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.

"We make Pizza, with a difference!"

Dinner. Pizza. Mad. Moose. Red. Selle. Erwin. Thu.

To those unfamiliar with Mad Moose, it is a delightful pizza place found in oh so cool Yarraville. Ever got something you loved and combined it with something else you love?

Tonights Order:

__________________________________________________

At the beginning of the meal, I explained a few of the pizza's I had already tried and my recommendations. Sitting across from us was a very large lady who I 'assume' wanted to get an idea of which pizza to get, as such, kept staring at me when I was speaking. After numerous awkward 'eye-catchings', I proceeded to move a vase to block our line of sight. The rest of the night entailed her staring at me, very noticeable as she was facing 90 degrees and had her head turned to look at us. A fact Red constantly pointed out throughout dinner. AWKWARD MUCH? (Red will get his in Sydney)

Selle's theory is that the initial crossing of gazes may have been construed as a sign of interest? umm NO? clearly I had to keep looking back at her to see if her attention had shifted elsewhere. In finishing, yes. I am shattered because she was not the attractive girl I had hoped to receive attention from =/ .

Other than that, an awesome dinner! I think I made the right decision to not watch Harry Potter. I am a HP book purist and have been duly awarded for keeping faithful and banning those movies from my mind.

Mad Moose anyone?

Falling Slowly

Beautiful. So many things that draw me to this song. So precious..intricate..fragile. Realise it is difficult to sing so softly and purposefully.. which makes the first verse so captivating to me.

I don't know you

but I want you

all the more for that

In a dying relationship.. strangers to each other.. hope.. they can turn from the direction they're heading.. find love they once shared.. Simplicity. Reminds how special music is. Forever song.

take this sinking boat

and point it home

we've still got time

raise your hopeful voice

The Frames Version - Duet Version - Lyrics

Falling slowly sing your melody

I'll sing along

It's all okay

You belong to me

Lost: Voice

So I seem to have lost my voice, and this is not referring to this annoying sickness that has struck me down for a week now, rather my blogging voice. Why is this? Not for lack of trying.. I have 6 half finished drafts saved away but in each I simply stopped after deciding that I wasn't happy with them. All my previous posts were written when noone was reading them.. I had Zero followers and I could just type away.. no longer!

I think. How does one bring out their inner writer. No idea, but let's try. What would 'I WANT' to talk about? and my likes and loves spring to mind (the none female kind). NB: I realise that last comment can be 'misinterpreted'. I didn't mean it as a indirect way of saying 'I Love Boys...coming out of the closet', rather 'I want to talk about the things that I like other than girls e.g music, cars, sports etc etc'.

heeere inner voice... come out come out wherever you are? I will coax you out of hiding. You may be shy, but if we work together, it can be beneficial for both of us.

The End

The End, The End. What do I mean?

Am I referring to an end to my blogging days?

or perhaps the title of the latest Black Eyed Peas Album?

*BOOM BOOM POWWWWW*

which strangely stands for Energy.Never.Dies

Actually what i'm referring to, sounds a little like this.

"As we go on, we remember, all the times we, Had together"

Yes, Graduation. The culmination of over 15 years of schooling (personally). Talking about such a topic warrants the use of a quote because I'm very unoriginal. Let's go with.... Aristotle! I heard he was sort of the real deal "The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet"

Let's savour that for a moment. OH hilarious, I used the verb savour with a quote containing food.

But I'm not really a fruit lover so we'll even it out with a lesser known persons quote "A graduation ceremony is an event where the commencement speaker tells thousands of students dressed in identical caps and gowns that "individuality" is the key to success"

So the lesson we have learned today is, if you don't have something deeply profound to say.. perhaps add some humour to it and you too can be found in quotes.com one day.

I didn't really feel that going to graduation was particularly necessary.. I finished uni like last year and didn't feel especially proud or fulfilled, just relieved. My ice-breaker line for the day was.. "erghhh so don't want to be here, it's all for the family hey?" which leads into polite small talk which I don't really enjoy.

Now the thing is, my last year at uni is made part time mandatory... so I did 3rd year part-time, all online. So I haven't seen most of the people that I didn't talk to at uni anyway, so no big loss. It was always my highschool friend Michael and I, so I didn't need to make new friends at uni (complemented by the fact that VU St Albans is very popular with the Filipino Community)

Back, to my point however... it's made part-time online because you're supposed to get a job as a paramedic and study whilst working. I don't think I was ready for that at 20 years of age.. so I've delayed applying. As most of the course were already in the 'ready to work stage'.. they've all got jobs and see each other around.

