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of alleged wrongs" Ironically, the Chinese government has put a bit of pressure on some people and the film has been withdrawn.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.