Just for you CAS...

The iPhone is to be released in Australia from 11th July 2008.. It is a G3 phone while the original iPhone was 2.5G.

There are a few other features added (GPS) in the 2nd version but all in all I am not sure it's enough to make me swap from my planned Nokia N96 when it is released...

iPhone is to be released on Optus and Vodafone in Australia. But who knows by 11/06/08 Telstra and even 3 may have joined the pack... Read more On "Just for you CAS..."!

It's a Lyric's thing...

Seems I have been tagged by Fiona Carson Photography...

I only tagged FIVE people too - not six like the last one says - oh well..

Here are the rules!
1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share 5 songs you are embarrassed to admit to others you like and tell why.
3. Tag 5 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Now I have added links to both the songs to listen and the lyrics to read cause I realise not all of my ashamed to love songs may be known by you.. So have a listen and tell me what you think??




Share 5 songs you are embarrassed to admit to others you like and tell why.


1. It's Too Late (Ride On) - Evermore.... I just like the piano and guitar riff - and I guess the lyrics too - haahaha... Oh god and apparently it was on the O.C. soundtrack - haahahaha..

2. Yellow - Coldplay (actually their whole first album - Parachutes) - It got me through a bad break up and every time I hear it now it reminds me of how much it helped me (even though I don't like Coldplay - and it isn't really a breakup song hahaha).. Actually you have to read the lyrics to really get it...

3. Swiss Army Romance - Dashboard Confessional.. Adding this song here made me realise I only know the MTV unplugged version... Do I dare listen to the original version in case it ruins this version for me? I mean come on it's an EMO band singing an EMO song.. I think what is even worse about me liking this "EMO" band is that they are an EMO band for the good kids.. Know what I mean.. They are clean cut EMO, no PUNK or pretend PUNK insight :( But damn it people read the lyrics...


4. Love Me or Hate Me - Lady Sovereign... Not the best hip hop artist out there but she's young and sassy and I like that.. Again this one is more about the lyrics so read them...

Ps - does anyone find if funny that who ever wrote the lyrics on that website censored shit but left fuck intact? Like fuck isn't a swear word - hahahaaha


5. Memories & Dust AND Middle of the Hill (I actually like the alternate video better) - Josh Pyke.. Ok I couldn't choose - maybe my 5th choice should have just been JOSH PYKE... I wouldn't tell MY friends about this because previously I have bagged him as boring and well I think that is what all my friends think too, Fona is the only one I know I could tell without any repercussions ;).. Then one day I actually read the lyrics to his songs - and guess what - they took on a whole new meaning to me.. Now I actually like his music - it's simplicity and innocence, maybe I am getting older - or turning into an Indie kid... Let's face it - he has a beautiful voice..

Memories & Dust Lyrics

Middle of the Hill lyrics




Now, the 2nd one:

The rules are:
- Link the person who tagged you
- Mention the rules on your blog
- Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
- Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
- Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

Ok, so 6 quirks of mine, here we go.

1. I LOVE recommending books to people - I am so passionate in getting them to read the books I love.... BUT I really am not good at reading books that are popular and recommended to me. For instance The Da Vinci Code - only read it this year (also only saw the movie this year too - within a week of each other hahhaah)

2. Following on from this one.. I LOVE finding new Authors to read, exploring new worlds genre's and so on.. BUT I am really reluctant to read something when I don't know the quality of toe writing - what if it is a waste of time (don't EVER read Sliver - Ira Levin)

3. Most of my all time favourite movies I have only ever seen once.. At the cinema and never again. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Pan's Labyrinth are two I can think of... While I always go to watch them I just never quite manage too - who knows maybe I am scared it won't have the same effect on me or what have you..

4. I play with my piercings waaaaay too much. People must think I pick my nose all the time when in fact I am just turning around the ring.. My lip piercing too - I bite it (it's too long) from the back; I pull it from the front... I am weird

5. I love cooking but never have dinner parties. I think it might be cause my table is outside and well the lights don't work - we need an electrician around to fix the "transistor" I think it is.. I end up cooking mainly at my sister's (Fiona) house - wish they had my kitchen though...