The whole day I was greeted with expressions of shock and suprise... Brent?! I thought you dropped out! heyyy what are you doing here?? oh yeah.. i thought you quit? ohhh I remember you! well.. not cool.. okay I get it.. you're all working and paramedics and ohhhh so much better than me, try use some tact when talking to me. I believe I'm quite good at reading people and what they're 'really' thinking behind the fake words that come out of their mouth.

But hey.. just take it in your stride.. I think having travelled from the other side of the world a couple of days before would have left me in my fatigued, short tempered mode.. but I think I did a good job laughing it off with them and having to explain exactly what I've been doing for the last two years... again.. and again.

OH let's now move into the actual ceremony part... so much action already in the getting ready phase!! This is a double-feature.

*fast forward x 2 through speeches of how VU is growing, it's future plans, exciting ideas.... (Someone forgot to tell the old guys we're actually 'leaving'... on the way out from VU)*

*fast forward x 10 through us students receiving degrees* (I got in trouble for cheering for Red ... it wasn't very proper like, but this is like muckup day for uni! it doesn't matter if you get in trouble)

The End.

I now have a expensively framed piece of paper sitting on my floor, might put it on my wall... all I need is my mum putting it as soon as you walk through the door, she's already ordered a bunch of photos to send off to Philippines... awesome, family I don't really know or talk to!!

but that was it, the whole day was for my parents... they were so happy and proud and i suppose i owe it to them to just go through the motions and smile. I sort of forgot it was their dream to see my graduate and i'm the eldest, sacrificed and rah rah rah.... i'm happy for them.

after graduation comes work... so i'll let you know how that goes for me!!

Okay bye. The End.

Kanye West feat. Young Jeezy- Amazing

This song was my number 1 played song while in the UK. Strange how songs evoke past memories and emotions, i can still feel myself walking along the streets of Canterbury, stranger to all when i listen to it. Semi-catchy tune, might be a bit slow for some. For me.. the tempo is perfect. Reminds me of a confident swagger.. slowly nodding looking around.. I am better than everyone else- Also seen in the lyrics.. which is why this song appeals to me, it's all about yourself! build yourself up, pump yourself up, sing/rap along, just remember to be thinking of only one person, you are Amazing.

*Watch Video w/ Lyrics Here*

It's amazing, I'm the reason
Everybody fired up this evening
I'm exhausted, barely breathing
Holding on to what I believe in

No matter what you'll never take that from me
My reign is as far as your eyes can see

It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin'
(Let's go)

I'm a monster, I'm a killer
I know I'm wrong, yeah
I'm a problem that'll never ever be solved

And no matter what you'll never take that from me
My reign is as far as your eyes can see

It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin'
(Let's go)

I'm a monster, I'm a maven
I know this world is changin'
Never gave in, never gave up
I'm the only thing I'm afraid of

No matter what you'll never take that from me
My reign is as far as your eyes can see

It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin'

I'm amazin', yeah, I'm all that
If I ain't on my grind then what you call that?
Victorious, yeah, we warriors
We make history, strive off victory

Standing at my podium
I'm trying watch my sodium
Die high blood pressure
You even let the Feds getcha

I'm amazin', born on the full moon
I was bred to get it in, no spoon
That's why I'm so goose, summer time, no juice
Big family, small house, no rooms

They like, oh God, why you go so hard?
Look what he's been through
He deserves an applause

So amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin', so amazin', so amazin', so amazin'
It's amazin'

the next logical step

so like all good essays, my introduction is complete (my first blog) and now it's time to get into the body. I think it's only logical that i talk about my latest experience which was two months in the UK. We can start from Day 1 of the trip, but i think it's more important to start from day -42 to around -44. Lying in bed, on my laptop and i realise.. wow this is getting somewhat boring. Check my bank balance which has slowly been dwindling since i left the workforce in Oct last year and thinking how many months can i last with the $3000 left in my bank account. Then up comes the idea of just picking up to UK and visiting my brother from another mother (literally), so send through an email- bro says it's all good, next day buy a one way ticket and there we go. I suppose i didn't wait to think it because i know i would convince myself not to go.

Additionally i'm all for impulse buying, everything i get is impulse buys.. thinking back.. Bedroom furniture, cameras (P&S and SLR both), Plasma TV, Motorbike, Laptop, Car Audio, Fish Tank, Duffle Coats etc etc (there are more) .. but if i don't satisfy my impulses.. i'll be saddened- we can talk about money.. how it come and goes.. can it be measured against the brief or not so brief pleasure from new toys.. but everyones views are different but mine follows the idea that my money=my choice and whether or not you would spend $3500 on a British Bulldog means little to me, as long as i know what i'd do. And yes, if i didn't go UK i'd have a dog already... but poor snatch, aston, chester, t-bone, spencer, kingston ( still yet to decide on a name, i've made a list of about 100 possiblities so far) , will unfortunately have to wait until daddy can afford to get him again. (has to be a male... i am potentially sexist... but i believe honesty>sexism)

