tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38463152011-06-08T16:52:06.227+10:00informantspiespeople who say i'm hard to buy for obviously don't know where to buy beerSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.comBlogger741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-10422007086233618592008-06-04T12:19:00.005+10:002008-06-04T12:56:47.657+10:00Late Night StrollLast weekend I had birthday drinks to attend for a friend who I met many moons ago in Edinburgh. It was all quite civilised (a rarity for me) however was a good opportunity to do some networking. Networking down here has become even more pertinent as some friends are moving back to Sydney sooner than expected. Anyway when it was time for my departure I thought to myself I don't Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-20150508794178662008-03-05T11:31:00.001+11:002008-03-05T11:32:44.608+11:00The Relocation BluesThe move down from Newcastle has been much tougher than I anticipated. The Melbourne rental market is totally up the shit at the moment and every house is getting dozens of people looking. Advertising on boards, outside of popular places like Readings in Carlton have more people looking for a room than people looking for a housemate. In spite of this though I am being well Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-10411508455217121592008-01-09T22:47:00.000+11:002008-01-09T23:52:15.484+11:00How's About A Re-Cap (2007 only)Albums1. Animal Collective - Strawberry JamI have been a fan of them since witnessing what I thought (at the time) was a shambolic and non-sensical display of fantastic but strange melodies, curious drone pieces and performance art in Edinburgh in 2004 as part of the Triptych festival. Well who would have thought that this was actually their schtick???On StrawberrySimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-38302849875581394862007-12-19T21:40:00.000+11:002007-12-19T21:48:00.448+11:00where you beensqueezing out the banal lifeless rhetoric in which i cant even be fucked to use punctuation so invest in pauses at your own peril cause i wouldnt want you to explode your head maybe try reading without any emotion just one long monotone drawl perhaps imagine jay mascis reading it real slow yeah real slow howzit and also be sure there are no sudden head movements either because we Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1124523711166965982005-08-20T17:30:00.000+10:002005-09-06T21:14:35.426+10:00TATTOOSAlways kind of had an idea I would like a tattoo but then the problem I have is a) they're permanant and b) they're permanant. At one I looked at getting this this but then having an angelic foetus for a tattoo is what could be seen as quite disturbing. Wandering around the 'tinternet' you can find anything (even this shite) but I have managed to find a cool tattoo site where people go to Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1123679599668046732005-08-10T22:41:00.000+10:002005-08-11T14:12:28.516+10:00CLOSURERight now I should be 'critiquing' a sociological article but as king procrastinator I am choosing to try and hear people or possums crawl over my roof and 'critique' myself.Last weekend was weird for mnumerous reasons. Maybe it was the fact that I had witnessed two fucking amazing concerts (Interpol & Sigur Ros), perhaps it was the visiting of a friend from overseas who came up to catch Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1119351719015636352005-06-21T20:51:00.000+10:002005-06-21T21:01:59.020+10:00For All The Good It Has Done Me....Today was the final transition of...What was the point of that! A full time position back at my former place of employment. The joyous roundabout of a destitute life selling steel with very little meaning. Gone has all my energy and zest when I was able to write witty mutterings of passing celebrities and the (b)anal English folk. The joy of travelling and the Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1115879911799429422005-05-12T13:00:00.000+10:002005-05-12T16:38:31.883+10:00Ok I am going to ignore the fact how long it has taken since I was last here. There hasn't been any further word as yet on Douglas Wood the guy who has been kidnapped in Iraq. I wan't for the war but I didn't march with the 2 million others when I was in London back in late 2003 or whenever it was. I remember that it was bloody cold that day so that could have been a reason as well as not being Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1106218541910310082005-01-20T21:38:00.000+11:002005-01-20T21:55:41.910+11:00IT AIN'T EASY BEING BEIGE (SORRY SHIT STAINED TAN)
Very quickly, following on from my earlier hot wind blowing exercise into things GBV I found this article about their final concerts on the days of the previous year... sob but all good things must come to an end which I have realised more than some.
