a girl made of truth & wild horses

Scholarship!

2008-04-24T12:37:21Z

While I am yet to hear how my applications for the bigger degree pathway scholarships have fared (blogged about in very dodgy terms here), I've received a letter from RMIT advising me -- 'Congratulations!'

My application for a Student Support Scholarship has been successful!

The University is giving me $1,000.00 toward the expense of materials and general study costs while undertaking the Diploma in Music Industry (Technical Production).

This is great because the debt I've racked up studying so far this year is $1,010.00.

I actually don't expect to get the bigger scholarships, as I know without re-reading my applications, I hit some wrong notes. The structure of those submissions is a lot more confused. Maybe that has no bearing, but I just don't think it'll go through.

But "Yay!" for the Student Support Scholarship.

RMIT. What a contrast to the other place, huh?

Concise Meme

2008-04-24T09:08:14Z

Appropriated from theonebob

"You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.

Not as easy as you might think. Remember: one word answers."
-- theonebob (he wears a smile - everybody run!)

1. Where is your mobile phone? Charging
2. Your significant other? Young
3. Your hair? Big
4. Your mother? Dramatic
5. Your father? Driven
6. Your favorite thing? Air
7. Your dream last night? Submerged
8. Your favorite drink? No
9. Your dream/goal? Big
10. The room you're in? Cold
11. Your ex? Cunt
12. Your fear? Splat
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Rockin!
14. Where were you last night? Bed
15. What you're not? Crazy
16. Muffins? Buttocks
17. One of your wish list items? Monitors
18. Where you grew up? Burbs
19. The last thing you did? Publicity
20. What are you wearing? Black
21. Your TV? Abandoned
22. Your pets? Waggy
23. Your computer? Shiny
24. Your life? Improving
25. Your mood? Determined
26. Missing someone? Young
27. Your car? Damn
28. Something you're not wearing? Codpiece
29. Favorite Store? Book
30. Your summer? Sober
31. Like someone? Young
32. Your favorite color? Black
33. When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
34. Last time you cried? Forgotten

Event Management > Publicity Writing

2008-04-24T08:30:01Z

Event Management is one of the (more sensibly named) subjects I'm taking this year at RMIT. In many ways, I could probably teach this class, but it's part of the diploma, so I'm doing my hours as a student must do.

We're putting on a fairly big gig in June - an album launch for Nicky Bomba and The Drummers Of Katoomba. As a precursor to that, we have two fundraiser events - and I've put my hand up to write the publicity materials, and get the info to the media. (I know a bit about that too.) I've already penned my share of professional Media Releases - but the one for this gig is kinda nice and shiny, so I thought I'd blog it here.

Bad publicity writing is really easy, and good publicity writing is really hard. It's supposed to be accessible, and punchy, not highbrow, yet not moronic. (The above is easily as good as anything I get in my in box as a journalist - a comparison by which I do myself a disservice, given the grammatical backyard abortion that is most metal press releases.)

One of the difficult things about the above PR is that the gig is one I'd try not to book (if I were working as a venue booker). Putting those styles together makes it hard to promote - the only thing the bands have in common is guitars and difference. I'm sure it'll be a fun night, but it's not an easy thing to plug. It's not about anything.

I couldn't resist sneaking in a literary horror reference, and thus it smacks of Lovecraft meets Absolutely Fabulous! Now those are two things that I never imagined I'd lump together... not even in the name of ROCK. Just goes to show, coffee is evil.

Dying Breed

2008-04-20T09:49:06Z

I just published a Press Release over at HorrorScope, regarding a new Australian horror feature film called Dying Breed. Looks quite good over at their website. Unfortunately the Cast & Crew section doesn't include who scored the film, although the flash website plays a fair whack of it. Lots of synths... which doesn't tell you much. You can't read the credits on the trailer either...

The Young One & The Sincerest Form Of Flattery

2008-04-19T10:55:21Z

Some people who read this journal already know this - but I have a boyfriend. His name is Scott, and he plays guitar. He's not bad.

A guy in France has had a crack at working out some of Scott's guitar parts for the big single (bit of a misnomer, given it's metal) from the Alarum album Eventuality. The guy used it as a kind of online audition for another band in Australia (not Alarum), and posted the clip on YouTube. Well Scott had heard about it, but not seen it - so today (after he'd kindly taken me to Officeworks to get printer cartridges), we sat down and looked up the clip.

It's interesting because he's not actually playing Scott's part, and he's not playing Mark Evans' part either - he's concocted a mish-mash of the two from listening to the song. It's understandable, since they tend to very much trade lead roles throughout the album. Some of what the guy is playing, is completely not from the song Velocity, he's just fluffed a part together out of thin air. And the solo - which is Scott's solo - the guy has made position choices that make it an extremely difficult solo. I wonder if that is ego? It's not how Scott wrote it or plays it, as he's actually not an especially tech-focused player (despite having done the tech metal thing). The guys right hand technique actually looks a bit like Evans picking.

Anyway, it is an interesting piece of imitation.

If you're interested in checking out the original song, this is the shiny video clip by director Jimmy Icon - who is also the creative powerhouse behind BeatTV, and plays drums in Bowelmouth. (It's all about the poo.)

Like I said, my boyfriend, he's not bad. Unfortunately, he doesn't really possess chameleon powers of camoflage. Or fortunately.

Wish me luck.

2008-04-18T09:35:07Z

Today I applied for two scholarships to go to unichversity.

I am applications #1953 and #1954. Rock'n'Roll.

So there are at least 1952 other wannabe unichs in line.

My applications were strong -

good grades
leadership roles
community activities
rah rah rah...

But I have no sense of expectation.

1952 is a lot of unichs.

My Slogan Should Be...

2008-04-17T23:34:33Z

Your Slogan Should Be

Talie. Not for Everyone.

The Slogan Generator

Thank fuck, not everyone.

MassAppeal - Nobody Likes A Thinker

2008-04-16T07:55:24Z

Inspired by...

andrewmacrae 's post featuring cool hand-drawn oldschool punk art. The angsty guy with the pills on the side-table in the Cut Sick fold-out reminded me of this old MassAppeal t-shirt - although it's not as IN YOUR FACE!

Mass Appeal - Nobody Likes A Thinker, originally uploaded by Talie Helene.

Illustration by Ben Brown. It's in good condition, because like my metal shirts, they get handwashed to stop the print crazing and crackling and loosing that odd rubber smell. (Not very punk of me, I know.)

This is my fave punk t-shirt - actually, it is my only punk t-shirt. Why would I want or need another?

