Schrödingers Cat

music! +rant

2010-12-10T16:08:00.001-08:00

2010 will be remembered for the fixed gear trend, dudes with beards and mos that really cant grow beards or mos, shitty lo-fi garage beach indie rock with frumpy female singers, another generation of talentless "deathcore" bands trying to start a genre of music that was dead before it started (and those metalcore bands who use techno, fuck), crosby scoring the golden goal, the word "hipster" and everyone dressing like they are going on an adventure, another year the wintersun album isnt released, party in the u.s.a., even more girlie scene dudes from arizona playing shitty breakdowns, the rise of the "dj" who is really just a dude with itunes, and just a whole bunch of other horrible things that this year brought us. even if i tried i couldnt make a list of 20 albums i love this year, i had trouble with 10. but i figured ill give it a shot.

over the past week or so ive read heaps of blogs, pitchfork, ap, rolling stone, spin, whatever I could find on best albums of 2010. then i downloaded and youtubed constantly trying to see what the fuss was about. what i was missing. and in the end I just dont get it. i listened to beach house, deerhunter, caribou, sufjan stevens, the tallest man on earth, the walkmen, lcd soundsystem, vampire weekend, harlem, surfer blood, local natives, yeasayer. each and everyone of these will be on almost every best of list you can come across. i honestly wish i enjoyed any of this. i really tried (well some i honestly got 30sec into and had to turn off) but i dont. it focuses on guitar tone over substance, beard growth over emotion. maybe over time some of these will grow on me but i doubt it. ill just be lost until next year.

metal really went backwards this year. at one time it was all i cared about and this year many of the big guns released albums i'll never listen to again. burzum, dark tranquility, blind guardian, avantasia, soilwork, kalmah, kamelot, dimmu; they all have a back catalogue i will listen too until im old but all their 2010 works will be easily forgotten.

this is a weird list of 10 but it was a weird year.

here is what i can remember from this year and what i'll gladly take into the next one.

gaslight anthem - american slang
comeback kid - symptoms and cures
the roots - how i got over
agalloch - marrow of the spirit
minus the bear - omni
the kanye album
ihsahn - after
enslaved - axioma ethica odini
the black keys - brothers
black breath - heavy breathing

some good albums that i enjoyed but will no way make a "best of" list -

make do and mend - end measured mile (so close)
mikoto - transitions ep
equalibrium - rekreatur
russ chimes - midnight club ep
octaves - greener pastures!
beta wolf - ep
more then life - love let me go
cancer bats - bears, mayors, scraps, and bones
at our heels - misanthropy and godlessness
kvelertak - kvelertak
alcest - ecailles de lune
borknagar - universal

best rerelease of the year(?) -

bruce springsteen - the promise: darkness on the other side of town (i had to include this album even thought it came out in 1978. but its remastered and with 21 new added bootlegs and songs its world better then anything that came out this year)

song of the year -

usher - dj got us fallin in love again

new tunes.

2010-08-05T22:10:00.000-07:00

defeater - lost ground

5/5. unbelievable. the best hardcore band currently going. modern. progressive. angry. intelligent. its all good.

blind guardian - at the edge of time

5/5. they just keep getting better and better.

comeback kid - symptoms and cures

4.5. this isnt the "wake the dead" cbk. but its still real good. loud and aggressive.

gaslight anthem - american slang

5/5. some of this actually had to grow on me but i cant count how many times ive gone through this. bonus song "she loves you" may be the best one.

kalmah - 12 gauge

4/5. kalmah is one of the best and this album is much better then the last, yet with the new vocals they can never make another swampsong.

kverlertak - s/t

4/5. this came out of nowhere. swedish black metal rock n roll. one of the most exciting albums ive come across.

black breath - heavy breathing

5/5. do you like cursed? get this.

octaves - greener pastures!

4/5. whoa. cant wait for more. mewithoutyou vocals mixed with norma jean (bless the martyr) sound. heavy, diverse, tons of fun.

in mourning - monolith

4/5. great melodic death metal. this genre has been around for awhile but they can make it new. new opeth type progressions.

alcest - ecailles de lune

4.5/5. so good. beautiful.

more than life - love let me go

3.5/5. this band will be huge. just need to grow and better production. these new hardcore uk bands get better and better.

