A solution to failure

by Alvin


One thing I've realized in the past that's become more and more of a compulsive thought for me these days, is that failure or actually the fear of it is pretty much relative to "time" or a set time's final approach.

That when our perceived deadline looms ever near, we instinctively quicken our biological and physical pace. Psychologically averting to emotions rather than maintain a stoic control, as we critically examine the proper trajectory of our past decisions and corporeal proofs of development. Opening to doubt and losing faith in the foundations of our decisions.

Measuring where we are now to where we should be; an ideal against reality.

If time is what we worry about, be it a period of physical prime to effectively take advantage of, or planning around a once in a lifetime opportunity. Then wouldn't a sure fire way of relief be to make it so "time makes no difference"?

To biologically freeze an epoch of oneself; to be immortal.

If immortality were achievable through science, mysticism or a sanguinary curse, wouldn't the longevity it entails psychologically remove the pressure we as mortals have to accomplish something of value and prestige in a single moment in time. To not die would enable us to take our time, move at a pace not alien to our makeup. To not age would open possibilities for us to live out, learn, witness and accomplish all manner of things without societal barriers of transition and inevitable physical hindrances.

Immortality would remove from an individual the anxiety of making everything count, abolishing moments in life as periods that can never be repeated, and instead remake them as one chance out of a moebius strip of chances.

But then I wonder as we pass through life not having limitations, would this Utopian concept fall under the weight of humanity's track record for decadence. That in having no need to push ourselves in tandem with an acceptable period of accomplishment, would we grow complacent, overtly selfish and self-indulgent - eventually not fulfilling what we desire and thus not contributing to the advancement of the age.

Could our immortal lives bring us an irreversible distance with civilization, remove our anxiety for failure but increase the emotional stress of not being able to relate with anyone or the world at large.

... I think I'd risk it.

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Who Needs Parents When You Have YouTube?

By David



The Internet teaches us a whole lot about life without the need for us to actually live it. Thanks to today's online technology, boys no longer need to worry about seeking the loving advice of a male role model. Instead, they have the brilliant and less strenuous convenience of YouTube.

If you ever need to learn how to shave, go to YouTube.





If you need to learn how to shave your balls, you can also ask YouTube.





Don't know how to pick up a bartender? Don't worry, YouTube has the perfect video for teaching you how to win over girls that were once... unwinoverable...




Want to look charming by knowing how to play Pearl Jam on Guitar? No worries, YouTube will come over and give you some friendly tips.





If your woman has braces, no problems. YouTube has great advice on how to kiss someone with braces.





Ever wonder if you were gay? A YouTube vlogger has some friendly advice for you.




And most importantly, if you ever want to hit on a Japanese girl, you should at least know how to speak a bit of Japanese. So why not ask YouTube for advice?

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Why the world needs more Charles Bukowski

By David



There’s no doubt that Charles Bukowski is one of my favourite writers.

It’s hard for me to pick up a book and instantly be immersed in it. Every book I’ve been browsing through lately has felt like high brow, melodramatic nonsense. What gets me off are stories that are raw.

Bukowski wrote for the underdogs, the losers, the unwanted. He brings out what everyone else is fond of hiding. Sometimes he appalls me. Sometimes he disturbs me. Sometimes he’d make me laugh once again. Sometimes he’d simply be there, and I’d be feeling whatever it is I’m feeling and then life would continue.

If you were ever in the mood to sample any of his works, I recommend starting with Ham on Rye.

I’ll finish off by posting a video of Bukowski kicking his soon to be fiancé.

Good night.







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How to Write a Fourth Novel

By David




My first large piece was a thirty something thousand word novella about a boy and another boy and a cult. It was pretty horrible, but I entered it into a competition anyway. I didn’t win the competition.

My second manuscript was an improved version of the story about the boy and the other boy and the cult. I wrote half of it while in a relationship, and the other half while out of one.

My third manuscript was more autobiographical. I am quite proud of it. One day it will be published.

My current story deals with a messed up situation involving school kids.