Where was i before i left? i finished uni last year.. i've been required to go primary school, highschool, vce, university and then bang.. i can do whatever i want.. which was a big shock to me- so much so i chose to do nothing and basically stayed home for 6 months. Although i'm sure the latter of the months was due to the ending of my last relationship. I technically could have applied for full time work as a paramedic over the last 2 years.. but i didn't, i wasn't ready to be tied down.. it's bad but i believe work to be the bane of my life, i hate being told what to do. So i suppose i was in the worst position i had been in for 2 years, not as bad as where i have been in the past but still an unpleasant time. so time for a change, i needed to break my mentality and did UK do the trick?

*insert two months of things i did/experienced in UK*

Now i'm back and where am i now? i was tired of being a bum in england, having no qualifications (other than a very specific paramedic degree) and being at the bottom of the food chain. After weeks of job searching, resume handing out, job interviews... i realised that it pretty much sucked. Did mention before that i had $3000.... $1200 going to flights etc etc... so i brought over with me 350 pounds. 35 pounds a week went to my brother for food (recession is hurting everyone, even the guys on $100,000+ AUD salaries, congrats to my brother for making something of himself) so doing the math.. that leaves... about 100 pounds ($200) left. I spent that 100 pounds ($200) very very very carefully over the course of 2 months (i didn't just live off my brother either, i paid for the majority of anything i did)... so i spend $200 in one week here so i don't get how that works?

But that's just it... i wasnt going uk for a 'holiday' i was going there to just not be here.. and i thoroughly enjoyed getting to bed early, going for scenic drives, visiting family, just living an english life.. as opposed to simply being a tourist.

So yes.. over there.. i did my own washing (none of my whites are white anymore.. but hey.. i tried), vacuumed everyday (must buy a dyson.. its a manly vacuum), dishwashing (must.. buy a dishwasher instead?) and took the rubbish out everyday (hmm... get a bigger bin? so i take it out every second day perhaps? ) and now i consider myself much more domesticated... well not really, but i have the 'potential' to be.

Well i'm getting bored now, so i'll finish up on coming back. Yes, i planned on staying longer. Yes, it seems like not much has changed since i left. Yes, my plans on staying for a year were scrapped.... but more importantly.. No i couldn't care less if you think it was pointless me going, announcing i was going for longer, think that i'm disrespecting the whole travelling to uk/europe thing. No, i didn't want to go to any other European countries. No, i didn't do as much touristy things that i could do. Whatever you want to do, go do it. Whatever you would have done in my place that i should have, don't tell me. Basically the next person that decides to give me any of the above and any of the same i've received... my patience has worn thin.

On a happier note, the whole trip was a definite positive and i'm now looking ahead to the future.. job wise, health wise, relationship wise.. and a number of other wises that i should be concerned about. So as a last piece of advice i'd like to share. Remember to smile,

I am.

and we're off

So here we go, my first words... i suppose we should take baby steps? but i'm not really one for 'testing the water' more of the 'jump in the deep-end' sort of guy. Now that's interesting, i talk about one thing and it triggers another topic? deep-end.. water.. makes me think of drought and saving water? so i guess that's how this blogging thing works hey? but then... what of my initial idea... i still want to talk about how i rush into things and sometimes spectacularly fail.. eg. getting fit/losing weight/becoming active.. can't just start out lightly, you have to go hard right from the get-go !! and there is my dilemma.. i've now forgotten all the other tangents i could have followed. Maybe i should create some sort of order? Just last night Jenny said there were a number of traits that a paramedic usually shows.. a strong sense of doing things systematically were amongst them and i think that.. unless we're talking about my bedtime routine, i don't fit that profile, but no matter i'm sure we'll work through this.

I suppose i need to ask why am i doing this at all, what is my purpose in writing a weblog.. alleviate boredom? try new things? have a reference to look back on and see how much i have changed days/months/years from now?

If i asked this question yesterday or today.. would i come up with the same answer? strange that there is a chance that i don't know, that i don't really have any particular purpose/expectations, or even if there will be another blog(s) to follow, but i'll have a go and say.. this would be a way to get to know myself better. I have views, opinions, experiences, emotions, questions... all in my head that i may not otherwise come across unless through 'expressing' myself here and actually consciously addressing them.

Well up to you, come along for the ride if you wish.. you can get off at any stop? i'm sure some of the places we go to you may enjoy, find funny, find alarming or perhaps offensive. Maybe i'll share joy, sadness, anger.. I have no idea of what's going to happen myself so just a warning;

Reader Beware.