Beta Wolf EP

2010-07-09T12:27:00.001-07:00

Beta Wolf - "S/T EP"

1. Undertow

2. Los Angeles

3. Say It To Me Now

4. Dig

5. Girl On Fire

Free Download!

MediaFire Download

queen of tarts.

2009-12-23T16:11:00.000-08:00

queen of tarts. dublin. ireland.

blackberry apple crumble/soy latte

raspberry scone/soy latte

avatar.

2009-12-18T13:39:00.001-08:00

9.6/10 i would love to give this movie a 10, but if you cast michelle rodriguez in a movie i will always subtract points. the girl who almost ruined LOST does her best to destroy this film, luckily she doesnt have a huge part.

but it lives up to the hype. breathtaking visuals you wont want to blink. the colors and level of detail are unlike anything ive seen. and this does carry the film. the animals, the floating mountains, and the avatars themselves seem as real as anything.

but the story is very predictable. almost boring because you know exactly what is going to happen. but its good enough, and coupled with the visuals you get one of the best action movies in years.

the princess and the frog.

2009-12-14T23:39:00.000-08:00

9/10. absolutely brilliant. fits perfectly next too all the early disney classics. the only reason this film doesnt hit a 10/10 is because there is no classic song; no lion king theme, no whole new

world, no under the sea.

this movie just doesnt

have that song ill be

singing in 10 minutes,

let alone 10 years. yet

the story is great, the

characters are

memorable,

and animation

breathtaking.

MOvember!

2009-11-30T04:45:00.000-08:00

we grow mustaches (MO's) for mens health

http://au.movember.com/

donate!

(photos for MOvember, by Matt)

hobart-strahan (tasmania)

2009-11-29T17:51:00.000-08:00

a serious man.

2009-11-24T03:13:00.000-08:00

8/10 i try not to jump on the bandwagon of any particular director, writer, or producer but i think the coen brothers can do no wrong (ok ladykillers was awful) but this is another fabulous movie to add to their collection. like all their movies the casting is absolutely perfect. they dont bring in anyone because of a name, they all fit the role perfectly. pacing was spot on. you care about each individual character and their interchanging story lines. just a great overall film.

zombieland.

2009-11-14T19:47:00.000-08:00

8/10. amazing movie. fun and simple. harrelson and eisenberg were excellent. the girls i could of done without. one of the best cameos in years, even better in that it wasnt spoiled in the trailer.

paranormal activity.

2009-11-14T01:51:00.000-08:00

6/10 for what it is. made for $10,000 and thrown into the hype machine. the new theatrical ending is much much better then the original.

lazy sunday.

2009-11-08T03:17:00.000-08:00

imaginarium of doctor parnassus.

2009-11-03T03:31:00.000-08:00

7/10

very odd. scattered.

tries to be bigger

then it is.

enjoyable.

spoilers.

verne troyer is the worst actor

collin ferrell is a bad actor

johnny depp is in this movie for 3 minutes.

mother chu's vegetarian kitchen

2009-10-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

sweet n' sour chicken

salt with alittle bit of tofu

ham and pineapple fried rice

fried banana with vegan mango ice cream

the counter. again.

2009-10-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

at the counter eatin burgers with american cheese and american mustard, drinkin a coke and watching the dodgers game. doesn't get more american then that.

watsons bay.south head.the gap

2009-10-17T05:07:00.001-07:00

entrance to the harbour

"the gap" 50 people jump off this yearly to their death

glee.

2009-10-14T02:49:00.000-07:00

if you dont watch this show, get on it.

S.S. Steve Irwin

2009-10-08T05:59:00.000-07:00

gerroa, nsw

2009-10-07T00:57:00.001-07:00

(click on the images for better quality, upload problems)

southern right whale

berry donut van

2009-10-02T19:50:00.000-07:00

famous berry donut van, berry nsw

made to order on the spot

the chief.

