Sleepy Bed Head

This morning, I've been extra sleepy. I struggled to set up the cafe on time. I didn't think anyone else would be in this morning 'til half eleven, so I was surprised when Kira, the manager, appeared through the door just after ten, me knelt behind the bar with a sweaty fringe trying to get all the dirt off my shoes.

I haven't updated in a couple of days...I've been doing so well after my hiatus, it's time to keep it up. My blog is therapeutic.
I don't think I ever would have started this blog if I had stayed in Canada. My original intention was to use this as an outlit for keeping in touch with my mate's in Canada, now, it's more like a way to reduce the amount I talk to myself each day. Right now, I can hear my own voice in my head.... 'la la laaaa' oops, that was out loud.

Hey! The house behind me has a fig tree which partially hangs over my back fence. This was discovered by Steph and Josh the other day, so yesterday Josh and I used some gardening tools to snatch away six very delicious figs. Untill yesterday, I had never had a real fig before! They're so good!!! If only I could keep all the birds and bats out...
Saying, 'good' just reminded me of this Nick Hornby novel called, 'How to be Good'. It was hard to get through. Hmmm...maybe I didn't finish it. Oh well, I'm not a Horby fan I guess, save for High Fidelity.

Blah blah blah!!!!!!!!!


My Dirty Shoes.

Big Day Out was on Monday. It was awesome. It's been years since I last went to a big festival. I went to Rocket in Hong Kong in '05 and '06 but that's a pretty small deal compared to anything outside of Asia.
These are the bands I managed to catch throughout the day.

Rage Against the Machine
Bjork
Arcade Fire
Spoon
LCD Soundsystem
Pnau
Operator Please
Regurjatator
Midnight Juggarnauts
Battles
Silverchair

I'll start by proudly saying that I did not intend to watch Silverchair! It was an accident I swear! My poor ears must be hating me! I saw them once when I was a wee fella and they still played loud stuff. They very, very surprisingly played the old tune, Freak. Ah the nostalgia! And weren't so bad over all. My favourite acts of the day? well...

PNAU!!!!!!!
ACRADE FIRE!!!!!
BJORK!!!!!

In that order. Of course, a lot beer was sloshing around inside me by the time Rage and LCD soundsystem hopped on stage, thus making both extremely fun! But, the top three were just incredible. Spoon comes in fourth:) They had some tough competition and didn't play my favourite song! buggers
I'm very happy to have seen Rage and witness how fucking crazy people got during their set. Guys were climbing up skinny trees, on top of the 30 foot tall beer tent, and pretty much anything else that rose above their own drunken heads. It was fantastic. Josh, Steph and I hung back during Rage. We had no interest in getting crushed and had been dancing all day. Cut off time was ten and beer tickets needed to be put to good use, another reason for keeping away from the front lines.

Pnau played under a huge tent full of lights, GIANT! balloons and ten dancing maskots, from a rabid, pointy tooth strawberry, a happy sun, to a lightening bolt and other hilarious getups.

Bjork isn't just a musician. She really is a performance artist of the highest order. Closing with a song I only recently discovered, and immediately fell in love with, Declare Independence. She dedicated it to the aboriginal people of Australia, yelling the most prominent lines over the crowd, "Declare independence! Don't let them do that to you!" as massive clouds of plastic confetti burst from somewhere high above the singer's head and down onto the crowds'. The song was original written for the people of Greenland but works perfectly for any country and it's citizen's who disregard 'their' lands original inhabitants. Canada, America and Australia are always the first to pop in my head. But there are so many others. What do we do about it? Their world has been destoyed. We screwed up didn't we. Imagine if the world's ocean's were just a bit more trecherous. So much would be different.

My Addiction.

Rob was kind enough to tell me about a great website for manga's of all sorts. There are soooo many I've never even heard of and I really thought I was doing a good job of being an anime nerd lately. Ah well.
I've been catching up on one of my favs called, Bleach. I don't know what the title has to do with the storyline.....maybe at the end the main character says, 'fuck it' and drinks a load of bleach. That would be most disapointing! If you're reading this Kubo Tite, please don't get any ideas!
So, yup yup Bleach has been keeping me away from my bloggy love. I'm now switching to and fro my blog and Bleach...focus focus focus.