O, by the way MassAppeal have reformed, and have re-releases out or coming out on Chatterbox locally and Relapse internationally. They have a MySpace like every other band in the world, only cooler.

Talie Takes A Crack At The Song Meme.

2008-04-16T03:59:04Z

Ages ago - eons ago - morgan303 posted The Song Meme.

About the song that plays for that scene - you know, that scene -
that streetscape walk on a windy day
some perfect day
or that heavy day
that crystalline day
in the movie of your life.

And because I'm an introspective arsehole (nice image), I've been thinking about it for ages, eons...

This was the deal:

So, now it's your turn. What's your theme song, for that scene? It doesn't have to be your favourite song, or even the song that sums you up (because honestly, who has one of those?), but it's the song that plays while the camera pans alongside you as you saunter or stalk or swish. Why? And optional: what are you wearing? For extra points, give us some sort of Youtube link because I don't know shite about modern music and may never have heard of whatever it is you choose.:)

morgan303

The song that gets to put a filmscore composer out of work while I go just a-walking down the street?

I'm going with this...

Why? Once a Doom Princess, always a Doom Princess, I suppose. I don't think I'll ever 100% get away from that moribund romantic metal (although I'm not a conservative or exclusive metalhead, and neither am I a softcore one - my record collection would make those big tattooed oafs out there CRY, it is stocked with classics). I'm a sucker for the sad stuff, but I'm also a sucker for the cheeseball heroic stuff. And don't you just know I try to live like that, in those moments of black burst dashes toward brilliance. Between the grey heartbeats, and the silence, and the terrible knowing.

And more personally, as an artist/as a person (these are not separate things) I'm going through a process where somewhere in the hurricane hope is waiting - it isn't hopeless, but there's still a cold and burning road, and such wreckage to negotiate.

What am I wearing? Fuck. I have an insanely large wardrobe of fucking gorgeous outfits, and I rarely wear anything but low-key boring shit because I'm always rushing from one thing to the next. Perhaps something I'll balance one day. I'd like to trot out some more fun clothes, coz hey this is life... and I really ought to get more fashion conscious, because, fuck, it's a long song.

Did I even mention I don't have the shoes to go with the outfits, I'm often between shoes and limping with blisters, because shoes cannot be thrift-shopped if you have to wear two pairs of explorer socks over your stockings in a ladies size 5. (That's a UK size 36.) Out with mass production and bring back the cobblers, I say.

And thus ends Talie Takes A Crack At The Song Meme.

Your turn...

Writers Block - Cured!

2008-04-16T01:26:38Z

Haiku² for taliehelene
doo pa doo pa doo pa doo pa doo pa doo pa bap ba bap pa ba
@

Created by Grahame

And I thought I was filling this journal up with self-censored bullshit...

AHWA News Updates [ 17.03.08 to 15.04.08 ]

2008-04-15T10:02:04Z

The following digest of recent horror news is compiled from pieces published to HorrorScope and the Australian Horror Writers' Association website.

Infinitas Newsletter April 2008
The Infinitas Newsletter - published by Infinitas Bookshop - is now available for April 2008 at www.infinitas.com.au. This months edition features the first installment of a serialised science fiction story by Steven Cavanagh, in addition to book reviews and publishing news.

April Australian Spec Fic Carnival

The Australian Spec Fic Carnival for April is being hosted by Eneit Press at their Livejournal. It features the usual eclectic speculative fiction related news from across the blogsphere.

NextG/Citysearch Horror Ad Campaign

...turning up all over Australian urban centres - in postcard, poster, and print advertisement form - to promote a mobile phone service connecting to the Citysearch cinema program. Ostensibly representing the horror flick as both something to avoid, with a subtext suggesting it is something to seek out, it's an interesting representation of the genre audience in mainstream media.

Trasharama A-go-go 2008 open for submissions

Trasharama A-go-go 2008 are now stalking short films for this years fest/comp. Seeking your horror, sci-fi, bad taste comedies, dodgymentaries and anything else you would consider low-brow entertainment.

Beauty & Dynamite by Alethea Kontis

Beauty and Dynamite collects several of Kontis's essays and other writings in Apex Publications' first book-length nonfiction release.

Black in Fashion - Mourning to Night

As part of the Black in Fashion: Mourning to Night exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, there will be a special seminar featuring NGV curators delivering in-depth discussion of the historic and contemporary significance and diversity of black in fashion.

Dark Wisdom magazine format change

Effective April 2008, Dark Wisdom magazine is being reorganized, and the quarterly print publication will be discontinued. Starting in 2009, Dark Wisdom will be released as an annual anthology. In addition, the Dark Wisdom website will be restructured, launching in late 2008 as an online magazine.

Sydney Writers' Festival

The 11th Sydney Writers' Festival will be held from Monday 19 to Sunday 25 May, at venues throughout Sydney, Australia.

Michael A. Burstein's Tuckerization Raffle

Apex Publications and award-winning writer Michael A. Burstein are pleased to announce that Apex Books is now ready to take pre-orders for I Remember the Future: The Award-Nominated Stories of Michael A. Burstein, which will be published in September.

Australian Shadows Award now open

The Australian Shadows Award for 2008 is now open for submissions. The Australian Shadows is an annual award presented by the Australian Horror Writers Association (AHWA) and judged on the overall effect - the skill, delivery, and lasting resonance - of a work of horror fiction written or edited by an Australian and published either in Australia or overseas.

Brimstone Press publishing survey

Brimstone Press is conducting a survey of Australian dark fiction publishing and reading habits. The survey is open from now until April 30 and can be found here. All HorrorScope readers are encouraged to participate, and some great prizes are on offer!

HorrorScope reaches 100,000 readers!

HorrorScope has achieved a number of significant milestones since its founding by Brimstone Press in 2005. The latest (and greatest) milestone to date is reaching 100,000 readers.

Kain Massin wins 2008 ABC Fiction Award

The winner of this year’s ABC Fiction Award is Adelaide-based high school teacher and speculative fiction writer Kain Massin. Kain is a member of the Blackwood Writers group and was co-editor of the 2006 anthology Tales from the Black Wood (Altair Australia Books). Kain will receive a $10,000 prize and publication with ABC Books.

Dowling wins Australian Shadows Award

Sydney-based author Terry Dowling has won Australia’s top horror fiction award, the 2007 Australian Shadows Award, for his short story “Toother” (published in the anthology Eclipse 1, edited by Jonathan Strahan, Night Shade Books).

Dymocks Southland Bestselling Horror Titles for March ‘08

Dymocks Southland is a general bookshop in Cheltenham, Victoria, boasting a fairly extensive range of genre stock. Visit the link for the top 10 bestselling horror titles for March 2008.