6. I have a dream guy.... Every now and then I dream (always different dreams) about this guy. I always wake up aching from the loss of him. As far as I can remember this dream guy is no one I have ever met. I doubt he even exists... But what I love most about this dream guy is that he isn't Mr Perfect, in my dreams we have been broken up, he's been drunk (apparently in one dream I was a recovering alcoholic). He has been with other women (not while we were together but while we were at a wedding of a mutual friends together but platonic together) and blah blah blah.. Yet I have always loved him and he has always loved me too... I have NO idea when these started but I can remember having them for a long time. I had 3 dreams with him in them a few weeks ago in one night and I finally could remember what he looked like.. But I have forgotten - it's just a memory of a memory... Wow how weird has that made me sound...


Now five people...

Gen (myspace)
Kaz (myspace)
Kara (live journal)
Cam (blogger)
Cara (live journal)



Read more On "It's a Lyric's thing..."!

The nose always knows...

This is a blog about some of the research going on at my University - Griffith University in Queensland.

A few of my lecturers who work in the National Adult Stem Cell Research Centre AND Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies - both at my campus...




My lecturer Alan Mackay-Sim, he of the human trials using olfactory (nasal) stem cells to regenerate spinal chord injuries (I think the trails started around 2003 - not sure where they are at, at this time). He and his team with funding of $200,000 YES $200,000 was able to turn these olfactory stem cells into heart cells, brain cells and nerve cells among others...

They were able to do this on such a little amount - but has the world taken notice NO, not really - everyone keeps funding embryonic stem cell research - don't get me wrong I believe we need to keep that option open - but when you have quite a high chance of the embryonic stem cells being rejected by the patient as well as forming tumours - isn't this worth investing in?

One of my friend's Milly is doing her Honours with them and I am sure she just told me that they have received recent funding from the Vatican for millions and millions - which worries me - I don't like the thought of religion have power in science, science should be run ethically and not emotionally or religiously...

I know they have received about $12 million from the Qld Government to help fund their research (they probably wished they had this about 5 years ago when they first found out about the olfactory stem cells and what they could do - but better late then never I guess..


They have found some new stuff that was recently published

Griffth News about the recently published science article

The full article for anyone with a few spare minutes

When stem cells from the nose of Parkinson's patients were cultured and injected into the damaged area, the rats re-acquired the ability to run in a straight line.

All animals transplanted with the human cells had a dramatic reduction in the rate of rotation within just 3 weeks," he said.

This provided evidence the cells had differentiated to give rise to dopamine-producing neurons influenced by being in the environment of the brain. In-vitro tests also revealed the presence of dopamine.

I do so like the way my University is going with their research - it's an exciting time at Griffith University - in fact in Queensland with all the amazing new research coming out of here (Gardisil anyone)..


Read more On "The nose always knows..."!

It's worthing waiting for.. Music Monday on a Thursday...

The full Splendour in the Grass line-up has been announced...


I like it... I like it a lot - some bands I have seen before and can't wait to see again.. Other bands I have seen a few times too many but they are always a good show if nothing else is on. Other bands I can't wait to see for the first time.. And yet others I have NO idea who they are but am looking forward to finding out...




SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2008

The Polyphonic Spree, New Young Pony Club, Yves Klein Blue, Lyrics Born, Tokyo Police Club, Little Red, Clare Bowditch, bluejuice, Robert Forster (he of The Go-Betweens fame), The Drones, Hadouken!, Bliss n Eso, Paul Dempsey, Katalyst, Even, British India, The Galvatrons, Delta Spirit, Slot Machine, The Black Stars, Van She Tech, Bag Raiders, Soft Tigers Food Fight, E.L.F DJ, Kato and pob, join Devo, Wolfmother, Sigur Ros, The Living End, The Presets, Tricky, Vampire Weekend, Ben Lee, Cold War Kids, The Fratellis, The Wombats, Pnau, Laura Marling, The Vines, The Grates, Operator Please, Band of Horses, Van She, The Panics, Gyroscope, Mstrkrft, Lightspeed Champion, The Brown Birds from Windy Hill, Scribe, The Music, The Gin Club

Soo here is my original post before any bands were announced..

Yves Klien Blue - new EP and signed to Dew Process.

Port O'Brien - new to Dew Process - new release out in May (will be in Europe around May/June so why not head on over to Aus for July/August??).

Other Dew Process probabilities =

Tokyo Police Club - nothing new out as yet but who knows...

A few others but not ones I really see coming to Splendour (and others - namely The Grates, Sarah Blasko, Powerderfinger etc - GIVE IT A REST DEW PROCESS they have had their time at Splendour time for new bands OK!!!

also....

