cotton-eyed s'mookie

Last night I went to the pub to grab some dinner and after about half an hour, Basil said to me, 'Jude... you look like you're really stressed at work at the moment. I used to work in the city and would see the office people with the same look in their eyes as you have right now.'

I wonder if I'm foaming at the mouth too.

So you don't make the same mistake as I did...

There is nothing 'delightful' about Uncle Toby's Oat Temptations Date Delight with a hint of Golden Syrup.

I was opposed to buying the multi-varietal 12-pack box of porridge for this very reason.

As it is, I'm gastronomically opposed to dates and golden syrup (maple or nothing, honey), whether they be separate or combined, but in a bold move this morning, I opted for this one.

Every suspicion that I had about this particular flavour was confirmed. I foresee a collection of unwanted Date Delights in our pantry.

I'll never have that recipe again... A... gaaaaaaaaaaaaaain...

When measuring door hardware...

supremookie chooses to listen to Kate Monroe.

The other night (don't ask which one, I have no idea), I had an urge to listen to 'The Joshua Tree' while I was doing some work at home.

Most of my CDs are still boxed up from when I moved - at some point I will have to go buy some shelving. I realised that when I was packing, I must have been so delirious that when I labelled the boxes, it was in some secret code.

Having opened and searched through all 6 boxes, I finally found 'The Joshua Tree'... in the first box I had opened. Just because it said 'Misc. mixed DJ stuff' or something vague like that, I really should have known.

However, I did happen to stumble across both of Kate Monroe's 'down underground' CDs. And I haven't stopped playing them since...

Favourite song at the moment?

'Lost and Found' by D*Note (who also brought us the brilliant 'Garden of Earthly Delights').

'There's not a thing I can't take in my stride,

I'm on my way to a higher ground.

Feel so calm there is nothing to hide,

Once I was lost but now I'm found.'

Something has to be said...

When you've just spent the past 10 minutes cleaning the tea kitchen because you just couldn't be bothered tidying up after your meeting the afternoon before and while you're waiting for the water to boil so that you can have your first cup of coffee because you know you're going to crack'em if you don't, *someone* goes in there and repeatedly sneezes all over everything.

And we're talking f-off, sneezeguard shattering sneezes. Without covering his mouth.

Nevermind that you've already placed your coffee and milk in a mug (because one likes to be prepared for when the water doth boil) and silly you, you didn't cover it because why on earth would you be expecting germ warfare?

And while you're sitting at your desk cringing, he was considerate enough to finish making your coffee and brings it to you.

Seriously... I can't drink this. I don't even want to go back into the tea kitchen because of the cloud of biohazard. I'm going to have to accidentally knock it off my desk or something.

*places coffee mug vicariously on the edge*

Alright, I've cracked'em.

No surprises here.

*yawn*

Ever come out the other end of a weekend and felt more tired than ever?

The odd thing is that I was home and in bed by midnight every night.

I need a nap.

No... I need a holiday.

The World Game.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back outside...

Yesterday, we had a game of soccer ('futbol') in Northcote.

It was Skiers v. Boarders and whilst speculation was ripe that Camper Dan had unfairly stacked her team (skiers), in the end it was the skiers who had to do a lot more pleading to get all the ladies in red up and on the pitch.

I will admit that I was one of the reluctant ones. I had gone wearing a red shirt as I'm a skier (just... Bird's Hill Park, darlings) but my willingness to play was not overly enthusiastic. I haven't played soccer since Grade 6 and I think it was fairly noticeable. Plus I'm not big on contact sports. Or running. Or kicking.

In fact, my first instinct when I see a ball lobbed high above me is to set the ball for my attackers. Way wrong sport.

In true futbol form, we had a gaggle of Footballers' Wives on the sidelines. I think there may have been more wives than players at one point. Bygones.

Special mention goes out to fitzroyal who took a couple for the team. I never thought we'd have to invoke the Blood Rule at a friendly...

Anyway, Camper Dan's team prevailed before the showers settled in and so ended the 3rd Ladies' Soccer World Cup.

Something different.

After work last night, Camper Dan and I chose to forego our usual after work venues and went to the Gertrude Street Enoteca (www.gertrudestreetenoteca.com). I think this place is close to wine (wino?) heaven.

