Bedside Library

Woke up at 2:30am, had little emotional crisis, got up out of bed at 4am... and then I was here starting a draft of this post. Deciding between depressing movie (Norwegian Wood) or reading something in bed (probably a little more sensible), I went back to bed with a selection of what is currently set by my bedside:

UFOs: A Scientific Debate
by Thornton Page (editor), Carl Sagan (editor)

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The Good War 
by Studs Terkel

Charles Manson - Coming Down Fast
by Simon Wells

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Upcoming Gig - Finntroll @ Amplifier

Mail

I received a few really lovely things in the mail yesterday from all over the world. Feeling loved from Canada, Iceland and New Zealand. 

And yes - signed copy of the new Devin Townsend 'Casualties of Cool' album! It was my first ever 'pledge' item. I gave it a good listen to last night - it has a very intriguing sound - very different, but still very Devin. I look forward to further listens and definitely adding a few tracks to the wedding playlist (I've promised Ben that heavy Devy will not dominate the playlist too much)... maybe a little Ziltoid... (we dance to Ziltoid together in our loungeroom).

Winter sun.

The only time of year when I welcome a little sun (I'm still sitting in the shade though). My walk to the city library was beneficial for mind and body.

How I begin to wade the waters to new music genre territory.

During my young formative music discovery years, I had always been interested in the fringes of blues, jazz, and experimental, but wasn't really too sure how to approach it. I likened it to a sense of not being ready for certain aspects of the genres; complex rhythms, strong emphasis on sound, vast history and cultural significance, and the difficulties of knowing where to start.

I look for music fans that get so excited about their genre that they are excited to speak with you about it on a level deeper than most general music conversation. It is an approach that works well for me as I approach the doors of a new sound. I've been lucky in finding a few associations such as these in the past few years. 

One dear friend and future groovy sister helped me to become more familiar with the sounds I had a curiosity about; through dinner parties, gifts, CD lending, recommendations and open access to browse her (and my brothers) collection. I was able to 'weed out' sounds I wasn't really keen on - in effort to hone in on what I was really looking for. This search of mine led to the following that now rotate in stereo time and are a stepping stone to other alternative artists I hear from time to time on FM frequency radio. I find myself approaching the genres with a little more confidence having met and pursued that connection with an excited fan. 

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.