Sometimes you have to wonder about the necessity of art, of fiction, of a film, of a portrait, of a song. I once heard a guy describe art as wishy washy nonsense. Upon first hearing him, I thought he had a point. But then I realised what an asshole he was. Think of all the time and all the money we’ve spent on films, think of the songs that have moved us to tears, think of the books that have inspired us to move, think of statues and bridges and history, think of the times we’ve happily escaped, think of your friend and his camera, think of the pretty girl in the train with the book. Without our creativity we wouldn’t have survived this far.

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Cool rings to rule them all

by Alvin

I love rings.

If there's one piece of unisex jewellery that subtly makes an impression, conveniently unites, labels, represents & gently expresses a person's character it's the ring.

After playing Final Fantasy VIII back in my high school days, Squall Leonhart became my favorite character ever - & as such I adopted his Griever ring as one of my own personal symbols; wearing a rough, stylised version I had made to this present day (one day when the financials permit, I'll get a perfect, worthy representation created).

So in my travels through the World Wide Web, here are some very cool, interesting, geeky, unusual, uniquely character imbuing "finger decorations" that I think are worth a showcase.

wear them wisely & at your own peril.


Black Lantern Corp sterling Power Ring

For those who came in late, Green Lantern isn't the only colour coordinated, ring bearing, cosmic superhero out there - there are 8 coloured lantern corps, one being the Black Lanterns who are all about death & whose rings are basically worn by revenants.

Why this ring? I hear you say... well the dark side in me likes a sexy black that can bring this ominous feeling of respect. If you're interested in wielding this puppy, All Need Fulthings Store has 'em on offer for the right US dollar.


Small Turntable sterling ring

You might have heard of Dark Cloud and then again you might've not. Out of all the pieces I've seen this almost came a close second, but won out because there was something "all-together" about it. Suited for the muso, the disk jockey, the gangsta & vinyl scratcher; just about anyone with an appreciation & practice for the music, would find this ring says it all.


Master Chief sterling ring

For the hardcore Halo fan & general Gamer enthusiast, imagine an elite class of club exclusively open to a prestigious few. Each member a renowned fragger sealing their membership by wearing a unique Master Chief Mark VI Spartan helmet of a ring, maybe leaving a gold version to the #1 and founder of the society.

How does that sound? It speaks for itself... If you want to make this a reality, Weta can help.


iRing

These are probably still conceptual, I'm not totally sure but I'd imagine these will kick-ass as one of the most sought after accessories ever.

Stylish, sleek, sexy! whist functional as a wearable remote for your iPod & iPhone; controlling your playlists via wireless Bluetooth all by sliding and tapping the face of the ring. Full explanation and instructions for its operatibility is available online, but once again I now wish I had an iPod (yes I know... shame on me, I'm one of the few that don't own one. I have my reasons, but rest assured when these come out - I'll follow suit with a sexy iTouch).


Steampunk bold, grunged, beaten parts ring

There's something nostalgic, something rustic, something vintage & "something" about a piece of metal that looks like garbage or out of this century.

It's not for everyone, but that's where its charm will be. Art that can be worn, for those with a steampunk reverence or those whose trades harken to the symbolisation a ring like this has.

Etsy has a lot of different types if you just generally search "steampunk rings".

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The silhouettes of Tim Noble & Sue Webster's rubbish

by Alvin

Their great sculptures showcased earlier this year, but either way: old news is still good news. The difficulty involved in its making is obvious; I wouldn't know where to begin if I attempted something like this...

... which is why, after attending a teen Filipino charity pageant of sorts, I was pondering that if i ever were delirious enough or enchanted by one hot female participant to participate. I would attempt to recreate a giant silhouette based on the rubbish style and idea of Noble & Webster's amazing pieces as my "talent". Booming a catchy pop rock anthem as I parade on stage, fooling the audience into thinking my sanity was in question, as I enthusiastically throw & position large pieces of refuse and furniture in the middle of the flooring. Then when reaching the finale, I unveil to the audience's awe the method to my madness; turning off the stage lights & switching on a strategically placed spot light, showing a silhouette of Batman behind the foreground of the rubbish.

I would be awesome.

I can't sing (very well to avoid dissapointment) nor dance or play an instrument to emotionally coerce a standing ovation, so what better way to express my talent amazingly than via this.