Sorry Kachun, Brent and Smipsy! This is such a long one. I think you're the only three that read this swirl of letters of mine. wooooooooooooaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh

For frosty Smipsy:
Wear fuzzy slippers on your hands and ears too:P yaaaaaaaaaaahh!

time to find some dandy pictures full of goodness and self rising yeast.
Enjoy:)

buga buga bebs

sweet dreams nice people

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTRALIA!!!!!!

Last night involved mucho cervesa. Waking up at seven for work was a challange for my stomach but after I started going I didn't have a single moment of digestive relapse. My last post was created after consuming impressive amounts of a fantastic amber called Mountain Goat. No matter how many times I tell myself to stay away from communication devices whilst drunk I just never seem to uphold the noble idea.

Anywho!
It's Australia day today!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSSIE LAND!! You're my new lovely home. Australia is such a beautiful country. I'm lucky enough to have had the pleasure of crossing a vast amount of it from Perth to Sydney:) The nullabor is soooo beautiful.

Now I'm free after a morning of work work work.
Big Day Out is in 2 days!

We're off to celebrate with the smiley sun and Coopers...my favourite aussie beer:P

have a lovely day everyone!
bebs

beeeeeer in meeeeee

okay, sooooo I wrote a semi long post about my day and how crazy it was being thrown into the world of everything all at once. But! who cares about that boring business. I'm stuck in the world of candy floss, no cavities, crazy kid's names and smipsy! She's coming to melbourne. I'm elated!

Everything is my life is lovely.
I got another job today. Out of 19 people I was one of two hired. My interviewer said that she loved me! Obviously she was speaking in terms of personality:)
With this job I can work anywhere in Australia! so so so good. I'm a happy man indeed. Smipsy is coming. Now, all I need to do is not completely freak out thus scaring away my twin.

Ho yah!

ngoh ho hoi sum ah!!!!!!!

bebbbbbbbby

bright yellow ball

My friend Smipsy isn't feeling very chipper today. I think we're so alike that it's rubbing off on me. She shouldn't be broken hearted. I felt the same when Sharon dumped me. For the first time since I started dating I was actually single and going through the motions of heart ache by myself. Then I met Urgyan. She's such a joy. We met in Hong Kong and loved every minute together. There was no bullshit between us. I was leaving for Australia, she for Beijing. I know we would be incredible together but there may never be a time when we can give it a try. I still have moments when I really need to distract myself or I could easily drop into a lovesick rut. That won't happen though. Sharon left me with the gift of control and a yellow flying v bass guitar. I'm a thoroughly happier guy after finally getting over Sharon, more patient, considerate and far more aware of how I spend my time. But! I'm cornering myself now aren't I. The point is that I would give the biggest hug ever to my sad friend, even/especially if she punched me in the stomach right after:)

Did you know that the memories you're able to access change depending on your mood? If your memories and the way you process information change with your mood, then when you're depressed you're actually a completely different person from when your angry or cheerful. Very interesting stuff. I very highly recommend a book called Quantum Psychology by Robery Anton Wilson. Becoming more aware of how I continually process information has been essential to controlling my moods. I'm a way freaking cheerier fella these days!!

Down to daily life:
Work this morning was tiring and wonderful. Three hours of constant bustle then home briefly before Josh and I headed into the city to busk. Literally, just as we were about to get off the tram I got a call from work and away we went again in the direction of home. A quick change into an old shirt and there I was at work painting the mens room for four hours. Noooowwww, I'm pooped! It was so freaking hot painting with no fresh air and the floor being heated by the constant flames of the kitchen below.

On tonight's menu....dumplings! Freshly made by Brendan, Josh and Steph.
It's time to dig in.
I've missed dummmplllinnngssssss.
If you were a dumpling I would gladly eat you. But you'd have to be some sort of mutant vegetable person so I could maintain my veggie ways.