I have been housesitting lately which has been great. Looked after a cat who shat where it Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1104709013789405052005-01-03T10:21:00.000+11:002005-01-03T10:38:53.080+11:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER RECENTLY RETURNED HOME
Part 6 : Getting My Feet Back On The Ground
So I had the job selling paper and copier toner which no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get the guy to sack me so I quit after 3 weeks. I had a few irons in the fire and got to an assessment day for a pharmaceutical company but it really sort me out from people there who were fully qualified Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1100777798221592352004-11-18T22:35:00.000+11:002004-11-18T22:36:38.220+11:00WHATS THE WORST JOB YOU'VE EVER HAD AND MULTIPLY BY 10000000000000
Have you ever received a call from a telesales person trying to sell you paper (white A4 or coloured) or copier toner? Don't feel privilidged that you haven't been fortunate enough? Well I am the poor sucker doing it for a living. I wanted to quit after training but thought better of it as I wouldn't mind getting some money. I Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1099483765466970692004-11-03T23:02:00.000+11:002004-11-03T23:09:25.466+11:00ALMOST A FULL (COURT) HOUSE
Got a summons recently to appear in court as a member of the jury. I was first a little apprehensive then I found out you get paid $40 per day as well as fed. I thought there may have been a bit of a career in this. Anyway the notice advised to call after 5pm on the day before and I have found out that it has been cancelled. So many people have said that they have Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1099405469166803612004-11-02T23:14:00.000+11:002004-11-03T01:30:40.433+11:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER RECENTLY RETURNED HOME
Part 4: The Race That Stops A Nation
The first Tuesday in November to the average person throughout the world means generally fuck all but now that I am back home again I get to relive the feeling where everyone becomes a "racing expert for a day" because a) they read the paper and their stars say their lucky colour is green or b) they pulledSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1098615070796124402004-10-24T20:33:00.000+10:002004-10-24T20:51:10.796+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER RECENTLY RETURNED HOME
Part 3: Now I've Seen It All
Just finished watching that icon of Australian television 60 minutes where they had a story on people who love their pets. Now I am not the biggest animal lover out there in fact when posed the question once if I had a nice cute little puppy dog and it could live if I ate human faeces? Sorry but the dog gets it Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1097650767339384382004-10-13T16:45:00.000+10:002004-10-13T16:59:27.340+10:00GOOD NEWS FOR POPLE WHO JUST ENJOY GOOD NEWS
So Slint are reforming for ATP February 2005 in Camber Sands UK. Thats just fucking great as soon as I leave. I think that ATP is probably the best festival going but really when you have to buy your tickets as part of a 4,5,6,7 or 8 bed cabin and I just didn't have enough friends who would get excited about a festival curated by Autchre and watching Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1097569542946988832004-10-12T18:18:00.000+10:002004-10-13T16:45:44.736+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER RECENTLY RETURNED HOME
Part 2: Strange Goings
"I'm common as mook and boring as fook" was my common response (with some well received coaching) after the repeatedly phrased oh my god you're so eccentric or you're so funny whilst I was away especially living in the hostel and on my final travels. Come to think it probably didn't help but it was a way of getting the Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1097151735113056202004-10-07T22:07:00.000+10:002004-10-13T16:36:22.590+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER RECENTLY RETURNED HOME
Part 1 : Pleasantries
Maybe I am being a little harsh on my use of the word "pleasantry" but it really feels like it so far. A bit of banter to just fill in whilst I get my head around being back. Actually sitting around the dinner table with family over this past week hasn't been too bad as they haven't gone "tell us what you did for the Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1096510776831934622004-09-30T13:00:00.000+10:002004-09-30T12:31:56.053+10:00FINAL FORMALITIES
So is this the end or the beginning? Oh the rhetoric! Excuse me while I get my head out of my arse. 31 hour flight home was not exactly what I was looking forward to, however, I survived.
The last weekend in London was fantastic. Friday night started well when I went up to Paddington station to crack some skulls as I had been charged twice for my train ticket. I didn't let my Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1095791923746149232004-09-22T02:33:00.000+10:002004-09-22T04:38:43.746+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER FINISHING HIS TIME
So it's almost time for adios amigos to the people of the North. Living an endless Summer is somewhat ironic with the state of my t-shirt tan after a final soiree down through France (Paris & Nice), Switzerland (Lauterbrunnen), Italy (Venice, Rome, Florence & Cinque Terra) and Spain (Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid & San Sebastian). While Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1094251087538749702004-09-04T08:36:00.000+10:002004-09-04T08:38:07.536+10:00A DECLARATION
I love you more than conjealed gloopy room temperature chicken (with extra salmonella, listeria and the general bacteria attracted to cats - perhaps fleas) & sweetcorn (aka blisters bursting in mouth) soup with a skin on it. Indeed I love you more than rubbery prawn crackers laced with pig fat and Ultimately so much more than 'Special' fried rice. Special of course implying that Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1092273057543738352004-08-12T11:04:00.000+10:002004-08-12T11:16:21.646+10:00Dear Simon,
How are ya big guy? You seem to always be writing emails containing absolute rubbish so I thought the least I could do was send you one in return. Not much has been happening here. You know the old addage of 'same shit, different day' yeah well thats the way it is. Been listening to anything good? I can't help but enjoy the new Velvet Revolver album. Man Slash still kicks arse man. Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1091710275918437502004-08-05T22:34:00.000+10:002004-08-05T22:51:15.920+10:00THEY SAID YOU'D NEVER MAKE IT!!!!
