Indulging the Psychedelic Rock Combination of Computer, Guitar and Voice for Experimentation Purposes... for a limited time only. 11MB. Click here to download.





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How long has it been since I last blogged? Not long it seems.
Friday night rehearsal was pretty good. Brushed up one of our new songs that needed some unboredomising, it's shorter and much sweeter now.

Some of our new songs are pretty damn cool, especially You Teased The Moon (aka Gothic Love Song)... the chorus riff gets me going! And... YOU get to hear it at our gig (FREE ENTRY) on July 8th! Check the sidebar for details :) If we turn the venue people's heads with our set and audience turnout then we will get a regular gig there on Saturday nights! Come one, come all!

Been reading this weekend... started reading Noam Chomsky's New Horizons in the Study of Language and Mind. His writing is always challenging, even if some content goes over my head it's beneficial learning new terms and definitions. I may have to find an introductory book on linguistics if I can't connect with Chomsky's theories in this book though.

One term I learnt today is dualism:

The doctrine that all the phenomena of the universe can be explained by two separate and distinct substances or principles, such as mind and matter.

Another book I'm still reading intermittently is The Social Impact of the Chernobyl Disaster. It's a comprehensive look at the events leading up to the nuclear disaster as well as evaluating the short and long-term effects of the disaster on the environment, economy and people. The details are at times chilling and solidify my worries about our uses of nuclear technology. People in charge of implementing nuclear technologies have no excuse these days. The potential for widespread destruction from nuclear programs gone wrong are terrifying. Hopefully a lot has been learnt from Chernobyl. And this is without mentioning the threat of nuclear weapons... there needs to be a collective awakening on this important issue. We need to get rid of them. No sane civilisation that values survival would entertain the thought of nuclear weapons. Wakey wakey.

Going to visit my baby cousin tonight, haven't seen him for quite a while. His name's Jake, very unwoggy.

Stay true & Peace,
Dan.





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A first for me today was visiting the National Gallery where my cousin and I viewed The Impressionists exhibition... Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh. There was some great stuff, especially from the lesser-known artists.

Got rehearsal tonight.

Not in a positive mood this last week... I hope it's not too detrimental before the gig on July 8th. I wish I could pinpoint it, I have a feeling it's indirectly based on my own past mistakes... maybe not a mistake as such... more backing down on an issue for the sake of a greater cause. Right now I really don't know, need clarity of mind to figure it out.

Peace & Relaxing Vibes,
Dan.





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I've just been reading Michael Franti's Middle East diary. It's an essential read from someone who has seen first hand how life is in the occupied territories (now including Iraq).

Click here to read Michael's postings of his trip.

(For those of you who don't know, Franti is most well-known for playing with the band Spearhead... i.e. Michael Franti and Spearhead)





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What would snapshot of my mind look like right now? If I could insert a picture that would describe it I would.

But instead I will refer you to the music of Tribe After Tribe, specifically Pearls Before Swine.
And Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Awesome sounds, awesome name, awesome band... Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven...

Negativeness and some dark moods... in arms with the music, wouldn't have it any other way.

Someone please pass me a beer.





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The clock just ticked over to 12:04am.

I don't like it at all when energy is dedicated to stress. All else seems to be tainted with a negative sheen (Not Charlie, more Martin). Not fully negative, just enough to divert energy from productive and creative pursuits. Maybe it's more, I don't know, hope not.

Job - (If anyone knows an inspiring vacancy please let me know!)

Exam results - (If I pass all exams this semester I finally graduate after six long years!)

Finances - (This house is getting a little boring)

It seems the politics for the next Australian federal election has begun. The coalition liberals have started branding Mark Latham as "anti-American" for no clear reason besides his opposition to the Iraq policy. We must all be anti-American then, the majority of people on this planet opposed the war. I'm sure there will be some dumbfounded dipshits who will fall for the next couple month's of political labelling and bullshit. As long as it is clear John Howard doesn't give a shit about the masses then vote him out please. And to all Americans: Take your country back, not just for your own sake but also for the rest of us.