I had the very nice Moon 'Midnight' shiraz from the Goulburn Terrace Winery in Nagambie, Victoria. CD had a Spanish red which I can't remember and probably couldn't pronounce or spell anyway.

We even had a brush with a bit of a celebrity - although CD might not agree. It turns out that one of the owners of Gertrude Street Enoteca is Brigitte Hafner, who happens to be a food writer (amongst many other talents) for 'Epicure' in The Melbourne Age.

I've posted previously about how much I look forward to reading 'Epicure' on Tuesdays so I needn't go on about it again.

Anyway, a couple of hours here made for a perfect ending to the week. Thanks, Camper Dan!

Clarification.

As it turns out, JGT did not buy the Powerball that lights up for us. Which is fine with me because I don't look at it when I'm using it anyway! And it certainly isn't suitable for use as some sort of dance party accoutrement either.

So last night, I did a little bit of exercise and decided to incorporate a Powerball workout, if you will. I found that I'm much better at getting the thing going with my left arm than with my right.

However, I woke up in the middle of the night and both my arms were numb and tingling. Is this some sort of side effect? Am I giving myself Carpal Tunnel?

The wrists are a bit sore today, darling... A bit sore. I've got pansy paw.

You may recognise this photo...

Because I pinched it off tsaiWare's blog. Very cheeky, I am. (Thanks, J2!)

Yesterday, I received a Powerball in the post (I also met one of our neighbours in our office building but that's a story for another day). Thanks JGT!

Last night, Lady Susan and I attempted the Powerball. I think we managed to incorporate an ab workout as well because it was hilarious! I see what they're saying when they tell you to hold on tightly because if you actually get this thing going, the amount of force in your hand is incredible!

It's kind of freaky and a *very* weird sensation but I like it.

Now I can buff up my forearms for my Camper Dan tattoos.

By the way, does anyone know if this thing is supposed to light up? For some reason I thought it was supposed to.

My Super Crap Movie.

Whilst I embrace Uma Thurman's return to the big screen, 'My Super Ex-Girlfriend' is an awful excuse for a movie.

Horrible, horrible stuff.

The only thing that made it bearable was having good company. Thanks, Lady Susan!

Heaven's above...

I've just realised that I've been one day behind this entire week.

This has nothing to do with the fact that it's Saturday and I'm at work.

*hmph*

My subconscious must be trying to make me feel better about my upcoming deadlines...

Crap.

This is the house that Jack built.

Actually, this is what's used to cut my hair.

Fascinating.

A night at the hairdresser's.

Last night, I had my haircut. I really like that Cisco (sp?) doesn't actually use scissors to cut my hair. He uses some sort of blade-like device. I'll try and find a picture.

Because Cisco was a bit backed up with appointments, his wife, Sophie, who is a colourist at the salon, 'finished' my hair.

I have no problems with this because it's not like she's just there hanging out, but there were a couple of incidents that made me raise my eyebrows.

Firstly, I had issues with her saying, 'Your hair doesn't need much blow waving...' I don't recall asking for a blow wave. Can you blow wave such short hair? What is blow waving?

Secondly, while she was putting product in my hair: 'So... do you know where he was going with this? Is it supposed to be big or flat? I think he makes it big then smushes it down in the end.' You should have seen her accompanying facial expression. And since when is 'smush' proper hair-dressing terminology?

Lastly, five minutes later while she's *still* playing with my hair: 'I could play with this for days...' That's when I started squirming and saying, 'That's great... thanks... *tries to get up*.'

Anyway, now that I don't live around the corner, I had to walk back home... and I was smushing my hair back down the entire way.

By the way, congratulations to Cisco for winning the hair competition on Sunday! Good luck at Nationals!

Songs of the Week

Way back on the 25th of January 2001, I was out on the Prince Bandroom balcony, listening to Guy Uppiah DJ. It was Miss Collins' birthday bash and the birthday girl had yet to arrive. But that's beside the point.

Guy played a song which I'd only heard once before but loved and I was finally able to find out what it was called... That song was 'Shamefaced' by Coldfeet (Francois K remix).