Dymocks Southland also publishes a monthly genre newsletter, Dymensions, which you can access online by joining the associated Yahoogroup at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dymensions_newsletter

Fantastic Planet Bestsellers March 2008

Fantastic Planet regularly announce Bestsellers, new arrivals and events via their Livejournal. Visit the link for recent Bestsellers list for March 2008 shows the following top sales.

The 21st annual Bram Stoker Awards ceremony available for viewing at Ustream.TV

The Horror Writers Association (HWA), World Horror Convention, and iSCIFI.tv broadcasted the 2007 Bram Stoker Awards ceremony live on the Internet on Saturday, March 29, 2008. This was the first time that the Stokers have been broadcast as they happen. iSCIFI.tv have made an archive of the podcast available in a series of streaming files at their profile at Ustream.tv

Showing at Screen Sect in April 2008

This April SCREEN SECT present a variety of cult and classic cinema, including Martin - a little-known gem from zombie-king George A. Romero, who here tackles vampire mythology in a contemporary, desolate urban setting, through the eyes of a disturbed young man who may or may not be the genuine, bloodsucking article.

The Bram Stoker Awards 2008 Winners!

The Horror Writers' Association has announced the winners for the Bram Stoker Awards.

The Sir Julius Vogel Awards 2008 Winners!

The Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Sir Julius Vogel Awards.

A Night of Horror Film Festival

A Night of Horror International Film Festival brings the world's best and bloodiest genre cinema to Sydney.

Popular Fiction Report at Writer's Digest

Michael J. Vaughn has published a feature deliving into "what's hot in Mystery/Crime, Romance, Horror, Thriller/Suspense and Science Fiction/Fantasy?" This comprehensive genre-by-genre market report is available online in the April issue of Writer's Digest, with definition breakdowns of sub-genres and essays from four bestselling-genre authors; Ramsey Campbell represents the darkside with his recent essay Why I Write Horror.

Doctor Infierno Australian Premiere

A Night of Horror International Film Festival present the Australian Premiere of Doctor Infierno, directed by Paco Limon (Spain, 2007).

Robert Dunbar's The Pines

In the fall of 2008, Leisure Books will again release The Pines. This will be the uncut version, never before published in paperback. At the same time, Delirium Books will release Martyrs & Monsters, a collection of Dunbar's short fiction, with an introduction by Greg F. Gifune. The collection will be published both as a limited edition hard back, and as a mass market paperback. The following spring, Leisure will release The Shore in its first paperback edition.

Australia in 2010 - a bid for the 2010 Worldcon

Australia has hosted the Worldcon - world science fiction convention - in 1975, 1985, and 1999 - now a dedicated Australian bid committee are hoping to do it again in 2010! For more details, visit the newly revamped website www.australia2010.org

La Antena (The Aerial) Australian Premiere

A Night of Horror International Film Festival presents the Australian Premiere of La Antena (The Aerial) directed by Estaban Sapir (Argentina, 2007 ).

Orgy of Souls by Wrath James White and Maurice Broaddus

Apex Publications announces the upcoming release of Orgy of Souls, a new novella by Maurice Broaddus and Wrath James White, on June 14, 2008.

Australian Premiere of The Chair

A Night of Horror International Film Festival presents a terrifying supernatural thriller from acclaimed director Brett Sullivan, the Australian Premiere of The Chair (Canada, 2008).

AntipodeanSF #118

AntipodeanSF #118 is available for your perusal and enjoyment on the web.

How to Make an Award Winning Short Horror Film

A Night of Horror International Film Festival presents How to Make an Award Winning Short Horror Film - exploring the craft and logistics of creating a low-budget horror masterpiece.

Christine Croyden’s The Painted Portal

Melbourne playwright and author, Christine Croyden is set to publish a wonderful tale that blends historical events with young adult and supernatural fantasy. Part coming-of-age story, part ghost story, the haunting images and vivid writing will stay with readers long after the adventure ends. The Painted Portal is Christine Croyden’s first major publication and is due for release by Equilibrium Books in May 2008.

2008 Ditmar and Tin Duck Winners

The winners for the 2008 Ditmar and Tin Duck Awards were announced Sunday Match 23 at Swancon, the 2008 national SF convention.

A Night of Horror Zombie Lurch

Shamblingly presented by A Night Of Horror International Film Festival.

Brent Hayward's Filaria

The first title from ChiZine Publications - Brent Hayward's Filaria - is selling really fast! Collectors may wish to scurry over, and snag one up before it's too late!

A Night of Horror 2008 - Opening Night!

A Night of Horror International Film Festival kicked off with the Australian Premier of retro zombie feature Flick (directed by David Howard, UK) - followed by the Opening Night Party: Undead Rockabilly Dance!

Kryptographik #22

Kryptographik is a trans-continental podcast featuring Brian (in the U.S.) and Damian (in Australia), providing news, reviews, and commentary regarding science-fiction, dark fantasy and horror, in and out of comics.

Digital Retribution seek reciprocal links

The Digital Retribition team have issued a linking invitation to horror and cult movie related websites.

Australian Nightmares

Following on from the critically acclaimed Australian Gothic: An Anthology of Australian Supernatural Fiction (2007), Equilibrium Books is proud to announce the forthcoming release of Australian Nightmares: More Australian Tales of Terror and The Supernatural.

The Workers' Paradise/2012 Launch

Two ground breaking anthologies from two of Western Australia's most exciting publishers!

2012 edited by Alisa Krasnostein and Ben Payne.
The Workers' Paradise edited by Russell B. Farr and Nick Evans.

BrokenSea Audio Productions seeks Halloween content

BrokenSea Audio Productions is seeking short works for their Halloween 2008 series; audio in the public domain and original works.

Aurealis Awards seeking judges for 2008

Expressions of Interest are now invited from those wishing to act as a judge for the 2008 Aurealis Awards. The application form is available for download at the Aurealis Awards website.

Submitting News

If you have news about Australian and New Zealand Horror publishing and film, or news of professional development opportunities in the field, feel free to submit news to Talie Helene, AHWA News Editor. Just visit HorrorScope, and click on the convenient email link. (International news is not unwelcome.)

For information on the Australian Horror Writers' Association, visit australianhorror.com

This digest has been compiled, written, and republished in select Australian Horror Haunts by Talie Helene.

AMC e-forum on composition

2008-04-14T07:16:48Z

The Australian Music Centre is hosting an e-forum tonight at Resonate Magazine online as part of the 2008 Aurora Festival's Music of the Spirit event. http://www.resonatemagazine.com.au.

INTERNATIONAL RECORD STORE DAY!

