many skanky like gold-digger women out there, braving the social scene. It's twinkly element makes it rather pretty sounding, and reminds me of India Arie.
Cat Power - Cross Bones Style
An oldie but a goodie, I've been rediscovering Cat Power and her wonderful songs. This one is rather mellow, with a voice, guitar and drum. Yet still quite catchy. Cat Power has a mystique to her voice, I reckon, a smokey rasp that draws you in for more. The video clip to this is also pretty simple but pretty. Just check out the song!
Massive Attack - Be Thankful For What You Got
A classic! One of the best song Massive Attack has ever made, from their first album Blue Lines. The meaning of the words is spot on, and it has one of the best video clips I've ever seen - a stripper stripping while miming the song, yet you hardly notice the chick is stipping down to nothing. If you onlu know their stuff from Mezzanine you should check this out to hear where they came from.
Zero 7 - You're My Flame
Said to be the UK's version of Air, Zero 7 has to be one of the greatest downtempo acts ever, and one of my all time favourites. This song is off their third, and most recent, album The Garden. Sia, an Australian artist famous in her own rights, once again lends her vocals for this clicky upbeat track. A good song to get into if you've not heard of Zero 7 to start with.
Fiona Apple - O, Sailor
One of the singles of her latest album, Extraordinary Machine, I didn't think much of this song until one day I couldn't get it out of my head. I'm still fence sitting on my opinion of this album but so far it mostly seems good. Shes added vibraphones on this album, which will always get my attention from any artist. She'll always be an eternal favourite of mine, vibraphone or no vibraphone, so I'm biased either way :)
This week most of the artists have been of similar stature - nothing too noisy, chaotic or loud. I'm going through a rather relaxed music period at the moment, and I love it. But as time change, so does the music - next week could offer something different.
<3 Blackberry Moose
Current Favourite Music Tracks of the Week:
Everyone loves music, that's a given fact. I've become more aware of the fact that if you ask someone what they like, one of the first things they'll say is music. Yet loving music and loving certain types of music are two different things. Every once in a while being recommended something completely different to what you like helps to broaden ones love of music. I personally am a music fiend, listening to anything someone will give me. If I like it, I like it. If I don't, give it time and I probably will one day hehe. I love making mix cds for friends, filled with nuggets of gold they've never heard before and then hearing their excitement from listening to the music love I've shared. And I love recommending music for anyone who'll ask. So every week I aim to give you my 10 current favourite songs of the week, that's right - a whole 10 of them! :)
This weeks contenders are:
Peaches - Downtown
This is the latest single from her forth album, Impeach My Bush, and is very catchy. I've been giving the new album a whirl after seeing this lovely lass recently at the Big Day Out festival. Peaches is known for her rather sexual stage shows and song lyrics, and her electro/rock beats. Defiantly one of the best performers I've seen live.
Akufen - Skidoos
I only recently found out that Akufen is from Montreal, Canada. He's listed as 'click-hop' though I don't think he's overly clicky, or hoppy for that matter. This song was always one playing in my house by my partner, yet admittedly I didn't appreciate the song until I saw it in Appleseed (2004). The clicky sounds remind me of photography cameras, and the progression build up is wonderfully done. Chill out to it, shop to it, anything is good!
Pink Martini - Hang On Little Tomato
There is always a band that comes along that makes you go 'Damn, I wish I was in that band.' Pink Martini is one of these bands for me. This song, the title track of their second album of the same name, is a beautiful jazz like 1940s piece, complete with clarinet solo. A song to have a cup of tea to, or to hang the washing out to. It reminds me of 1940s housewives, hanging out washing and singing to their plants. China Forbes voice is stunning, as always, and the message in the lyrics is quite heartfelt.
Mr Scruff - Blackpool Roll
If you don't know Mr Scruff, you should. He creates fun, jazzy, downtempo tunes -sometimes with samples of children's book quotes. I don't think you can dislike Mr Scruff, he's just fun. This song is no exception, and like it's title it reminds me of Blackpool. The lights, the seaside attractions, those games where you put the penny in to hit the tray of pennies in hopes to knock them out and win a fortune but you never actually knock them out - you know the ones right? I love the organ in this, it's so cheesy.