Every now and then when I'm shopping on Hard to Find Records (www.htfr.com), I'll look up this track to see if it's there... and last week it was! Now I have my very own copy - and it was the last copy in stock. SCORE!!!

I also had a look for 'Believe' by The Traveller & In Motion. This track is on the very first Trance Nation compilation by Ministry of Sound. Now I own this record too... and it's a double LP.

Yes, it was a very good day at Hard to Find...

And a big round of applause goes out to...

Grace!

Happy Birthday!

33 today... 33 today....

Hehehehe...

I'm in my happy place...

Meow meow meow meow...

>:o(

Ouch.

I never realised how important my thumbnail was until I damaged it stripping speaker wires yesterday.

What started as a simple split in the nail turned into agonising pain when the bit of nail got caught in some clothing and ripped right off.

Yowch.

Crap.

My CD-burner is broken.

Now I have all this music *trapped* on my hard disk.

Double crap!

Because I believe in buying music.

I just discovered that I have an iTunes account.

So I bought the Feist album 'Let It Die'.

Another fine Canadian chanteuse.

Get it.

Embrace it.

Song of the week

You guessed it... 'Give it Back' by Gaelle. I prefer the Putsch 79 'Lectro Remix.

Give it back

You hijacked my mind so
I'm falling in circles
Can't catch my fall so
I need you to be close 'cause
Where you go, I'll follow
So give it back

In my bed
Sleeping not
I cannot explain what's in my head
Longing for
An empty thought
But I seem to think of you instead

You blew my mind away
And I can't let you go

Took it and ran away
Just had to let you know

Just dropped a line to say
That I lost all control

In my head
And in my heart
I cannot complain
No one competes
Longing for this pace to stop
Never been the same
Since you loved me

You blew my mind away
Now that I'm torn apart

Took it and ran away
Is when you come for my heart

There's nothing left to say
And I don't know where to start

Give back my thoughts to me

Nine records later...

I'm beginning to wonder if I ever will retire from DJing, once and for all.

Still... I can't wait to go home and play!!!

*claps*

She's gone... a thousand mi-i-iles away...

Most likely to be found on a dancefloor in Germany.

I'm not sure what this means.

DJ Grace, vamping it up.

Come back soon, Stasch! Your disco needs you!

stencils

Finally!

I have been tortured for the past two and a half weeks, trying to find a song that I heard at Mastie's birthday... and I finally found it this morning.

It's 'Give It Back' by Gaelle.

Needless to say, I snapped up a copy. If it's out of stock, I might cry.

Seriously.

JGT - YOU FAILED!!!

I am the Lizard Queen!!!

Not really.

This morning I found www.housemusic101.com on iTunes radio.

*loves it*

A first for everything.

For the first time ever in Melbourne, I was asked to play 'tribal' music.

You see, tribal is very Sydney and apart from a few underground parties here, you don't really get a lot of it around the Melbourne discos. At least not the ones I frequent. Which could mean that they're playing tribal everywhere and I'm just unaware. But I digress...

As I blogged last week, I returned to the decks for a farewell party. I had an absolute blast and was subsequently asked to play at someone's 40th birthday... in eighteen months time. Pity I can't remember her name or what she looks like.

And I finally got to play 'Back from Outer Space' by Mirabeau, which is this hot track that samples 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor. I picked this record up back in March and it went straight from the parcel packaging into a storage case.

I will post photos from the farewell party some time this week.

I'm not coming out of retirement though. Not this time. Apart from the random 40th in 2008, the only future plan I have for DJing is when Stasch comes home.

Wish you'd been here...

JGT, I wish you had come to Melbourne this past weekend and we'd gone to yesterday's Tigers vs. Magpies games.

Then I could do my Dance of Superiority to your face.

GO TIGES!

Meanwhile, it's not really a good idea to taunt Collingwood fans who've just watched their team play horribly.

Especially when you're 4 levels below ground in a carpark and the person you're with doesn't understand why you're running away.

Happy Canada Day!

Test your knowledge on Canadian history:

http://www.cbc.ca/cgi-bin/quiz/quiz.cgi?quiz=quiz060630

I'm not going to tell you my score... because I haven't done it yet.