2008-04-14T07:01:32Z

On Saturday 19th April, The Basement Discs, Missing Link, Collectors Corner, The Last Record Store & Greville Records all plan to celebrate & join in the fun of International Record Store Day, where hundreds of independently owned & operated music stores around the world will celebrate the culture and unique place that they occupy in their community.

Basement Discs will be raising the roof all day! From 12.00 midday, there will be a 'Round Robin' in-store performance, featuring LISA MILLER, CHRIS WILSON, JEFF LANG, ABBIE CARDWELL, CHARLES JENKINS, MIKE RUDD & BILL PUTT (Spectrum), & LIZ STRINGER, performing a couple of songs each & running through till around 2.00.

There will be a music themed Q & A quiz with prizes for correct answers (packs of CD's, posters, t-shirts, bottles of bubbly, a six pack or 2, vouchers, free passes etcetera). Hell, we may even give away some prizes for incorrect answers, if they're funny enough!!

And a set flat-rate discount across the board on everything in the store for that day only.

Very family friendly of course, cheese & biscuits and fruit juice...and so on.

The day is about raising consciousness, a day to remind people how exciting and interesting and fun it is to go into a REAL record store. To hear some live music, have the opportunity to listen to recorded music in-store (of their choice, rather than designated "listening stations"!!), the tactile & visual feast that is so much a part of flipping through racks in really good music stores, and the joy of interacting with other music lovers, discussing new releases & re-issues with equal fervour. *koff*fervor*koff*

A day in which to think about and participate in the major contribution that indie stores (in general, not just music stores, of course) actually make to the cultural fabric and personality of a Community/City/State/Country, and to remind us all that they are part of the "here & now" and not to be spoken of in nostalgic terms. It's about getting out & supporting independent stores right now and ensuring that they continue to be a treasured part of our cultural landscape.

Come on in & join in the fun...it should be a great day!

For further info please go to... www.basementdiscs.com.au or www.recodstoreday.com

Source: Michael Pollard
Teacher/Purchasing Officer
Music Industry (Technical Production)
RMIT University . School of Creative Media

Black in Fashion - Mourning to Night

2008-04-14T06:39:19Z

I am no way going to be able to go to this seminar, but it looks fascinating - and possibly great for story-generating. The NGV has a really awesome fashion collection, so will make a point of getting to the exhibition before it closes.

As part of the Black in Fashion: Mourning to Night exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, there will be a special seminar featuring NGV curators delivering in-depth discussion of the historic and contemporary significance and diversity of black in fashion.

Seminar
Saturday 19 April, 1.30-4.30
Cost $35 / $25 Concession / $17 Student
(includes afternoon tea)
Venue: Theatre, NGV Australia

Black in fashion is a perennial topic of discussion. Throughout history the wearing of black clothing has had multiple and often contradictory meanings. At times, it has signified death, power, elegance, urbanity, subversion and sex appeal. Black in Fashion: Mourning to Night explores the symbolism and enduring use of black in Australian and international fashion.

The exhibition draws upon garments and accessories from the mid-nineteenth century to the present from the National Gallery of Victoria’s Fashion and Textiles collections together with a number of public and private loans. Portraits dating from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries, from the NGV’s collection of paintings, also feature.

Black in Fashion: Mourning to Night will be the first exhibition to be held across both NGV venues, NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road and The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square.

NGV International Level 2,
Myer Fashion and Textiles Gallery
29 February – 31 August 2008

The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Level 2, Myer Fashion and Textiles Gallery
8 February – 24 August 2008

Admission to the exhibition is free.

Source: NGV Media

X-post HorrorScope & melbournegoths

taliehelene @ 2008-04-12T09:50:00

2008-04-11T23:55:22Z

Not much LJ writing, or serious writing, or even practice this week. (Like I am doing serious writing.)

The 11-hour studio session (plus travel either way) on Monday, while my uterus shook like a washing machine in need of a service -- I am tired, and only catching up now. I begged off my vocal lesson on Wednesday, as I've just been really sore and zonked and cursed with the attractive and fun goreslick.

Was going to have a completely unproductive date night with Scott last night, but he bumped me for the footy! (Not even for the correct team. Heathen.)

If he thinks he can sweet talk his way into another night... no joy. I have to finish my radio ads and soft-synth modeling this weekend, so that's it for social contact.

The dates we were originally told for the radio and EMT assignments are weeks later than when we're actually expected to sub work. Since I had to submit a production schedule with all my processes charted to the launch date, it would have been really helpful if the tutor had actually read it and got me to move my launch date sooner.

Pain in the arse!

I have to write up my notes as a production journal for the Chilli Samba sesh, so I might ~~inflict it on you all~~ journal it here.

things that are heavy, or ambipoxterity

2008-04-11T23:37:56Z

On Thursday in class I was unconsciously typing with one hand, and the student beside me exclaimed really loudly - "Why are you typing with only one hand? It's heaps faster with two."

Like I was the dumbest fuck on the planet.

That was rude, he was loud, and it really fucked me off. I was tired and vague and of course high on Naprogeisic -- thus I was not there with witty rejoinders. I also hadn't thought about how or why I was still favoring my right hand to give the left fingers some recovery time. I didn't know why I was typing one handed. Hadn't thought on it at all.

Universities give away books all the time. The libraries decommission them, exiting students leave them at the student union - homeless books, good books, are everywhere looking for a home.

I collected a stack of free biology books from the student union for Scott, as he's thinking about undertaking a degree, possibly in science - he really is too bright for where he is in manufacturing, and the chemicals are pretty toxic. He wouldn't be sorry to get away from the polish shop as far as the materials go, although I know he loves the social aspects of it.

I figured a stack of university level science books would not be bad for giving him an idea of what goes on in the [supposed] ivory towers. And there they were. These were great current books - so I grabbed them! I stashed them in a locker at the State Library, and took them home in the evening (after tracking Chilli Samba). But they were HEAVY. Not just "girl heavy" - these were big fucking door-stoppers. I still have sore fingers on my left hand, from when I held the bag of books one-handed, so I could put my train ticket through the robot mouth (and collect it from the robot slit). Not extremely painful, just a twinge from muscles that have that micro-tearing bizo that muscles get when you push them.

I have musician hands - playing builds up high density in slow twitch muscle fibres - so I'm better at long stints of finer movement, I'm not so suited to superman stints of GGGRRRROOOAAARRRGGGHHH!!! (Note the Official Berzerker Spelling. Luke Kenny might want five cents from me in royalties!)

I typed this entry one handed, warming my strained hand around a cup of tea. I also do one handed typing if the double bass bites me (this can happen on either end of the bass!) I type pretty fast one handed. If I wrote erotica I'd be free to - ah, nevermind...