2009-09-29T21:58:00.000-07:00

currently watching.

2009-09-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

sunday

curb your enthusiasm

simpsons

mad men

desperate housewives

bored to death

family guy

cleveland show

monday

big bang theory

house

csi miami

wednesdays

modern family

glee

thursdays

its always sunny in philadelphia

the office

fringe

flash forward

parks and recreation

community

30 rock

saturdays

snl

grounds keeper.

2009-09-22T03:07:00.000-07:00

melbourne windows.

2009-09-18T00:24:00.000-07:00

just finished.

2009-09-16T07:52:00.000-07:00

the harbour.

2009-09-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

currently reading.

2009-09-13T05:38:00.000-07:00

lnc dessert house

2009-09-12T07:13:00.000-07:00

lnc dessert house, city chinatown

lychee and mango

louis vuitton cake

lord of the fries.

2009-09-11T15:37:00.000-07:00

lord of the fries, melbourne vic

all vegetarian fast food. fries "american style" (bbq sause), fries "belgium style" (belgium mayo), mini burger spicy w/ vegan cheese, large burger. the fries are phenomenal. huge, tasty and over 15 flavors to top. the burgers taste just like a big mac. a veggie big mac. (although the spicy one was much much better.) very strange but i was craving them by the time i left. great bread though. and their vegan brownies and cookies are excellent. its no veggie grill but what is?

walkers.

2009-09-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

walkers doughnuts, melbourne vic

sydney doesnt have doughnuts other then krispy kream (and those dont count) but melbourne is the doughnut capital of australia. aside from the made-to-order ones i found on a random street; Walkers has some great doughnuts. big and fluffy. real chocolate and jelly. and its next to a cart that sells veggie hot dogs on one side and veggie burgers and fries on the other. pretty much all seven food groups on one corner.

pancakes.

2009-09-11T15:28:00.000-07:00

pancakes on the rocks, the rocks nsw (24hrs.)

"hot n troppo" - pancakes with grilled banana, walnuts, chocolate ice cream, and chocolate sauce

currently listening.

2009-09-09T18:37:00.000-07:00

andrew WK - 55 cadillac

ensiferum - from afar

brand new - daisy

jay z - blueprint 3

saosin - in search of solid ground

thrice - beggars

destino - disney and dali

2009-09-08T05:32:00.001-07:00

sydney swans.

2009-09-08T05:22:00.000-07:00

AFL - Aussie rules football. Sydney Swans final game at SCG.

complete with the "Mexican Wave" which is just a normal crowd wave.

sea shepherd

2009-09-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

home away from home.

2009-09-01T03:38:00.000-07:00

getting ready.

inglourious basterds

2009-08-30T04:37:00.000-07:00

another movie the marketing team decided to display an entirely different film they what it really is. i went in thinking id see 2hrs of brad pitt killing nazis. not so much. which i loved. everything about this movie has stuck with me. the suspense, the violence, the humor.

im in no way a tarantino fan, and they people who claim him "godly" i dont have time for. yet this film is brilliant. its slow. meticulous. thought out. and completely original.

its really all christoph waltz, who from imdb is quite the established german actor; paralleled with melaine laurent (who i now love). these two steal most of the screen time with some brad pitt violence thrown it. you'll laugh, cry, cringe, and cheer. at a full 2 hrs and 30min there really is a story to develop and i had a great time watching it. and final two scenes. yep. 8.5/10

this is everything.