Bright Eyes - At The Bottom Of Everything
So Bright Eyes is apparently called 'emo' music, a term which I usually associate with "bands" like My Chemical Romance. If anything, Bright Eyes is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist. This song starts as a story, a underlying tragic story at that, but the music makes it sound so upbeat that you forget the story starts off as being tragic. This song makes my bus trip to school all the more fun, subtlety smiling to myself as I listen to this gem through my headphones.
Amy Winehouse - Fuck Me Pumps
This chick has some great vocal chords! More recently known for being the voice behind a series of ads in the UK, she also has caused much scandal about her drinking behavior and possible anorexia. This song basically praises the many skanky like gold-digger women out there, braving the social scene. It's twinkly element makes it rather pretty sounding, and reminds me of India Arie.
Cat Power - Cross Bones Style
An oldie but a goodie, I've been rediscovering Cat Power and her wonderful songs. This one is rather mellow, with a voice, guitar and drum. Yet still quite catchy. Cat Power has a mystique to her voice, I reckon, a smokey rasp that draws you in for more. The video clip to this is also pretty simple but pretty. Just check out the song!
Massive Attack - Be Thankful For What You Got
A classic! One of the best song Massive Attack has ever made, from their first album Blue Lines. The meaning of the words is spot on, and it has one of the best video clips I've ever seen - a stripper stripping while miming the song, yet you hardly notice the chick is stipping down to nothing. If you onlu know their stuff from Mezzanine you should check this out to hear where they came from.
Zero 7 - You're My Flame
Said to be the UK's version of Air, Zero 7 has to be one of the greatest downtempo acts ever, and one of my all time favourites. This song is off their third, and most recent, album The Garden. Sia, an Australian artist famous in her own rights, once again lends her vocals for this clicky upbeat track. A good song to get into if you've not heard of Zero 7 to start with.
Fiona Apple - O, Sailor
One of the singles of her latest album, Extraordinary Machine, I didn't think much of this song until one day I couldn't get it out of my head. I'm still fence sitting on my opinion of this album but so far it mostly seems good. Shes added vibraphones on this album, which will always get my attention from any artist. She'll always be an eternal favourite of mine, vibraphone or no vibraphone, so I'm biased either way :)
This week most of the artists have been of similar stature - nothing too noisy, chaotic or loud. I'm going through a rather relaxed music period at the moment, and I love it. But as time change, so does the music - next week could offer something different.
<3 Blackberry Moose
Monday, 5 February 2007
.. And it begins....
Instead of just looking at packets of brightly coloured items of confectionary and thinking "that looks mighty inviting", or listening to endless tracks of music and thinking how so-and-so would love this song, I finally decided to share these things with the world! Why tell one person when you can tell a whole planet full. So here's where this blog comes in...
This feed of words hopes to recommend, praise, note observations and share the love of many things hidden within the world of pop culture - a realm inside of itself! Everyone loves pop culture, it really can be found everywhere, yet so much of it goes unnoticed and unspoken about. Here's where I come in. I shamelessly spend a lot of my time tasting, thinking, daydreaming, listening, talking, questioning, researching and generally wasting time, and have come to fall in love with many simple things in life - such as the sound of a great song, the taste of an awesome sweet, or a beautiful doddle of graffiti art hidden in the sidestreets of the city. There is love to be found in everything and every aspect of our waking lives, so why not celebrate! I intend to regularly post my current 'flavours of the week', so to speak, ranging from food to music, films to design, websites to party tricks. The list never ends.
So sit back and enjoy your reading adventures with your wonderful host, Blackberry Moose.
<3 Blackberry Moose
This feed of words hopes to recommend, praise, note observations and share the love of many things hidden within the world of pop culture - a realm inside of itself! Everyone loves pop culture, it really can be found everywhere, yet so much of it goes unnoticed and unspoken about. Here's where I come in. I shamelessly spend a lot of my time tasting, thinking, daydreaming, listening, talking, questioning, researching and generally wasting time, and have come to fall in love with many simple things in life - such as the sound of a great song, the taste of an awesome sweet, or a beautiful doddle of graffiti art hidden in the sidestreets of the city. There is love to be found in everything and every aspect of our waking lives, so why not celebrate! I intend to regularly post my current 'flavours of the week', so to speak, ranging from food to music, films to design, websites to party tricks. The list never ends.
So sit back and enjoy your reading adventures with your wonderful host, Blackberry Moose.
<3 Blackberry Moose
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