A Demonstration Of Limits

2008-04-09T12:58:35Z

The product demo night was quite entertaining, and I am really thrilled at how affordable the Apogee range is, and it looks just awesome. (If it's good enough for Hans Zimmer...)

But, I must say it put a [really unnecessary] damper on the evening when the Californian Apogee Demo Dude exclaimed --

"We've made it so simple, even the girls in accounting can learn to use it!"

Nowhere near cool, Dude.

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Car Park

2008-04-05T12:27:45Z

After much rumination - or a little bit - I've decided to take the rest of this year off from playing with Maroondah Symphony.

When I joined, the deal was, "I'll come play bass for you, if you can get me and the tree a ride to rehearsals."

Which was fine initially, but for various reasons [peoples private lives] that isn't working out this year. I can get a ride, but so intermittently, I'm not getting the benefit to my playing out of the experience.

Scott offered to drive me to rehearsals - he lives two minutes from the space - but I don't want to rely on that. Last year I asked him to help me out getting to five rehearsals for the concert with Steve Reeves as soloist - he forgot (!) about two of those! Putting me in the fairly stressful sitch of playing a concert accompanying one of the most advanced orchestral double bassists in Australia, with only two rehearsals and a pre-gig warm up.

That sort of thing could very easily have done more damage than good, and I don't want to risk be stuck in that kind of situation again.

As it turned out, I did OK - actually, I was surprised how my reading held up. But I did not enjoy it very much, and I missed out on some good experience rehearsing with such a great player. (Steve is also on Faculty at Melbourne University, Monash University, the VCA - and private lessons with him are $100.00 an hour!)

It also caused a fair bit of tension in my relationship - although I am *not* cutting back on my artistic life for that reason (or at all). A relationship between two artists isn't easy. We both have consuming dreams - yet each persons work needs to be important and mindfully supported. It's something I've been struggling with a lot, I don't feel we're at the greatest place in that regards - although more about that is so not getting blasted (or more importantly wasted) in a Livejournal entry...

I've since run into Maroondah players, and had the overwhelming response of, "O, Talie! - we miss you and your bass so much!"

Which is nice -- but if it isn't beneficial right now, then it's better to take a hiatus.

I recently ran into an oboist from Maroondah, and she said, "You can play in orchestras like that any time you want."

She's right. I have an open invitation from Stonnington Symphony sitting in my email. (And it's not like the world is exactly overpopulated with double bassists.) Right now getting through my current courses, getting my other music accreditation advanced, and keeping enough time for writing (so I can call myself a writer), that's enough.

I'll have to write Willem van der Vis a thank you note for his Direction, and request a reference from him (for future music study). I would be very happy to put in another stint with Maroondah Symphony down the road, but the road is the stumbling block right now.

Of course I need to get a car of my own that'll fit my bass, and the rest - but I'm still inching my way out of debt from my studies at Box Hill (Performing Arts). I can't fund everything at once, especially not on primarily an arts income, while studying as well. It's a lot to juggle on a little.

Hopefully I'll be able to afford double bass lessons again soon, and can really start developing my next AMEB/Trinity Guildhall level.

I've been in a withdrawn funk -- still processing a lot of headgunk from the corruption/sleazy/sexist education disillusion-burn-out, and of course I HAVE to process it because I'm a thoughtful person, I need to understand those experiences, and I don't want to be like those horrible, immature, dysfunctional artists, so there's a lot of poor teaching and negative influence to ditch -- but be that as it may, I really need to get back on form with basic polite things like that. (Told you this isn't a publicity blog.)

Library: Metal Magazines (& A Touch Of Goth Subculture)

2008-04-04T12:34:51Z

Shelfari won't load magazines - and a lot of these are zines with no ISSN. It is (I am quite sure) not the most comprehensive zine collection around, but I thought it's a kinda fun list. Australian metal is an abiding interest of mine, and a lot of these are local.

The really early Australian zines have been kindly donated.

I decided to blog this after David told me his ex once explained to him -

"Talie only pretends to like metal to impress boys!"

(She is a genius, and with such insight should get into practicing psychoanalysis right away!)

Trampled Down Under #1 by
Phil, Karl, & Gaby Melbourne, Australia
Magazine 20
Release: Dec 1983

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trampled Down Under #2 by
Melbourne, Australia
Magazine 20
Release: Dec 1984

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trampled Down Under #3 by
Melbourne, Australia
Magazine 20
Release: Dec 1985

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trampled Down Under #4 by
Melbourne, Australia
Magazine 20
Release: Dec 1985

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Coroners' Report, Volume 1, No.5 (Maggots Cover) by
Sparky Cobar, NSW
Magazine 32
Release: Dec 1992

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Coroners Report, Volume 1, No.5 (Necro Cover) by
Sparky
Magazine
Release: Dec 1992

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M4, Issue 8 by
Clinton Green Melbourne, Australia
Magazine
Release: May 1992

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Your Face by
Tom Menace Vermont South, Australia
Magazine 44
Release: Aug 1992

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oskorei by
Lars Jamne Bergen, Norway
Magazine 48
Release: Dec 2001

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dark Angel, Issue 21 by
Azriel (Jerry)
Magazine
Release: Dec 1995

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dark Angel, Issue #15 by
Azriel (Jerry) Richmond, Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1995

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dark Angel, Issue #20 by
Azriel (Jerry) Richmond, Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1995

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dark Angel, Issue #17 by
Azriel (Jerry) Richmond, Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1995

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chomp by
Central Highlands Original Music Promotions Kyneton, Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1998

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load Of Noise, Issue #2 by
Pete W Cheshire, UK
Magazine
Release: Dec 2005

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Musically Incorrect, Issue 1 by
Simon Lukic Melbourne, Australia
Magazine
Release: Apr 1999

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Musically Incorrect, Issue 2 by
Simon Lukic Melbourne, Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1999

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extreme Noise, Issue 1 by
Mark Streeter
Magazine
Release: Jun 2002

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extreme Noise, Issue 2 by
Mark Streeter Melbourne, Australia
Magazine
Release: Feb 2003

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Hammer Poster Express #4 by
Metal Hammer
Magazine
Release: Dec 1990

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal, Issue #1 by
Futura Publishing Australia
Magazine
Release:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power Meral: The Nastiest Magazine On Earth by
John Santangelo NY, USA
Magazine
Release: Feb 1989

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rock Beat: The HairFarmers Almanac by
Metal Hammer
Magazine
Release: Jul 1991

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Countdown Magazine #48 by
Australia
Magazine
Release: Jul 1987

