Parmaquest

Today marks the start of a journey.. from 10 to 1. The Top 10 Parmas in Melbourne as voted by "www.parma.com.au". Normally you would start with #10 which is unfortunately closed on Mondays, and #9 is $15 special on Wednesdays, so #8 was tonight's destination.

The London Tavern located in Richmond ... hidden away down a side-street behind the MCG. Daniel and I, the only 2 members of the quest tonight entered to find the whole pub stopping and looking at us. Bit scary at first.. the place was full of locals and regulars.

The actual food, seriously.. the best parma i've ever had (so far). I'm shocked that I still have 9 more to try.

*the chicken was really thick .. but some of the softest juiciest chicken i've ever had

*perfect amount of cheese, not too much.. and didn't turn hard

*delicious sauce.. the mince in the napoli sauce makes such a difference

*extra crunchy golden chips .. similar to high quality fish and chips

*even the salad was nice, I finished half of it !! for like the first time ever

washed down with a pot of Fat Yak. The beer has a similar taste to James Squire Golden Ale.. in one word.. sweet.

1 Down, 9 to go .. I'll be sure to let you know =]

My L Word is Loser.

I like to reward myself with dvds. Tuesday is $2 all rentals at my local, but I end up getting weeklies anyway so I don't have to go back the next day .. which defeats the whole purpose. Lately I've been borrowing 'The L Word' aka 'that lesbian show'. Why am I watching it.. I don't know, it's like peering into the lives of lesbians, it's new to me. Not to be crude but it really watches like a porno with a better storyline.. every 10 minutes 2 girls are kissing.. every 15 minutes they're going down on each other... it really is something else.

Me: Just these thanks .. (5 dvds- Complete Season 3 of L Word)

Video Girl: sure .. *does her stuff* .. are these for your girlfriend?

Me: umm... yeah *sigh*... [think quick think quick] she asked me to pick these up for her

Video Girl: haha yeah I was looking at these and thought, they can't be for you

Me: yeah *chuckle*.. sometimes I'm busy so this gives her something to do at my house..

Video Girl: That's not very nice, you should treat her better, spend some time *stern look*

Me: nah like.. she's around everyday..umm well, thankyou.. enjoy your day.

Great, so not only am I dealing with being totally embarrassed about the dvds and lying that they are for my imaginary gf.. she totally thinks I'm an A-hole that doesn't treat my girlfriend right.

Can someone please come with me to the video store next week for when I borrow Season 4? I'm scared I'll bump into her again.

Video Store Fail.

Film Report

In one word, awesome. In a few more words, I feel I have just watched some of the best movies I've ever seen. Love Exposure was genuinely funny. tragic. captivating. entertaining. Four hours of film rolled by very quickly, lining up for 45 minutes to secure the best seats wasn't boring either.

Hungry Jacks filled the void between the first and second movie. Though I still haven't made a decision on whether I prefer a Whopper or Quarter Pounder better. I do prefer the meatier/cheesier texture of the QP but there's something about the Whopper mayo that is very special each time. I think that some further field research will be required.

The second movie .. my my my .. the second movie. Martyrs lived up to my expectations, a truly horrifying movie that is not, and rightly so, for everyone. After some discussion, I realised that one can only comprehend how good the movie actually is, the day after. Jessa and Jazel walked out halfway through the movie, Clarice cried. I have a suspicion they don't share my high regard for the film, but if you can make it through.. the movie is superb upon reflection.

I wish I could watch a number of other films that appeal to me, but my wallet will not allow it. Apologies Mr & Mrs FilmMaker but your work has been relegated to my ever increasing 'to download' list.

My 1st Melbourne Film Festival was great, and I will be sure to catch it again next year!

MIFF

Never been MIFF before but I want this year to be the first. Scouring websites looking for the must watch, the obscure that would interest me or the docos that would fascinate me. Official websites, Youtube trailers, Google searches, IMDB and various forums. With close to 300 possibilities, I was sure to find a few and have since compiled a list. I'll give a mention to the 2 I'm most likely going to actually see at Melbourne's International Film Festival.

Martyrs (France, Drama/Horror)

A young woman's quest for revenge against the people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child.