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What to do When Nothing is Going Right

By David

These past few weeks seem to have been a terrible past few weeks for a lot of people. There’s been a lot of yelling, there’s been a lot of crying, there’s been a lot of people bashing things with objects.

Maybe it’s the moon. Maybe it’s the weather. Maybe it’s the hormones. Who knows, maybe it’s me.

But when times are tough, what I do is, I find a beer, I find a cigarette, I find some trashy music and I find a necktie and a torn up jacket, and I stand on something not-too-tall and I sway and I blame everyone for everything and then, when things cool down and I lose my high, I do not fall asleep.

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Free West End Street Poetry

By David



Blackstar has decided to close down Thomas Street, West End, for a night of street poetry.


The details?

5.30-7pm @ Blackstar
Euan Gray
Benjamin Hooper
Arun Sol

7-9pm on the street
Joel Saunders
Peter B & The Homeless Souls
WORDS OR WHATEVER Collective:
Lesson
Dissent of Didymus
Mantist
Triks
Darkwing Dubs
Benna Zennabomb

9pm @ Blackstar
Alan Boyle
SIMONE Pitot & Matthew Colin


Click here for the Facebook invite and for more information.


Don't know who these guys are? Who cares. Who needs mainstream celebrity when you have the beauty of something raw.


I've personally met Benna Zennabomb, the Queensland state finalist for last year's Australian Poetry Slam. It's definitely worth it to see him perform.


See you there.

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The Phantom TV series! - the suit sucks btw

by Alvin


If anyone's ever grown up reading and loving comics in Australia, you'd at least have had to have read an issue of Lee Falks "The Phantom" or hardcore followed the cult hero.

The Phantom to me is up there as one of comic's great archetypes, sharing its role model status with The Batman & The Superman. Some would say He is the first costumed hero; a figure who's background is rooted in historical reference, pirates, native occult, superstition, serial adventure & the passing of the mantle to each new generation.

A great character that will now make it to the home cinema, albeit of a different and modern incarnation.

The concept behind this Phantom TV series reminds me a lot about the movie Wanted; a young man is "coerced" & discovers his true lineage reluctantly by a mysterious organization, tragically or for selfish reasons takes up the organization's offer & thrusts himself into its world, becoming the man he was destined to become in order to combat the evils that took his original life away.

This contemporary setting re-imagines the original character of Christopher "Kit" Walker in a modern world for a younger, more "cooler" audience, reflected in the costume design above - which I am not a fan off at all, and not so much hate but disappointed that this was the best they could come up with. It looks like they were going for a The Dark Knight armored feel, complete with nano tech enhancement explanations. You can read up on who will play the "Ghost Who Walks", the cast & details regarding the suit, etc here.


You can view the trailer below too - it looks interesting and if I ever see it on prime-time or on GO, I will definitely give it the light of day.

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Getting Published: Short Story Competitions and Magazines

By David



One way to get recognised in a depressingly competitive industry is to get your work published in magazines and short story competitions.

Tom Cho, a recently published novelist I met in the Brisbane Writer's Festival, told me that his publisher initially took notice of his writing through a literary magazine (I think he told me it was Voiceworks, but don't quote me on that). As Tom's work progressed throughout the years, the publisher realised that he was the real deal and offered him a publishing contract.

There are several short story competitions and literary magazines out there. Join and enter as many as you can. My first successfully published short story was published by The Melbourne Age, and that did wonders for my already bloated ego.

I must warn you, however, winning a short story competition or getting your work published in a magazine is a lot harder than you might think. Art is subjective and beauty lies within the wallet of the publisher, so don't be too put down when you have to rely on luck, coincidence and a shitload of rejection. I believe it's just a way of testing your commitment to your dream.

If you are under 25 and live in Australia, I recommend trying to get your work published in Voiceworks, because they respond to every submission with honest, constructive feedback. If you subscribe to them, you'll also receive regular newsletters that detail several of Australia's leading writing competitions.

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Saturday Morning Watchmen

by Alvin

You'll definitely appreciate this one Dave ;)

Oh yeh! A pinch and a punch, first day of the month. White Rabbit!

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