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Juke Magazine by
Australia
Magazine
Release: Jan 1991

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Hammer Poster Express #3 by
Rock Team Publishing
Magazine
Release: Dec 1991

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outsider, Vol 3 Issue 2 by
Roadrunner Australia Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1999

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outsider, Volume 6 Issue 2 by
Roadrunner Australia Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 2002

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerrang! by
eMap Australia
Magazine
Release: Apr 2004

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerrang! by
eMap Australia
Magazine
Release: Jan 2005

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Buzz Vol 12 #4 by
Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 2004

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal #? by

Magazine
Release:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerrang! #218 by
UK
Magazine
Release: Dec 17

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rolling Stone, Issue 603 by
USA
Magazine
Release: Aug 2002

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rolling Stone, Issue 6004 by
NEXT USA
Magazine
Release: Dec 2002

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal #? by
Australia
Magazine
Release:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Hammer: Metal Thrash Attack #4 by
Universa Medien Verlags GMBH Germany
Magazine
Release: Dec 1990

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Access All Areas #3 by
Force 10 Publications London, UK
Magazine
Release: Dec 1990

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Forces #? by
Force 10 Publications London, UK
Magazine
Release: Jan 1990

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terrorizer #97: Chuck Schuldiner Tribute Edition by
European Quality Publications London, UK
Magazine
Release: Mar 2002

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Hammer: Metal Attack Thrash #2 by
Rock Team Publishing London, UK
Magazine
Release: Dec 1990

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Forces #44 by
Force 10 Publications London, UK
Magazine
Release: Nov 1989

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal 1989 Readers Poll Souvenit Booklet by
Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1989

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terrorizer #142: Doom Special by
European Quality Publications London
Magazine
Release: Mar 2006

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Hammer by
Future Publishing London, UK
Magazine
Release: Jun 2006

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rock Sound Issue 76 by
London, UK
Magazine
Release: Dec 2005

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blunt Issue 44 by
Next Australia
Magazine
Release:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Twisted Issue 31 by
Next Australia
Magazine
Release:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revolver #40 by
New York, USA
Magazine
Release: Nov 2005

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIEND #9 by
Ground Under Productions Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 2005

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Death Before Dishonour #1 by
The Kingdom Of Sad Machines Australia
Magazine
Release: Feb 2006

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mess+Noise by
Mess+Noise Australia
Magazine
Release: Mar 2006

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hit Parader's Metal Superstars by
Charlton Publications New York, USA
Magazine
Release: Dec 1989

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hot Metal Guide To Thrash by
Australia
Magazine
Release:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kerrang! #211 by
Spotlight Publications London, UK
Magazine
Release: Oct 1988

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal #? by

Magazine
Release:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Musician #146 by

Magazine
Release: Dec 1990

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Musician: Metal by
Billboard Publications USA
Magazine
Release: Dec 1989

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Hammer Extra Thrash #3 by
Rock Team Publishing London
Magazine
Release: Dec 1991

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brashs Hot Metal Free 1991 Calendar by
Australia
Calendar
Release: Dec 1990

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Masters #5 by
Tadevan Holdings Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1991

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Hammer Special: Metal Attack Thrash #4 by
Universa Medien Verlags GMBH Germany
Magazine
Release: Dec 1990

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hit Parader #284 by
Charlton Publications New York
Magazine
Release: May 1988

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hit Parader Yearbook by
Charlton Publications
Magazine
Release: Dec 1988

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Good Weekend: The Age Magazine - I Was A Heavy Metal Freak (and lived to use my ears again) by
The Age Australia
Magazine
Release: Oct 1990

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rolling Stone Issue 457 by
Australia
Magazine
Release: May 1991

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Age EG by
The Age Australia
Newspaper
Release: Jan 1993

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Circus 20th Anniversary Year: Rock & Roll 1969-1989 by
Circus Enterprises New Yourk, USA
Magazine
Release: Feb 28

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Mania by
Tempo Publishing New York
Magazine
Release: Dec 1989

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metal Hammer No14, Vol.6 by

Magazine
Release: Oct 1992

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Hot Metal Retro Series No.2: Led Zeppelin by
Australia
Poster
Release:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thrash Metal by

Release: May 1991

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal Special Issue No.1: Metallica, Vol.11, No.1 by
Australia

Release:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal, Issue 11 by
Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1989

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal, Issue 24 by
Australia
Magazine
Release: Feb 1991

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal, Issue 22 by
Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1990

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal Poster Power, Volume 1 by
Australia
Magazine
Release:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal Issue 14 by
Australia
Magazine
Release: Apr 1990

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Metal Issue 18 by
Australia
Magazine
Release: Aug 1991

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blunt, Issue 40 by
Next Australia
Magazine
Release:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hit List, Vol1, No.1: The Politics Of Black Metal by
USA
Magazine
Release: Feb 1999

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rebel Razor by
Australia
Magazine
Release: May 1995

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No Deception #3 by
Japan
Magazine
Release: Nov 1992

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M.A.G. by
USA
Magazine
Release: Dec 1997

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPIOUS #3 by
The Order Of Chaos Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1997

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Your Face, Issue 15, Vol 666 by
Australia
Magazine
Release: Oct 1998

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GGRROOAARRHH! Issue III by
Irene & Tracey Wanniassa, Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 1991

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Secret Devil Zine by
Dickson, ACT, Australia
Magazine
Release: Jun 1992

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrestrained! Your authority on the metal underground, Issue 31 by
Ontario, Canada
Magazine
Release:
$11.60 AU
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrestrained! Your authority on the metal underground, Issue 28 by
Ontario, Canada
Magazine
Release:
$11.60 AU
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decibel #019 by
Red Fleg Media PA, USA
Magazine
Release: May 2006
$9.95 AU
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mag DEC/JAN 2007 by
JB HIFI Australia
Magazine
Release: Dec 2007
Free
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Death Before Dishonour #4 by
The Kingdom Of Sad Machines Australia
Magazine
Release: Nov 2006

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 022 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Mar 2008
3.30 PS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 021 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Jan 15
3.30 uk
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 020 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Nov 15

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 019 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Oct 15

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 018 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Jul 15
3.20 UK
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 017 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: May 15
3.20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 016 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Mar 2007
3.20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 015 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 96
Release: Jan 15
3.20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 014 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Nov 2006
3.20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 013 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Apr 2006
3.20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 012 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Jul 2006
3.20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 011 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release:
3.20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 010 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Mar 2006
3.20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 009 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Jan 2006
3.20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 008 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 128
Release: Nov 2005
3.20
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zero Tolerance Magazine Issue 006 by
Obdurate LTD UK
Paperback 96
Release: Jul 2005
3.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weekend Tasks List

2008-04-04T09:07:05Z

I'm home all weekend - which doesn't happen that often. But I'm tired - I have a 9am-2pm session of classes in the computer LAB on Friday, without a break, which invariably gives me a headache. Great to be getting a catch-up in Pro Tools - but - ouchies!