The Panics (I think they will be "the back up someone dropped out band" - they played last year but they are touring a new album Cruel Guards)..

Be Your Own PET - I <3 this band - they so should have been here after their first album but I am guessing with a second just released they might just make it (although without old drummer Jamin Orral they might not have "the sound" like they used too)

The Fumes - they played support for QotSA, besides they are "perfect" for this festival - NO idea why they have never played it before now, but with second album on the way I say LOOK OUT....

Rumours floating around the internet (the ones in BOLD I believe have a chance) =

The Hives
Radiohead
Vampire Weekend
Hot Chip
Regina Spektor
These New Puritans
Nick Cave
Pendulum
Presets
Gyroscope
Pnau
Bluejuice
Bridezilla

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Benicassim line up so far = Sigur Rós

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Fuji Rock Festival = The Music;

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Ones I think that AREN'T going to be coming from these line ups =

My Bloody Valentine (doing by of the festivals I doubt they would add Splendour as a third festival in what TWO weeks).

Babyshambles - well with singer in Gaol I doubt they will even be doing Benicassim let alone anywhere else.



I didn't do too badly really did I...

Next week I will discuss who I can't wait to see and who I will NOT go and see..

Tell me if YOU were coming who would you see and who would you steer clear of??
Read more On "It's worthing waiting for.. Music Monday on a Thursday..."!

I ART Kandinsky...

Wassily Kandinsky 16/12/1866 - 13/12/1944


He is my favourite Artist, I love his use his colour, I love the emotion in his paintings...


Black is like the silence of the body after death, the close of life. -- Wassily Kandinsky, 1911

Kandinsky had always expressed a strong dislike for the color black and it is significant that he chose it as the dominating color of his last major artistic statement. Composition X - 1939






Here is a great Bibliography that I found.. Have a read and find out why I love him so..

Kandinsky studied Law and Economics - he was a successful Lecturer for Moscow Faculty of Law. In 1895 Kandinsky attended a French Impressionist exhibition where he saw Monet's Haystacks at Giverny.

He stated, "It was from the catalog I learned this was a haystack. I was upset I had not recognized it. I also thought the painter had no right to paint in such an imprecise fashion. Dimly I was aware too that the object did not appear in the picture..." Soon thereafter, at the age of thirty, Kandinsky left Moscow and went to Munich to study life-drawing, sketching and anatomy, regarded then as basic for an artistic education.

Ironically, Kandinsky's work moved in a direction that was of much greater abstraction than that which was pioneered by the Impressionists. It was not long before his talent surpassed the constraints of art school and he began exploring his own ideas of painting - "I applied streaks and blobs of colors onto the canvas with a palette knife and I made them sing with all the intensity I could..." Now considered to be the founder of abstract art, his work was exhibited throughout Europe from 1903 onwards, and often caused controversy among the public, the art critics, and his contemporaries. An active participant in several of the most influential and controversial art movements of the 20th century, among them Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) which he founded along with Franz Marc and the Bauhaus .

Kandinsky continued to further express and define his form of art, both on canvas and in his theoretical writings. His reputation became firmly established in the United States through numerous exhibitions and his work was introduced to Solomon Guggenheim, who became one of his most enthusiastic supporters.

In 1933, Kandinsky left Germany and settled near Paris, in Neuilly. The paintings from these later years were again the subject of controversy. Though out of favor with many of the patriarchs of Paris's artistic community, younger artists admired Kandinsky.

Kandinsky continued painting almost until his death in June, 1944. his unrelenting quest for new forms which carried him to the very extremes of geometric abstraction have provided us with an unparalleled collection of abstract art.

Click on the links to find out what paintings each of the museums have of Kandinsky..


I think the Guggenheim, NY Museum of Modern Art, the Stadtische Galerie in Lenbach and the The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow seem to have the best or at least largest collections of Kandinsky's work..

BUT here - Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen - is where my favourite painting is held - I plan to visit it next year once I have finished studying (I am so getting a picture of my tattoo beside the original artwork)




I will leave you with a few beautiful images..






























Read more On "I ART Kandinsky..."!

Just to let you know..

I'm still around - I have uni coming out of my ears and I am sick and tired and have a major back ache causing a huge headache and I have run out of creative ideas..


I will be back - I promise....


Ps - get Box of Secrets by Blood Red Shoes - it's bloody brilliant (say it in Ron's voice) Read more On "Just to let you know.."!