2009-08-30T04:24:00.001-07:00

2009-2010 NHL Predictions

2009-08-25T12:39:00.000-07:00

its august, and aside from where heatley and a few other players will call home this season (who cares) there isnt much else to talk about other then predictions. here are mine for the 2009-2010 season.

notes - i never believe the ducks will place first or the kings are ready for the postseason, i just can hope for an LA vs Anaheim playoff series. i hear lots of talk about how good the blues are, i dont buy it. i hate the sharks and it doesnt matter how well they do in the season they will fail in the playoffs. i also dont believe the calgary hype machine but looking at their roster its quite impressive with bomeist.

east coast is tricky. lots of teams can be great if a goalie gets hot, none of the top teams aside from boston have a superstar in net. philly has ray emery, give me a break. i put the leafs higher just as i like them as i have some hope. i love buffalo but if vanek or miller gets hurt they are done, too much risk. 11-15 is mainly garbage for the next couple years. the west is so much stronger then the east.

here it is

Western Conference

1. Anaheim Ducks

2. Calgary Flames

3. Chicago Blackhawks

4. Detroit Red Wings

5. Vancouver Canucks

6. San Jose Sharks

7. Columbus Blue Jackets

8. L.A. Kings

---------------------------

9. St.Louis Blues

10. Edmonton Oilers

11. Nashville Predators

12. Minnesota Wild

13. Dallas Stars

14. Phoenix Coyotes

15. Colorado Avalanche

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals

2. Boston Bruins

3. Philidelphia Flyers

4. Pittsburgh Penguins

5. New Jersey Devils

6. Carolina Hurricanes

7. Toronto Maple Leafs

8. Montreal Canadians

-----------------------------

9. New York Rangers

10. Buffalo Sabres

11. Tampa Bay Lightning

12. Atlanta Thrashers

13. New York Islanders

14. Ottawa Senators

15. Florida Panthers

what are your predictions? post in the comments.

USA! USA!

2009-08-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

"I'm looking for players whose name on the front of the sweater is more important than the one on the back." - Herb Brooks

new team USA Vancouver 2010 hockey sweaters

i thought with burke, wilson, and the new young faces of team usa taking over this year the jerseys would be as modern as ever but instead they went retro. 1980 miracle actually. i like them and i cant wait to buy my Bobby Ryan sweater to wear all winter. but what's the deal with the rangers inspired jersey (on the left)? its not just similar, its exactly the same.

orphan

2009-08-22T22:53:00.000-07:00

what does esther have that damion, the exorcist girl, and every other "scary kid" doesnt? she's russian. and she speaks like drago. this film takes itself very seriously and pases quite nicely; but on a whole it isnt very scary. lots of big piano noises and things hidden behind doorways but nothing actually happens.

its quite frustrating when the audience and lead character know the secret but the other players are oblivious and act very ignorant to progress this story.

apart for an excellent final line, this movie has no redeeming value and when Drag Me To Hell is still so fresh in my mind, this film is just plain run of the mill horror, executed decently, but done far too often. 3/10

sweaters

2009-08-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

we all wait for the unveiling of the new 2010 Vancouver Team USA hockey jerseys (maybe you arent excited but i am) here are the new Team Canada jerseys.

district 9

2009-08-17T20:12:00.000-07:00

I wont talk about the plot and the one shortcoming i felt this film had. Just go see it. Its brilliant.

All films should be marketed like this. Not the viral ads (although they were cool) but the fact is you really have no idea what this movie is about. Its a mock documentary; nothing new (spinal tap, blair witch, cloverfield), about some aliens that land above a town and the inhabitants want them out. Yes thats the back story, but as far as the main characters, plots and twists; you have no idea. I'll leave it at that. It's very refreshing to sit in a theatre and watch something completely new; unlike "The Hangover" when half the cinema whispered "this is the mike tyson part..." Once the film starts you finally meet the protagonist, when was the last time you experienced that? I cant remember one. 9/10

new jams.

2009-08-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

lots of new music lately (some not so new but new for me). i dont think i can review all of them but here is what im listening too.

thrice - beggars (10/10)

the bronx - mariachi el bronx (7/10)

wardruna - runaljod gap var ginnunga

alexisonfire - old crows/young cardinals (8/10)

narrows - new distances

old mans child - slaves of the world (5/10)

musk ox - musk ox

young widows - old wounds

amiina - kurr

poison the well - the tropic rot

tyr - by the light of the northern star

therion - the miskolc experience

gaslight anthem - live at park ave. ep.

skyfire - fractal ep.

behemoth - evangelion

moving mountains - foreword

buried inside - spoils of failure

set your goals - this will be the death of us (5/10)

reign supreme - testing the limits of infinite

korpiklaani - karkelo

waiting for in 2009 -

ensiferum - from afar (!)

skyfire - esoteric

andrew wk - 55 cadillac

paramore - brand new eyes

gorgoroth - quantos possunt ad satanitatem trahunt

brand new - daisy

sonata arctica - days of grays

hope conspiracy - true nihilist

kids like us - the game

immortal - all shall fall

saosin - in search of solid ground

doomriders - darkness comes alive

evergreen terrace - almost home

any recommendations?

public enemies.