The homework load has just gone WHOOSH! HERE I AM! - and I have to get enough work done ahead of due dates to accommodate an interstate work jaunt.... I'm not seeing Scott this weekend - on Monday I have a twelve hour studio booking to track and mix Chilli Samba, a Brazilian folk ensemble, as an assessment for Apply Music Knowledge & Artistic Judgement - so the day that's usually my day, that is taken over by a long session. So staying home this weekend is a good idea.

So I'm going to post a few bits to this journal over the weekend, since I'll have the opportunity.

This will become a list of tasks tackled:

Create Weekend Tasks List (what a bullshit first item)
Get fireplace fired up!
Add recent(ish) book acquisitions [sitting in a big messy pile on the couch] to Bookpedia & Shelfari - then shelve 'em! (I'd add them to Library Thing, but I cannot afford to the extra indulgence of buying a membership right now... Rock'n'roll!)

Barry Smith - Peter Warlock: The Life Of Philip Heseltine
Theodor Adorno - Sound Figures
Stephen Jones (ed) - The Giant Book Of Horror [which shares the ISBN 1-86309-172-6 with a completely different book - The Giant Book Of Golden Age SF - how can that be?]
Mike Ashley (ed) - The Mammoth Book of Short Horror Novels
Dennis Etchinson (ed) - Cutting Edge
Charles L.Grant (ed) - A Gallery Of Horror: Portraits in Terror by the Modern Masters
Algernon Blackwood - The Best Supernatural Tales of Algernon Blackwood
Stephen King - Duma Key
Joe Hill - 20th Century Ghosts
Kate Grenville - Dark Places
Clive Barker - Visions Of Heaven And Hell
David Miles Huber & Robert E. Runstein - Modern Recording Techniques (Sixth Edition)
Zero Tolerance Magazine #22 [How did I work that in so seamlessly? I'm a marketing genius!]

Put ZTs in order, and blog Bookpedia Metal Mag List for a lark
ZT Covermount Double CD #22 in Double Hardcase
Vocal Practice

SATURDAY

Renew PO Box
Grocery shoppin' (wow!)
Untangle very big hair (tangled by 80kph wind!) while watching No Country For Old Men (excellent!)
Bring in boxes displaced in the storm; find some place for them

SUNDAY

Find source for Firewire Drive for Production Session Back-up
Review & Complete latest Zero Tolerance Contributor Contract
Draft 2: Press Release for May 8th gig
Draft 1: Funding thing
Draft 1: Placement ideas and CV and PR samples for Jill Shelton
Vocal practice
Move other various messy boxes into storage area
AHWA News Updates
Emails
Call for AHWA Members Sales & Wins!

MONDAY

Post ZT 2008 Contract
Studio Session: track and mix Chilli Samba
Get Firewire Drive for Production Session Back-up
Drop off funding application to RMIT Arts Council

Audio For Media Test Results

2008-04-04T06:32:32Z

I had a test on Thursday, on Synchronisation -- which is the technical stuff that occurs to get audio and video (analogue and digital) devices locked together in various kinds of audio/visual production facilities.

At RMIT these competencies are covered in a subject called
Audio For Media. My tutor for this subject is Tim Johnston, who also teaches the EMT (Electronic Music Technology) subject.

Tim was a house engineer at Metropolis, which until recently (when it closed doors for good) was the Mecca for big music production values in Melbourne. Tim has a pretty neat CV from what I could find online when I was researching which course to do in 2008. This is his very short career blurb from the 2006 Ausmusic/Metropolis/3PBS Masterclass series website.

TIM JOHNSTON (Producer/Engineer)

Credits:
Nick Cave & the Badseeds, The Waifs, Stereophonics, Dallas Crane, Even, Tex Perkins…

From here.

Not bad, huh?

I mention this because technically I already completed the competency in Synchronisation at THAT PLACE, where I actually had to stripe analogue tape with timecode, and lock it to both Protools and two Umatic video playback/recorders. The "gentleman" who took that class has no notable production credentials in industry outside those sponsored and facilitated by the TAFE. Whatever that means - something that ain't nothing.

The way the Diploma in Music Production is structured, all the competencies have to be covered, but the training providers can package them into subjects any way they want. It was easier to just slot into the RMIT course structure, than try to pull apart individual parts that I have/have not covered.

Also, at RMIT I'm getting far superior written support materials, and a lot more experience in Protools and Logic, which are of more application than analogue chops. Not sorry I've played with vintage equipment (although it certainly wasn't worth the headfuck of THAT PLACE.)

So, test in Synchronisation - Tim graded the tests and emailed the results out THE SAME DAY we took the test. He didn't give us any student names - just student numbers, which is kinda cool as I can see how I fared in terms of entire class performance. I've further cut the doc to protect the anonymity of those students who didn't go so great.

I didn't get 100% - but then no one did. Four students got 18 (92%), and I'm one of them. Getting the highest grade given is OK by me.

I actually wrote "trick question?" next to one answer, and a "?" next to another -- so I reckon those are the ones I got wrong. One of them was a small boring math thing (unlike a lot of the interesting math things), and the other was nowhere near my study notes. Anyway, so far I am still in A or A+ territory with all my results, which is not a bad place to be.

If what I think just happened, did happen, I'm very sorry about the inadvertent spam.

2008-04-03T12:03:39Z

I just posted the following to the Stumble Upon Contact page:

Hi,

I tried to load a file of my address book into Stumble Upon - so I could browse and see who might already be a member.

Based on the Auto-responses in my email, I'm very worried that all my contacts have been spammed with a Stumble Upon request.

I did not authorize this - and would never do that on purpose.

Can you shed some light on this?

Best Regards,
Talie

If you've received a daft spam invite thing from me - hugely hugely sorry. Not intended at all.

Gosh, it would have even mailed emails I have merely "clipped" but not contacted. How mortifying.

Etude on a Fragile Skull

2008-04-01T10:55:55Z

Today was a return to Tuesday classes, after two weeks off.

Event Management -- I started to get a headache in Event Management, and by the end of class my skull was pounding horribly. Jill cracked the shits at the class today - which to be perfectly honest is EXACTLY what I wish had occurred about 100 times at Box Hill. Testosterone ego bullshit and disruptions - not only is it disrespectful to the teacher, but it is disrespectful to the other students. To see it NOT tolerated with a boys-will-be-boys disclaimer on basic courtesy - gold!