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Mordechai Vanunu

Some great articles on the life and continuing fight of Mordechai Vanunu are now up on the The US Campaign To Free Mordechai Vanunu website. I think the issue of nuclear weapons is vital. One person to keep us inspired and demanding a world free of nuclear weapons is Mordechai Vanunu. I urge you to check out The US Campaign To Free Mordechai Vanunu website to find out more about what he has gone through. I've posted news and views regarding this topic quite a few times in the hope of getting people to read up on this. Inspiring stuff from a true citizen of the world :)

Following are some articles from the aforementioned website (first interview since his release as well as other articles regarding Israel's disgraceful treatment of Vanunu through continued restrictions):

"Vanunu: My Story (part 1)"	"Vanunu: My Story (part 2)"
Vanunu: The Truth About My Kidnap (intro.)	Why I had to tell Israel's big secret
Let Vanunu Go Free (editorial)	Vanunu fears for his life after street threats
Vanunu: my story

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A night of exciting football with Croatia and France battling it out for a 2-2 draw!

France dominated most of the first half with lots of attacking play. But not long into the second half Milan Rapaic earned himself a penalty kick and shot it past Barthez to draw level. Four minutes later Dado Pršo kicked a bullet away from Desailly in the box for another score, the Hrvatski crowd went nuts! Awesome game up to this point...


Giovani Rosso & Dado Pršo

The French scored again to draw level before the end of the match... Mornar had an excruciating chance but missed from 2 metres out after a dazzling play from Ivica Olic dancing around the French defenders.

I'm looking forward to the Croatia v England match in the next round of group matches. The Croats have to win this game to advance to the next stage.

Completed my final exam for the semester yesterday, we'll see if I pass them all... if so, I will graduate and be done with this course. The same goes if I don't get through the Java programming subject, no way will I endure that again.

Two assignments to complete for Digital Imaging subject, at least this one is more creative and lets me loose... will put some music on this afternoon and begin the assignment. Not in the mood really... need the weather to clear up but it's cold, wet and cloudy here in Melbourne... no chance for a bike ride this afternoon.

Pearl Jam are releasing their acoustic benefit show at Benaroya on CD/Vinyl! It'll be a double disc and has a great tracklisting, I can't wait... hope I get a job soon so I can afford this :s

Oh yeah, and Bush and his gang are still persisting with the link between Al-Q'aeda and Saddam Hussein even though the 9/11 commission says there is no proof of this fact. So much for clear and present danger.

Internationally Yours,
Dan.





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It's Wednesday night isn't it?

Trying to snap my mind into action after a below average night. It suddenly hit me that I still have assignments to complete after the exam tomorrow as well as jobsearch (only have pocket money left!) and other stuff. I'm also worrying about that exam last week, it felt really bad and I wouldn't be surprised if I failed it. Stop. No more thinking about this.

Tom Engelhardt has just written a LONG article regarding the "system of torture" and the Bush Administration's global imprisonment system since 9/11. It takes a while to get through it but it's well worth the read... scary events and methods you would find to be commonplace in history books on South Africa's apartheid years. Here's the link: "George Orwell... meet Franz Kafka".


George Orwell





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Staring at the screen right now... on the cusp of a new mood. Could be the pre-exam blues or the pre-jobInterview blues.

Exam study has been close to non-existent over this long weekend. Frustrations set in. As for the job interview, I don't know how long my eagerness will last once I start the job (that is, IF I get it). I hope all I have to do is read a script tomorrow and not answer any questions such as "Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?".
I just need money right now, but will keep searching for a job in case my hours are few and far between.

Today was a cold windy day in Melbourne. Winter is really going to set in this week with hail forecast for tonight and tomorrow.

The highlight of today was making a trip to Knox. Purchased Coleman Bark's The Essential Rumi. A collection of poems from the 13th century Persian poet Jellaludin Rumi (spelling of given name may be incorrect). I first read his "The Three Fish" poem after having read an interview with the band of the same name. It's an amazing story of Three Fish: the intelligent, the half-intelligent and the stupid one. Also checked out this Kernels shop. They make all kinds of different popcorn, so I bought $7.50 worth of "Wicked Chocolate" and "Creamy Cream Caramel" popcorn. You could say I splurged today :s This chocolate popcorn is damn good! Ah, I also bought the latest edition of Adbusters magazine.

Tonight has been a weird night... partly because of the aforementioned moods. And an episode of 24 that has knocked me out. Oh the suspense.

Hopefully I have a job tomorrow...

P.S: I've been up watching Euro2004 the last two nights... hit the sack at 4:30am both mornings :s I wish I lived in Europe, if only for the football.







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Long long long night of music...