2009-08-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

Im going to get a lot of flack for this, especially from megan (who i believed walked out of a free screening?) but I absolutely loved this film. Visually from the costumes, the hair, the cars, the buildings, the music; I've never seen a recreation as detailed as this. Its a 1930's gangster version of Mad Men. The North Lincoln Ave. where Dillinger was eventually shot was the actual street, as well as the banks he actually robbed, and the prisons he really escaped from. Yes none of those things progress a story but I like Michael Manns (side note: how good was heat?) attention to detail. I've also read alot of negativity about inaccuracy such as people getting killed in different time frames and other events being jumbled up. This isnt a documentary, its a movie. Its very well paced; aside for about thirty minutes of monotonous dribble that could of been cut.

I wont talk about it being shot in digital as thats up for you to decide, but I enjoyed it aside from the night shots. Looked too PBS movie of the week. Video just hasn't matched film yet but I applaud Mann for being the frontrunner in the movement; progress is needed.

By far the greatest scene was when Depp is actually walking through the police station of the very officers who are trying to arrest him. He was arrogant, cocky, confident, and just a true badass the public loved. Dillinger wasnt "stealing from the rich to give to the poor" but his Robinhoodesc style brought him in the forefront of the publics eye. He was a celebrity, and Depp played him perfectly (and ill go on the record saying aside from scisserhands, todd, sleepy hollow, ed wood I dont really care for his work. especially because he destroyed willy wonka and pirates.) I really cant wait to watch the directors cut of this film as I'm sure there is more story that needs to be told; but in 2hr 30min this film holds up just fine. 8/10 (ya i said it)

for those interested in the accuracy of this film here is an interview with Bryan Burrough the author of the book "Public Enemies: America's Greaest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI" who was actually an extra in the final scene of the movie and his take on it.

http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=104839

currently reading

2009-08-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

wafu

2009-08-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

wafu

lunch special A

teriyaki tofu over brown rice

avocado roll inside out

japanese greens

push

2009-08-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

Push has the guy from fantastic 4, the guy that was always yelling in the trailer for never back down (also in blood diamond but i thought the first reference was much better), the girl from when a stranger calls, and Dakota Fanning somewhat grown up. I could of put names to all these people but that would meant nothing; they are all faces you recognize but cant recall from where.

This is very much a television version of Heroes and im sure people quickly dismiss it because of that; and I wouldnt blame them. There is the future girl, the mind controller, the matter controller, yelling guys, and a large number of others being controlled by a group of guys in suits. You never really care about the characters, the story doesn't make sense but the effects and the CGI are very impressive for this low(er) budget film. Ever since watching Battlestar Galactica I've never been able to tolerate lower then grade A effects no matter what the budget. If a sci-fi tv show can put out stunning visuals every week then anyone can. Wolverine that means you.

There are a few characters who can yell really loud and destroy anything in front of them, and when the two characters are running through a crowded fish market, all the tanks with fish inside start blowing up its quite impressive. The editing is very fast and futuristic but not over the top; all done very well. Also great use of Hong Kong and all the different variances in the city. I've read that many of the shots were live in public with hidden cameras and most of the people didnt even react to what was going on (even the kidnapping scene...) Wont win any awards but it's a fun movie to watch. 6/10

the counter

2009-07-31T04:54:00.000-07:00

the counter, crows nest

50/50 - fries and sweet fries

veggie burger w/ swiss cheese, pineapple, greens, carrot,

avocado, on a wholemeal bun with bbq sauce

Ive been eating at the counter in irvine, california since it opened and when I head one was in north sydney I had to take the train ride up and it was well worth it. amazing fries and great burgers (except no real iced tea bummed, but thats all of australia). same menu with the check boxes, nice staff. will continue to eat here while living in sydney.

crazy for the storm

2009-07-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

This book is for anyone who has lived or visited southern california, mexico, skied mammoth mountain, dealt with federales, went surfing, sking, have kids, or have parents. So everyone.