Smipsy, a big hand licked high five to you ms. lovely!

cheers!
bebs:)

it's true, I really do

sometimes I paint in my boxers

More tea!

My first day of work was easy breezy. I had to lug a bunch of stuff outside, sort out all the inner workings, clean tables, cut fruit, do a hand stand and drink a pint of Carlton. Two and a half hours of uh huh, okay, yep, no worries and ninja like stealth break beats.

Heath Leger died. I wish he didn't. He was going to teach me the secret of winning at Connect 4 every time. Jerk! Plus, I've enjoyed his performances. It's always a shame when someone of promise dies in their twenties. My twenties so far have been astounding. I'm incredibly fortunate to have the family I do and that includes my friends. The problem with meetings your best mate's in Hong Kong is that nearly no one stays put. Shaun and Gabe seem pretty solid there but rob's off being english at uni, kachun has pooped off to red sun territory and Danny and Gregles are being goofballs in Vancouver for a while.
Everyone please move to vancouver because you love me like a new born steak and that's where I'm going.

Playing with the idea of being a hair stylist for a while, I've decided to study the trade in Hongcouver. I want something of value that I can take with me during my on going adventures around the spice route.

I was exhausted after work but now I'm being powered by a tomato sandwich and tea. I'm addicted!!!!!!! I can't believe I used to dislike tomato's so much as a kid. Stupid kid tongues with their sensitive taste buds. I used to hate olive's too but my oh my are they ever good, pertaining that they're good olives and not...you know...bad olives.

Tilly and the Wall
Dr. Dog
Two Gallants
TV on the Radio
Kimya Dawson

...these are my new favourite aural friends. I've rediscovered Mountian Goats too. I plan on stealing style and fashion tips from all of these people.

hmmm...
Kachun! teach me Japanese.
Smipsy! Don't worry...I don't scare easily. We are twins. I'm way too excited for the day we make a collaboritive artist explosion. All we need is pipe cleaners a stop motion camera and a small room with three steps going nowhere.

I think that's it. yeah. I'm stuck into my blog these days...feeling grooovy.
Now to find a picture. wait here, I'll be right back.

I often paint in my boxers. they're just like shorts only softer.

busking time

breadan... nope...brenfast...nope...brendan...that's the one.

SUCH A GREAT DAY , I'M FEELING CAPITAL !

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVELY NAT O!!!!!!!

raaa raaaaa! I couldn't sleep last night. My day of playing with html surviving on tea and tomato sandwiches may have been a bad idea....but they're both so damn good!

soooo, I set my alarm and managed to get out of bed, got dressed and filled my thermos with more tasty tea. A very healthy start I think. I found my way to an interview to be one of those lovely street people that everyone walks by, who try desperatly to tell us about why we should donate to green peace, amnesty and other charity jazz.
I found out that those people taking your info make 14-16 dollars ah hour. Seems pretty steep for a non-profit charity organization doesn't it?

BUT! I do need money. Off I went to the longest and most enjoyable interview I've ever had. 19 people, starting with a self intro, then two seperate debates. My debate was art vs essential services, like health care and education, a stupid debate but they obviously just wanted to see how we handle situations of conflict. I jumped on the side of art and happily shot down the other side. It's been a long while since I've had a proper debate! Then! They sent us out on the street for ten minutes to see how many people we could get to answer the question of which charity they'd most likely donate to given three options. Being in the centre of melbourne's business district it was a bit tricky stopping the marching suit people. Back to the board room to fill out a nice, long application involving paragraphs of green friendly answers. I was very tempted to write jokes about being a lumberjacks and eating bear pies whilst sitting in my new dolphin skin arm chair.... but no no no... bad brendan!! Nine people were sent home and the remainders, like promissing ole me, finished it all off with a two on one interview. Thirty-five minutes of questioning and I went on my hungry way towards home.

Almost forgot! I met a very cool gal at the interview with a head full of dreds, we exchanged mobile numbers and soon will hit the streets together for some sun filled busking. Me on guitar, she on le drums.