"I found Martyrs a truly horrific experience. However an experience I was pleased to have survived. There is no way you can enjoy this film, you merely endure the sheer horror of what is presented on screen"

How can you not be curious after countless reviews like that, but in addition is rated very highly with a fairly consistent 9/10. Rather than a mindless horror flick, the intellectual aspirations of the director set this apart from the rest for me. [Trailer]

Love Exposure (Japan, Action/Comedy/Drama/Romance)

A 237 minute (4hr) movie about a pervert, shooting upskirt pictures.

"An epic masterpiece that is going to dominate the filmscape for decades"

"Imagine the perfect movie... The best 4 hours of cinema I have ever seen"

Some very big calls about the movie, but as the winner of numerous film festival prizes, it has the credentials to back them up. A consistent 9-10/10.. the insanely long 4 hours is meant to fly by. I've seen a couple of the directors previous films which I thought were alright. In the end, who couldn't enjoy watching japanese girls. [Trailer]

I also frustratingly wanted to watch Petition- The Courts of Complainants, which is apparently a "searing chronicle of ordinary citizens victimised by corrupt Chinese bureaucracy after they petition for redress of alleged wrongs" Ironically, the Chinese government has put a bit of pressure on some people and the film has been withdrawn. ARGH! I will one day watch this doco.. I can't even find information on Google about it, damn censorship.

Anyone interested in watching with me let me know.. there are a heap of other movies on my 'want to see' list, so if none of these tickle your fancy.. I'm sure we could find something that would! Be quick though, the screenings have already begun!

Planned session times:

Thur 6th Aug: Love Exposure @ 7PM then Martyrs @ 11:30PM.

PWOAH Mega Movie Night.

Keffiyeh

Today I learnt a new word, Keffiyeh. This word replaces 'mexican scarf' and 'bandana scarf'. Although technically speaking they are Arabic. I have long since wanted such an article of clothing but have been advised by a few people 'NO!'.

I quite like the look and as such, went searching today. Rogues in MC has them for $25 .. but a little birdie told me to try Cotton On where a $10 price tag may lie waiting. I went Vic Market and tried my luck there, but nothing. I did however pick up a brown scarf.. $5!!

I think I'll get one.. some people like them, some people dislike them.. but since it's my neck on the line, I'm all for giving it a go.

*EDIT* I have since bought one from Cotton On $10, yet to find 1 person who actually likes them besides myself.

The best things in life are free

3 hours sleep last night + going to bed at 7am + strange bed + driving both up and back from Mt Bulla within 24hrs + alcohol + hayfever + flu + medicines = An extreme tiredness.

As soon as I got back home today, rushed upstairs .. changed into my sleeping clothes (aka underwear only) and went to sleep. 2 hours later, my eyes open and my body is flooded with an immense pleasure as I realised I had just had an afternoon nap. Dead to the world, I look at my phone and see missed calls and messages and pleasantly smile as nothing else matters than once again laying my head back down and drifting back to sleep. This is one of the greatest feelings ever.

The second almost as equally great feeling is not one commonly discussed. After a few alcoholic drinks.. the body responds by demanding you relieve yourself.. also known as the need to 'break the seal'. In a tipsy/drunk mood, you make your way to the bathroom.. and begin to pee.. BANG

A wave of pleasure rolls down your alcohol affected body.. often accompanied by an involuntary shiver.. the closing of your eyes and a loud groan. A very common sight in the mens room, I cannot speak for the ladies.. I don't know if it works the same way (not sure if I'd like to). This is one more of the greatest feelings ever.

I have been fortunate to experience both in a number of days.. and look forward to experiencing some of lifes simple pleasures again.. and again.. and again, in times to come.

Waterworks

Snow is melting, the Earth is crying. There is no Planet B.

Save Water, Drink Beer!

yes yes, get excited Earth Warriors. My house has been fitted with energy saving globes and water saving shower heads. As traditional news flashes are dead trees with information smeared on it, I will report:

Electronic News Flash!! This is probably THE worst thing that has happened to me in a long time. My shelter, the only thing that gets me through waking up early, an instrument that heals my aching body, renews me as I emerge fresh.. I am referring to my shower. Has been destroyed!! No longer can it perform the aforementioned. The new bane of my life, a Water Saving Shower Head. Like seriously wth? Restricting water flow to a slight drizzle .. a small collection of pin thin streams that could hardly fill a water bottle.

As I yelled to my sister in shock while I was getting my shower started this morning asking whether she had seen the monstrosity lingering above my head, we came to the conclusion that we cannot stand for it and will buy a Water Wasting Shower Head. I apologise to the Earth but Green is only Clean when one can have a proper shower.