But my head was ouchies, and I could have lived without the yelling and aggression while in such pain. Self-medicated with lots of water and a couple of extremely nice soy cappuccinos in Lygon Street - and got some sweet sympathy sms' from Scott - this took the edge off, but I was still flat by the next class.

Apply Music Knowledge & Artistic Judgement -- My teacher for this subject is a bloke called Paul Thomas. Paul was sporting some very dark sunglasses as he sauntered to class, because as we all know (and forget) alcohol is initially fun, and subsequently excrutiating. He played a few gigs over the weekend in Perth with his band Weddings, Parties, Anything. According to punkrocker1991 they were worthy of repeat patronage (which by the way I reported back to Paul - you gotta love repeat customers). This semester is going to be increasingly amusing as the WPA associated staff members slide ever deeper into Reunion Tour Dementia.

___ ___ ___

A student gave a presentation today, on the production techniques of Mastodon's Colony Of Birchmen. The usual guff about the band being technical and progressive.

Paul commented, 'I don't really know that much about metal, to comment on the band - anyone who knows their metal have an opinion of that?'
I chimed in, 'Overrated!'
The presenting student gave me a tight-lipped, 'I do not share your opinion.'

When I related it to Scott later, he was stirring me, 'Making enemies!' *
To which I replied, 'Nah - but any guy who can't cope with someone not agreeing with their opinion of one band... who cares? Besides, Mastodon - there are other bands who paint with that dirty palette who are more authentically technical and progressive. Their songs are actually simple.'
'Yeah, it's like saying my mum makes authentic Italian pasta.'

I liked that.

[Wish the guy had given the presentation on what I think musta been Re-Anaconda by Zimmers Hole - which he played as an April Fools joke.]

___ ___ ___

There was a music managers forum panel on at The Laundry tonight, which if it were not for the headache of doom - I might have gone. I know the booking agent was from Premiere Artists, so they'd be good. But I don't know who they were featuring in the way of a manager or publicist -- since there are some practitioners out there who are great, and some whom one could only describe by damning with faint praise -- OK, I could damn with something stronger -- the gist of the thing is, it wasn't worth a blind punt with a sore head.

___ ___ ___

OK -- I'm turning in early, to give myself a chance to sleep off the headache before the codeine wears off...

Random Addendum: this Guide to Grammar and Writing is really neat.

* I already have enemies. They also fall in the WHO CARES category.

various & vague

2008-03-31T12:30:07Z

This weekend has been:

good for vocal practice
bad for creative writing
good for cleaning
good for organizing academic work
bad for naughty food [oven chips and discount chocolate]
slow for reviewing
good for not clashing with the boy
bad for journaling in any depth
shit for German pronunciation in the Bach repertoire
great for keeping warm with a pot-belly fireplace
uneventful

I spent too much time being social [that is not working] at Scott's. He's my little seductress.

Discovered the pleasures of Underbelly.

Great Music! Sounds rather Spiderbaity on the soundtrack/score front.
Bouncy! Bounce! Bounce! Channel 9 are getting lots of tits and arse in frame, eh?

Really makes ya want to read John Silvester and Andrew Rule's book Leadbelly. [I have a few copies of the anthology Underbelly lying around, and yet I always do shithouse at the trivia quizz at the Ned Kelly Awards. Serves me right for not watching much TV.] I think I was at The Neds when Helen Garner beat them out for the Best True Crime award? Was that 2005? [Most years were drunk - criminal lawyers and an open bar - actually, all years but last year were drunk.] Deborah and I and Leigh Redhead and that dude who is *in* her novels - and a small entourage of others - went out to some funky overpriced place in Brunswick Street? Noah Taylor was slinking about upstairs like a tattered pin-up poster of Nick Cave that's come to life. I might have recounted a story I heard from a girl who rooted him disastrously - at an inappropriate volume - just when the band stopped playing. That sounds like me. (Fuck, I'm classy.)

What I do remember is the hangover. And not wanting to move.

(Am I boring now? Or is my shit together?)

Am not going to be able to have another weekend with nights in a row with the BF for some time. I really need to be tougher and not see him as much. Need to study on the weekends in April, or May will be painful and raw-red-eyed. Scott's been very cool about me focusing on my studies and creative projects, for which I am very grateful.

I listened to the Stoker podcast archive while tackling the disgorged contents of my filing cabinet [which I need to move, then fill and organize properly]. Diverting - Rocky Wood got a bit of podium time too. Antipodean accent standing out a mile is always nice. If you're interested, I compiled a user-friendly list of links to the files over at HorrorScope.

Maps For Caffeine Withdrawal

2008-03-28T03:46:19Z

I am at RMIT - I have 45 minutes to kill. Skipped my Digital Editing (first year) class forward to the later class time, so I could attend an RMIT Arts Council funding meeting. The deadlines for proposals is awfully soon, but I have an idea in mind, so we'll see.

Those Arts Council girls and guys, they put on catering! Lunch was far superior to the muesli bars and ginger tea I'd been planning on. (For I am a wealthy princess with such a hedonistic life.)

This mornings class was cool - a lot of Logic and Protools groundwork in editing and mixing. We have a cool remix project coming up, where we are provided with the album session files from a name artist (this year it'll be a jazz combo) and get to run amok reinventing it.

An example of the project from a few years is Not Drowning, Waving - Maps For Sonic Adventures. Which featured a few student remixes along with remixes from luminaries - and it was nominated for an ARIA, which is not a bad thing.

You can find info about it here: http://www.followthegeography.com/ndw_lyrics_sonicmaps.html

Which I suppose brings me to the very un-interestingly named subject CREATE A FINAL SOUND BALANCE 1, and another class called DEVELOP SOUND DESIGN. In these subjects I'm studying under the supervision of a teacher called John Phillips, who has a neat career as a film composer and sound designer in his own right, and also a co-creates scores with David Bridie. John also played guitar in a band with Bridie back in the day. The band is called Not Drowning, Waving. Perhaps you've heard of them?

Heh - Evans just called to get a message to Scott. (Hi Mark, if you're reading this. *waves* Sorry I was soft-talking - but - Library.)

Anyway, exciting projects and talented teachers - there are some on the go, and this is good.

But today - even though it is a short week - I am tired. I know I am tired, because I am cold. It may also be somewhat related to my headache, due to lack of coffee, due to lack of funds. Yay for study?

I am taking tonight off, and cooking pasta with my.... taller half. Won't be in my office until tomorrow. And then I will be there. So don't try me now. Try me then.

Can you tell I have a case of the coffee-deprived brain-cell die-off?