Planning to kick it myself with some wild haired, weird hearted guitar antics I popped back out with josh's giant djemb (west africian bongo drum) strapped on my back and my six strings of love in my hand. A slight detour to hand out a few more resume's before hitting the CBD I walked into a nice little spot called Wilde Oscar's and within five minutes I got the job!!
I'm being proped up now only by elation and anxious anticipation. I start tomorrow at nine:)

Finally....a job.

And! I've made a new friend. Her name is Smipsy. I swear to you she's real, though I've never met her it's obvious we're both kooky and playful with our words, being expressive and exuberant with artistic twist. It feels very childlike to announce a new friendship so concretly, but I'm still a kid after all. I hope I never feel embarressed for my honest ways.

Two bottles of bubbles and a gorgeous thai curry a la josh to celebrate and nouvelle vague on the stereo...
goooooooo! ! !

bebs

Baby Hands Up

I noticed today that this blog o' mine has been running for a few years now. To celebrate I've spent the day tweeking a new blog template, as you hopefully have noticed by now. In the process of moving from old to new I lost all links to various blogs and little fun things. Some exploration had to be done to find my old and new friends. It was nice reading little biscuits from everyone's lives, learning of their progressions and being reminded of humours lost through Einstein's eyes.
I found one blog, a collaboration from old high school mates, writing about the world of music. It's all thoroughly amusing. I highly recommend having a look. I've added a link to their blog called Power, Corruption & Lies. Enjoy.

Tomorrow, I'll hit the streets again after having learnt a couple of new tunes. I hope to make about 50 dollars but I don't actually care much about the cash. My favourite part is the little conversations I get to have with people and the level of comfort that comes with playing in front of a passing audience. Being on the street with my guitar is also a terrific modivation to play a lot more than I normally would throughout the day.

a forgotten draft from 06.06.07

sooooooooooooo, everything's going well.
I've gained some of the hearing back in my left ear, with the aid of a batch of antibiotics. I need to go in to a clinic sometime next week to get some blood work done. Nothing beats a good health check. I'm also doing it so I can see if I'm able to donate blood, something I've wanted to do for years, but with a near yearly arrival of a new tattoo i've always been unable to do so.

I was asked to join my mates' band, Dirty Dan and the Seven Seas (pirate rock music...they're amazing, really) I agreed, of course, so now their stage presence is getting more and more involved, with seven members (I think) I'll be the newest addition playing the melodica, backup vox and general tom-foolery. Their playing a show tonight for another Star crossed Tattoo's showcase, where I'll be playing spectator untill we have a few practices together.

My day's, I'm starting to see, are being booked in advance and I'm starting to feel a bit pressured to keep up appearences with different people. I'm not a popular guy and I never try to pretend that I am, but my "why not" mantra to most invitations is starting to get in the way with my precious 'sitting on my ass' time, even my lovely exercise filled thursday's when I typically ride my bike and go for a hike to Lion Rock are starting to be interrupted.
After my last serious relationship, I've searched for the same feeling I had then.....but it's clearly gone. There's no one around here who could make me want to be good in everyway. So, I've developed a very selfish attitude towards relationships and any dates that I do go on.

As a warning to anyone out there whom I may meet. I may see you once....we may get along....I may tell you that it'd be great to see you again......but the truth is that I just want to spend some time with my mates, and most night's go home to my quiet flat, let the rabbit's hop about me as I sit cross legged painting a picture.

Mental Medicine

The last two days Josh and I have been hitting the Melbourne streets with a guitar and some other little noise makers, making enough to support our love of beer and fine food. The first day I was pretty anxious, so I was really glad to have Josh banging along on his bongo to a few tunes. I brought along my sketchbook and wrote, 'Trying to get back to Canada' in big blue letters and proped it up in my guitar case. I got a lot of smiles and I'm sure it helped to bring in a few dollars. In two hours we counted 42 aus dollars, a button, a lolipop and a piece of paper with a girls contact saying, "I've decided that I want to put you in a jar and take you home". ... the perfect ego boost.

