Interesting Things - 05/2014

Space: Above and Beyond

A TV series that I would like to see. I was a big fan of shows made in the mid-late 1990's, as those were the one's I discovered in a frenzy and had a significant influence on my sci-fi interests today. These shows include X-Files, Animorphs,  Perhaps Space: Above and Beyond will be a good show to invest time in. 

Writing Inspiration - fantasy creatures roleplaying as humans

An interesting and fun concept to consider.

The SunFriend - UV Exposure Monitor

 
I have been dreaming of this technology for years now as I continue my on-going battle with the sun. I am so excited that it can finally be mine (link). The only problem is that it appears the watch only goes up to 11 on the UV scale. While this will only be useful for the time of year between Summer and Mid-Autumn, I still consider it a worthy investment. In Perth during the Summer peak, we get into alarming rates, as seen below:

Source: http://www.arpansa.gov.au/uvindex/monthly/perjan2014summ.htm

The World as 100 People

This was most interesting to view, as it put a lot of the public health goals and achievements to date into perspective. It offers an opportunity to view the world as a whole and really aids in my ability to visualise and theorise on the tasks that lie ahead in order to overcome the inequirites that is of current concern.

Those I considered most alarming:

• 12% no religion
• 7% have a college degree
• 70% can’t access the Internet
• 48% live on <US$1 a day
• 21% overweight – / 1% starving
• 15% undernourished
• 23% have no shelter 

Source: http://visual.ly/world-100-people

Metalgigs.de - Der Konzert & Party Kalender für Deutschland

With my German dictionary in hand and google.de, I was able to navigate my way through to this German metal guide. I was looking for something just like this to aid in my European travel goal of attending a few local gigs to really experience (as best as I can while visiting) the German metal scene at it's finest. I am trying to find similar bars to Amplifier & The Bakery - but I just know that with a little research, I'll find some places that are well beyond what I could ever expect. With the thrill of travel, the jolt from disrupted habits, and extreme levels of stimuli; I am certain that will influence the effect on any experience that I have, but surely the German metal scene has far greater offerings than Perth. I am so excited to see what's out there. l have so many fantasies that are played out in tune with the heavy reverberating vibrations of the music. 

Hatsumi's Haiku

Grotesque in nature
Thomas explores digestion
Sun does not shine here

~H

Godspeed You! Black Emperor

No matter the length of time, or the development of the self... Godspeed You! Black Emperor manages to creep in to assess, remind and expose me to deep emotions and how I am faring against these dark horses.

I looked to the moon the other night in awe, appreciation and wonder... only to be reminded that I have done that many times before in completely different situations. I was living single and alone in Canary Place. Sherwood was a tumultuousness and difficult, a vast and authentically sad experience. The sadness still triggers at my heart. Track 01. 06:00. 

I was seated at a lunch table. It was Honours year. I was with Nietzsche, my friend with Heidegger. He told me he had a Godspeed tattoo, it was devastatingly beautiful, Lifting Your Skinny Fists like Antennas to the Sky. 

I was so lucky to have seen GY!BE, with acceptance that I would never see them due to their isolation and long-term hiatus and by the fact I live in an isolated and distant city of foreign land. But... in February, 2013, I saw Godspeed in concert at Perth International Festival in the Chevron Gardens. It blew my mind. I met with my dear Philosophy friends for a drink, another drink and eventually we were standing eagerly and awaiting... predicting... and getting so very excited about the sound. 

It was perfect. The reality of the fantasy was far more beautiful and far more communal that I had anticipated, and I was thrown into this beautiful gig with a late Summer evening and $11 sparkling wine. The t-shirt cost me a fortune, but I wear it lovingly in bed. I listed to Godspeed on these lonely 2014 evenings, and it sends me in a spiral of self-awareness and soundtrack to a snapshot of how my emotional life is going. 

I just love your music, Godspeed. 

The World at War

Currently watching - The World at War - a well acclaimed documentary series about World War II. This particular snapshot was taken from E.03, 'Alone'. This newsreel scene was in subject to Britain's preparation for a German invasion. 

I am learning a lot, I am absorbing so much new information and valuing the high quality visual input. 

Oriental Pathfinder Game - Tzun-Fun and Hatsumi

Hatsumi was exhausted by the time she had settled into camp with her new companions. The months she had stayed in the village were long, fearful and quiet. The knowledge of having taken it too far was fresh in her mind, it was foolish to have stolen what she did, foolish to try and sway the feelings of such a powerful and dangerous man. The men she had taken before him were obvious in their weaknesses. They offered jewels, favours and social gains – so vulnerable and easy to influence with the aid of her companion, Ayami – the retired court lady that provided Hatsumi with the materials to offer more than just tea in her ceremonies to her unsuspecting clients.

Ah... tea… what a lovely thought for Hatsumi. Her collection of fine and imported teas had to be left behind when she departed hastily from the court house. Empress Teishi would most assuredly have sold them all by now, or perhaps had her collection put to waste as a statement of the betrayal left by Hatsumi’s devious nature. Hatsumi thought herself quite good at her subtle craft – of influencing men by ways of Ayami's magical tea leaves. If only she had not tempted fate by offering such tea to him…

Hatsumi stole a glance over the sleeping silhouettes of her traveling friends. She thought to herself in the dark of night… "I do not know these people so well… they serve me well as to provide me with a cover-story while traveling along these unknown roads… but how long until I am caught? How long until I can walk freely without fear?"

Hatsumi gently moved her hand to her dwindling coin pouch, almost smiling with guilty pleasure at the memory of a life she once enjoyed.

Weeknight Leftovers

So.. it's 6:30pm on a Tuesday evening. 
I am both with it, and completely out of what's going on at the moment.

Philosophically, I am thrilled to be experiencing this tumultuous time to really be 'living' life... but personally... I wish things would get to a more normal routine.

Amon Amarth - Twilight of the Thunder God

I have distinctly identified the case of my lapse into habitual coping mechanisms, but I am self-medicating with wine and Amon Amarth. I am listening to Twilight of the Thunder God, an authentic and emotional album that is musically superb. 

It is dusk outside, my city is just a stones throw away. I have on numerous occasions sat on the balcony with a beer or a rose, I get a little hazy... then I listen to this album...

Fuck yeah, Amon Amarth. 

06. Tattered Banners and Bloody Flags what a haunting melody, it deserves to be turned up 

10. Embrace of the Endless Ocean nothing to feel like you are completely alone and completely accepting of death

Paint it Black

I am listening to the Rolling Stones - Paint it Black - live at Hyde Park in 2003. It's mesmorising. I only wish I could connect this laptop to better speakers, I would enter into a world of you-tube browsing of well-renowned videos that can really help to shape this Friday afternoon. I am enjoying this more more at this current moment due to shared excitement with a friend of mine. She got her ticket to their upcoming tour in Australia.

But, it is still early. I am still trying to grasp onto productiveness. The music just makes it all that very much more better.