Eon got together tonight and we jammed on all our songs... we have about 17 now (including two covers that we'll play at some gigs if we need extra filler music). Those 17 have crept up on us... some of the news are killers... Gothic Love Song is one of the new ones. You shall hear it at our forthcoming gig on July 8!

Yes... so, I am a lil exhausted... semi-emotionally drained, physically semi-shot and mentally as sharp as a tack ;)

Tomorrow I need to get up and do some study, sister and I are going to the footy. Bombers v Lions! GO DONS! And now it's 2:57am, so lots of study tomorrow! :P

I shall leave now... lots of interesting news these days... check out The Age website for all Aussie and other news.



Good music I've been listening to include:
- Explosions In The Sky
- Jeff Buckley "Sketches for my sweetheart the drunk"
- Three Fish

Rock on people and Peace Out
Dankoman.





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Another day, another attempt at studying.

I woke up extraordinarily late today and can blame Jellibabi for that... chat freak that she is. And Anna and Kaz didn't help either! Damn yous ;)

Looked briefly over my notes and there is nothing that inspires me to learn this festering business modelling crap. But I will try to look at some spreadsheets and understand the concepts.

In other news, Ray Charles passed away at the age of 73...

... Reagan, the conman and murderer, is also dead...

... and... Creed is dead!



Good riddance :) Let there be rock.





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Yes it's me... I guess I'm due to write a post eh? :)

Been an interestingly boring week. The exam on Tuesday was crap, it went right over my head. So much for finishing my uni degree, I honestly doubt it was any kind of good result. It's the last straw though methinks...
Another exam next Thursday, studying for that already. Very sick of being at home with minimum funds (much less than minimum chips) and ultra-uninspiring papers.

Rode the bike for a little while today, pumped the tyre that was flat. Went to cousin's tonight for a little bit. It will be good once I get some money in, hopefully I can last a month or so in this telemarketing job before I find something better (that is, IF I get the job.. interview on Tuesday afternoon).

At least the jam tomorrow night and footy on Saturday night breaks it up a little.

Amongst the stressful shit I've been thinking (and worrying) about a friend. Family member having troubles... just hope everything turns out well and back to some kind of normalcy soon. You know who you are and I'm sending ya lots of love and hugs. Miss ya lots :)

Not the best time of year for relaxation... uni, jobsearch, crap.

Show me that horizon!





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You must read this... but it's not pleasant

http://blog.newstandardnews.net/iraqdispatches/archives/000518.html





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b e n e a t h

Relenting
corporate spending
greenery wishes
stored in ditches
opened gifts
wires we tripped
to find sanity
among life's profanity
glovebox love
releases doves
in desire
frozen in fire
Leading
constant seething
writhe in pain
pick up the pen
write in disdain
frustration
gritting and
knitting your teeth
closed. shut.
buried. beneath.
You.





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My brother just told me there is a new course on offer called Counter-Terrorism.

I proceeded to piss myself laughing.

I hope it's not true. Really.



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"I'm ashamed to be Australian"

Very brief discussion on Saturday afternoon while at Roy's place. And something I have thought about quite a bit in the last year or so. We were discussing our current Howard government and how we seem to be following American footsteps... "I'm ashamed to be an Australian these days" (not a direct quote). You know what? I agree with that sentiment.

I think most of us know what makes us Australian. It's the mateship, being easy-going and being such nice people. That's a great thing to be known for. And even though we might hold that close to our hearts, that reputation is being tarnished. If it was being tarnished for small reasons I wouldn't give a shit. But it's happening because of a regressive and downright inhumane bunch of policies.

Iraq... asylum seekers... and recently the move towards altering the Marriage Act to prevent same-sex marriages from being recognised. Although this may be the actions of a few in high places trying to appease a conservative population, it's downright un-Australian. What is there about this kind of policy that has ANYTHING to do with caring??? What kind of people are we to let this go on IN OUR NAMES? This is important.

We are all refugees here except for our indigenous population. How can we allow a government to refuse entry to people who suffer in their home countries and are looking for a better life? Let's throw mateship out the window hey? But when it suits us we will take that lovely Australian slogan out and throw it about to make us feel better. Bullshit.

If you have any concern for these issues that are enforced in the name of Australia you will think ten times before electing John W. Howard. Make sure we have someone who is respectful of people, both here and in far away lands. And don't give the excuse about the economy being so great. If that's what you base your decisions on then humnanity has a long way to go.

Vote out Howard!



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