This is the story of little Norman Ollestad who was flying to a ski tournament in Big Bear on a private plane with his father and girl friend. The plane crashed into the San Gabriel mountains and his story of how he made it down (at 11 years old).

The tale is paralled with his childhood of surfing, skiing, and surviving family life in a troubled household. His father would throw him into rip tides, double black diamonds, and chased through mexican jungles at eight years old.

While reading its hard to remember this is a true story, it seems completely made up that such a young boy can survive the terrible situations Norman is in. Its a great story of survival that is a very easy read and will really have you look at your everyday life in a different way. 9/10

wolf creek

2009-07-28T00:30:00.000-07:00

"Pat what australian films have you seen?"

"not too many."

"You need to see Wolf Creek."
Australian film number 2. Wolf Creek.

Three young party animals drive through the outback. Car breaks down. Dirty old man comes to help, ends up capturing them, followed by torture, rape and murder. Sounds very familiar; and it is. I felt like I had seen this movie before but it is done much better then the typical american style these films are normally in. Its gritty, gross, and very graphic. Yet once the "bad guy" gets shot, then hit by a truck, and still ends up finding the kids again you start to really lose belief. If you're a fan of these movies you'll enjoy it; its far better then every japanese horror remake the US has put out. 5/10

wake in fright

2009-07-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

First film in my research of Australian cinema was the 1971 movie "Wake In Fright." Directed by Ted Kotcheff and starring Gary Bond. Upon research, this film was completely lost until one of the editors found an original copy in a box marked "for destruction" in a film vault in Pittsburgh.

The film has been remastered and is playing at a tiny theater here in Sydney.

This movie is disturbing, slow, hot, sweaty, loud, vulgar, brutal, and from what i've heard; incredibly realistic. Or "too real" as Australian audiences rejected it saying it was disrespectful to their country.

When I walked out of the theatre I really hated this movie, yet a week later now it still sticks with me. I've never seen a film like it, and I hope I never do. Along with a kangaroo hunting scene that was ok'd by animal welfare people because it was an actual hunt; im not sure why that makes it ok, but if you cant handle seeing 15+ animals behind shot from close up, beware. This is a movie to watch just to say you've watched it. You wont see anything similar. 7.5/10

san churro

2009-07-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

chocolateria san churro, glebe

hot and cold spanish chocolate. a magical elixer.

the churro

pear trifle

badde manors

2009-07-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

badde mannors, glebe

falafel burger

potato wedges

house blend chai tea

Waffffuuuuuuuu

2009-07-12T05:10:00.000-07:00

wafu. surry hills.

organic vegan brown rice sushi. phenomenal.

well thank you.

2009-07-11T23:54:00.000-07:00

bourke street.

2009-07-11T23:52:00.000-07:00

4th.

2009-07-03T23:59:00.000-07:00

independence day

brian is making one of these for me tomorrow

flat white.

2009-06-29T17:30:00.000-07:00

soy flat white will change your life.

bus stop.

2009-06-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

temporary.

2009-06-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

this is my temporary home in Haverfield, NSW

with Brian, Carlson, and the three dogs.

sydney.

2009-06-26T23:45:00.000-07:00

from north sydney looking into the city

*(shot on an iphone)

ducks commerce.

2009-06-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

goodbye.

welcome back.

currently.

2009-06-26T07:41:00.000-07:00

currently reading.

Crazy for the Storm: A Memoir of Survival - Norman Ollestad

excited.

2009-06-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

couldn't be more excited. on the biggest imax screen in the world.

(*bring the tissues)

make a living.

2009-06-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

This is where i make a living.