Before going out I made a list of every song I could remember how to play, plus five covers which I've learnt recently. Having them all in front of me was like looking back on a golden path. Some songs I wrote about someone in my life, some when I was down or joyous, others when I was frustrated and trying desperately to push to a higher level. They were all there, looking just as anxious as I was about coming out into the world again.

Day two, there was a lot more competition. Friday afternoon, there was a busker, artist or homeless person on every single bustling corner. Three solid hours of playing later I had 53 dollars in my case. My sign came through once again, with some obvious Canadians throwing in some change shouting, 'Go Canada!'.

Tonight, Steph, Josh and I are heading out for a Canadian fix. We're going to see Caribou (the musician from Dundas, not the animal). Steph is out having a wander. Josh has just popped out to buy beer. I'm going to polish up on my Elvis.

bebs

yesterday

Before I forget...

Two days of ear ringing...

On the second I saw Buck 65, on the third was The Go Team! who by the way, were just incredible! I've never seen a band so energetic, so crazy, so multi instrumental and still so together ever before.

There, that's better.


Yesterday, I got off my consistantly lazy ass and took josh's bike for a spin. I ended up in the Abbotsford Convent, which was a good thing because that's where I was hoping to land.

The Abbotsford Convent, was, as it's name 'hints', a convent. But on some year, some day and some moment prior to this one, the convent was saved from death by the melbourne community and transformed into a lovely gardens, artist haven, cafe, restaurant, market and on and on.

At the gates, I tied up josh's little bmx style bike and wandered the sun flavoured grounds for a while. It was very relaxing and after mentally removing everyone else there, it felt like I was back in the 1800's.

Proping myself up at a wooden picnic table I happily sipped some microbrewery beer that cost too much and dove into my sketchbook.


Last night I took Tolstoy out to the Great Britian Pub. This place has a great open mic on wednesday's and the decor is quite cool, with stripes of different victorian wallpaper and sofa's everywhere. The stage is a good size, people are supportive and the sound is great. Plus there's a basement bar that's open on the weekends where they usually play a great mix of mo town.
So, I'm reading Man and Master right now, and really enjoyed hanging out having a pint, drawn up in a bar stoole last night.

What should I do today?
Taking a number from my good friend Kachun, I'm going to start posting an image with each update. But, unlike him I will not publish each post in english and chinese. Sorry everyone.
okay, the picture wouldn't upload so...nothing today.


cheers
bebs

Grave digging ideas

I haven't updated my blog since mid october, probably because so much has happened that it's easier to let things ferment into fond memories than document them.

I landed in Western Australia and spent a month in fremantle, working any cash in hand gig I could manage and finally made my way to my sis, Steph and her boyfriend, Josh's flat in Melbourne.

Their flat is perfect for painting, with it's high sky bound window's, a fresh breeze and open atmosphere I've thrown myself back into the world of painting. I had barely painted during the last two years in Hong Kong, lacking any solid inspiration worth developing, space and time. The last effort I made was some two years ago I bought a large roll of canvas and lugged this huge role around with me all night from bar to bar, then geneously forgot it in the taxi when I was at my doorstep. Buying that roll really put my finances to the test. Losing it was clearly something that needed to happen for me to take a good long break and have a good long dwell.

For the past month, Steph and Josh have been in Ireland visiting my parents for the holidays, leaving me to my own devices here in the house. It's been lonely at times, and I only recently noticed that I talk to myself a lot when I cook and paint, but generally I've enjoyed the last month.

The highlight of December was definately the little Hong Kong reunion in Sydney. I flew to Sydney to meet Natalie and Shaun at a flat right on bondi that lovely nat had organized. Later came Adriana and La-Ra and Shaun Mohan. I've never felt too comfortable spending much time on the beach. Probably because I'm incredibly white, burn quickly and can never find where I left my towel once I take my glasses off to go swimming. Right, so this reunion involved a lot of beer and beach and felt like home, surrounded by some of my best friends, I now have a love for the beach. The Australian surf can get pretty strong and extremely fun as well.

This week I'll post some photo's of my journey across Australia, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Happy new year everyone.
Brendan