2 years. 2 whole damn bloody years. Not seeing any family. Still haven't seen my niece or 3rd nephew. Haven't seen my first 2 nephews walk. Have heard one of them talk and my niece actually spoke to me a couple of weeks ago. Lucky enugh to see some friends and unlucky to miss some friends who were here but just unable to cross paths with. Have been extremely Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1090080672934319012004-07-18T00:50:00.000+10:002004-07-18T02:11:12.933+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN EDINBURGH
Part 6 : Pub Ping-Pong
With only a few weeks left I am starting to realise the need to get out and do as much exploration as possible so when a friend of mine asks "do you wanna fuck shit up?" there really can only be one response. The proposal was of Pub Ping-Pong (PP-P) where you have one different drink at as many bars as possible in one Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1089247014009074662004-07-08T10:04:00.000+10:002004-07-15T04:50:42.676+10:00G-B-V G-B-V G-B-V
'I AM A LOST SOUL I SHOOT MYSELF WITH ROCK N ROLL THE HOLE I DIG IS BOTTOMLESS BUT NOTHING ELSE CAN SET ME FREE'
Recently Guided By Voices announced they were calliing it a day after 20 albums or whatever they have released and it got me thinking that another one bites the dust. Bands that I have been into for near on 10 years giving it up. First Pavement then Sebadoh (Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1089153233820305112004-07-07T08:16:00.000+10:002004-07-07T08:33:53.820+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN EDINBURGH
Part 5: Meeting A Genius
"For fucks fucking sake will you fuck off because you give me the fucking shits" and who said I could not teach English. If you have read my earlier stories about learning the brutal English language and hearing my oh so eloquent usage of it you will know its not the easiest thing to grasp. About 2 months ago a funny Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1089055518780774662004-07-06T05:19:00.000+10:002004-07-06T05:25:18.780+10:00BE KIND TO BADGERS
Over the past few weeks I have developed a real kinship with badgers not entirely sure why, may have something to do with a fixation some friends of mine have. I came across a terribly disturbing piece that you can read about here so my ever busy badger friend found some more stuff. What can possibly found on badgers I here you ask? Well she managed to buy a Badger pillow Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1088358221295591952004-06-28T03:13:00.000+10:002004-06-28T03:43:41.296+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN EDINBURGH
Part 4 : Operation Codename - Excess
Over millions of years man has found many ways of torturing ones self and fellow man. As my time runs out on my overseas odyssey I am going to try and find new ways. Most people know of my penchance for an occasional beveridge but I am taking this to new levels. An example of this was last week.
Sunday was Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1084738397343808882004-05-17T05:55:00.000+10:002004-05-17T06:13:17.343+10:00THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Although there was no sign of Kevin Spacey or Benici Del Toro I have fulfilled another of my lifetime goals. Last Friday I was lucky enough to partake in a police lineup. The police regularly come to the hostel to get people matching a certain description and they were looking for male caucasion 5"8' - 5"10' with dark shaggy hair. In the words of the officer to me "You would Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1081814141989347102004-04-13T09:36:00.000+10:002004-04-13T10:07:46.576+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN EDINBURGH
Pat 3 : The Man Who Loved Beer
Kurt Wagner, the modern day Merle Haggard or Gram Parsons penned a song with his band Lambchop that spoke to me in more ways than one calling it 'the man who loved beer' from an album auspiciously titled 'how i quit smoking' which I tried to use as a soundtrack to my own personal demons when I was home. As you Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1081211062622567362004-04-06T09:58:00.000+10:002004-04-06T10:28:01.623+10:00PAY ATTENTION TO ME!
Hostel living where the opinionated and extroverted dominate and quite frankly confuse and annoy. No I am louder and prouder. My home, thoughts, interests and ideas are the only ones worth merit.
Where I can be something like, hi, I can only hear out of one ear that doesn't mean I am listening to 50% of what you say or need to be told twice. That would pointless, yeah.
Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1080772505693207302004-04-01T08:22:00.000+10:002004-04-01T08:38:37.793+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN EDINBURGH
Part 2 : NEDS
"NEDS" defined as Non-Educated DeliquentS are part of the former "cashies" for the youth generation. Typically styled in tracksuits or shell suits, kappa shirt and a burberry hat riding high with the fringe sticking out. In the Edinburgh centre there isn't as many as there is in say down Leith walk or even worse near where I work inSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1078152618603317552004-03-02T01:50:00.000+11:002004-03-02T01:53:10.483+11:00If you look at the top of the page you will see and advertisement enblazening google search engines which is not a bad thing but below it has a direct correllation of searches relating to this site. There is no problem here because at different times there has been searches for lyrics and stuff on different bands I have mentioned like Belle & Sebastian also there has been stuff of late for Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1078050432946780932004-02-29T21:27:00.000+11:002004-02-29T21:30:03.576+11:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN EDINBURGH
Part 1 : Hostel Living
Two weeks in to my newest adventure and everything so far has been a blast. Living in a hostel does have its benefits of a revolving door of a bevvy of beasts and beauties and someone always up for a drink/laugh. Of course there are some freaks here who think that there think that living in a treehouse is a normal way of Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1077221169824111232004-02-20T07:06:00.000+11:002004-02-20T07:10:14.170+11:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 14 : A Fond Farewell
To mimic the words of a recently deceased hero of mine I have said a fond farewell to London and all its glory. Don't get me wrong I loved London and all it had to offer. I used it to my full allowance for the first year or so taking in many bands. To pinch another catch phraseI found meeting people is easy. I made some Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1075395792994940782004-01-30T04:03:00.000+11:002004-01-30T04:05:23.250+11:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 14 : Something About The Weather
Snow, such a bizarre concept. Especially as it floats down and in some places it settles, others it turns to frozen ice and in some places it melts on impact. One question. How? Why isn't that guy who used to do the experiments on the Cadbury commercials in the mid-eighties still alive to tell us? It hasn't Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1073483785508858412004-01-08T00:56:00.000+11:002004-01-08T02:25:47.763+11:00OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW
I could do a rant here and now on how amazing my 2003 was but I don't think I'll worry about it. I was lucky to see a bit of the world and some amazing bands. Read some good books and learn to navigate maps. Immerse myself fully in the bohemian traveller lifestyle and lucky enough to catch up with some friends even on the other side of the world.
I also realised Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1072110657226583732003-12-23T03:30:00.000+11:002003-12-23T23:03:13.903+11:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 13 : Sights & Idioms
Went shopping on Saturday after a mother of a Friday night where I had farewell drinks and got lost wandering down the wrong street before back-tracking all the way back to where I started and going a way I was sure not to get lost. So I went into Covent Garden for a look around in the cold, wet, depressing and minimal Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1071852123615691572003-12-20T03:42:00.000+11:002003-12-20T03:49:19.576+11:00I was in the car on the way down to the pub with some work colleagues earlier this week when one of them began to discuss a program they had seen on television about how SONAR is killing whales by mutating their brains or giving them tumours on their brains. All of a sudden my colleague says "how good would that be if we could do it to humans? like send out electrical pulses eradicating people atSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1071237014021955622003-12-13T00:50:00.000+11:002003-12-13T01:01:49.860+11:00I'm A Cuckoo
So last Friday night I was given an early birthday present by friends Jake and Mel. A ticket to see Scottish twee pop band Belle & Sebastian. Support was karaoke madness where you were invited to participate via the website. Some quite debaucherous versions of Can't Get You Out of My Head and Heart of Glass with honourable mentions to the person who sang Babies by Pulp and the Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1070640173635981272003-12-06T03:02:00.000+11:002003-12-13T02:04:20.606+11:00IF YOU BUILD IT I WILL COME - Episode 4 : A New Hope
A couple of weeks back I blew this popstand here in London and took off for a weekend of Guinness testing in Dublin. After my previous debacle of missing my flight to Brussels I made sure I gave myself plenty of time for the long trip to the airport. I had had a large night previous finishing in a bar in Covent Garden sometime around 1ish Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1069866196706960962003-11-27T04:03:00.000+11:002003-11-27T21:28:55.983+11:00Next week I go and see Belle & Sebastian (buy their new album Dear Catastrophe Waitress so, so good). Below is an old song but I have always liked it. In fact it's not really a song it's more of a spoken word story. I haven't been able to do any writing of late as my flatmate has had my laptop. Pens and paper don't cut it anymore. Yes I have become a luddite. No I don't need to apologise.
I Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1067948765642282742003-11-04T23:26:00.000+11:002003-11-04T23:30:53.483+11:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 12 : Guy Fawkes Day
Over the past week London has been like Beirut or Baghdad. Loud explosions, one after the other firing up the night sky. What's this in aid of you ask? Firecracker night. November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day where everyone goes out and buys there 20£ bag of crackers to let off. Some people are a little anxious hence the past Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1066921158800065302003-10-24T00:59:00.000+10:002003-11-01T03:46:11.840+11:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 11 : English Music Press
Yesterday, I bought my first copy of NME magazine yesterday since July. You will never believe who was on the cover? Yes, The Strokes with the magazine also blowing hot wind over Kings of Leon, The White Stripes, The Cooper Temple Clause, Von Bondies, Jet and any other bands they have discovered. NME and Kerrang are Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1066407031277915882003-10-18T02:10:00.000+10:002003-10-18T02:10:31.343+10:00A friend of mine who is vegan showed me an anti-meat t-shirt with a picture of a pig that said "No i don't have any spare ribs!". Funny, yes. But not funny enough to make me stop eating pigs which are a very very tasty animal.Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1066219327707066562003-10-15T22:02:00.000+10:002003-10-15T22:02:59.196+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 10 : English Television
After a long hard days work I find it a little too easy to sit myself down in front of the television. In the new house I am in we have Sky TV which has somewhere in the vicinity of 100-110 channels including 11 movie, 9 sport and about 17 music channels. Plus on top of this you have your travel and lifestlye, fitness, Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1064334054664731912003-09-24T02:20:00.000+10:002003-09-29T22:00:55.893+10:00You try to be a good person, you really do. You have a vision. You're not like everyone else, no; you always follow through, you go the extra mile, you tip the extra dollar. You have goals. You have pride. You analyze, plan, and apply. You have faith. You stick to your guns and never let words hurt you. You're an excellent listener and you can always keep a secret. Nothing can touch you. Hell, Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1064231526823326632003-09-22T21:52:00.000+10:002003-09-22T22:12:15.163+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 9 : The One That Comes After Eight (Welcome Back)
After a small layoff this award winning series returns with more social commentaries of urban decay in the thriving metopolis that is London.
Since arriving back from an Eastern European jaunt I have moved into West London from my South London dwelling. The joy of living in Tooting is that I Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1063702187490241802003-09-16T18:49:00.000+10:002003-09-16T18:57:45.310+10:00I wondered why I would only pick up my spelling mistakes after reading something on here three or four times.
Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1063284990216895702003-09-11T22:56:00.000+10:002003-09-11T23:23:39.880+10:00If you are easily disturbed then stay away from here I have been reliably informed that I will be here for just under 1,487,000,000 seconds but time is running out. Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1063210719894178942003-09-11T02:18:00.000+10:002003-09-11T02:18:39.890+10:00WHO'S A LAZY BOY
Now I warned you at the start that the updates would be as regular as the Mr Teague ESQ website. I do intend on giving a bit of a travel update but I have been so busy of late with filling in my journal from my travels, sleeping on a couch, looking for a place to live, consuming beer and catching up on some music. Whilst travelling I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading 'On The Road' Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1061461114529711982003-08-21T20:18:00.000+10:002003-09-11T00:41:22.513+10:00BRUTAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Since travelling, many people who have English as a second language comment that I speak very quickly. This I have generally been aware of but am unsure why. I am also aware of my incline to mumble when I speak, so I guess what I am trying to say is that my english isn't of the highest quality although since living in London I have noticed that I round numerous words Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1061296085504621992003-08-19T22:28:00.000+10:002003-08-19T22:28:05.490+10:00SOCIAL MEDICINE
by L.K. Barlow
I detect a little tension, I need some social medicine
so break out the bread soda, make it safe to get to know ya
not bound by this tension, a little medicine, to set me free
now where is the cabinet and who's got the key?
Wheels in my head, they need a little breeze
a little medicine, social medicine, to put me at ease
A sure way to make me laugh, an ounce of Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1061207741414944632003-08-18T21:55:00.000+10:002003-08-19T03:32:03.770+10:00ENJOYING THE LOCAL DELICASSIES
Mind out of the gutter peoples! I have been treating myself (not that well though) to some local cuisines which some of you may find (dis)tasteful. In Slovakia I had the standard dumplings in sheep's cheese. It tasted pretty standard and seeing as I had dumplings a couple of days previous there was no real difference with the sheeps goo. Next time you hear someone Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1061035915234459182003-08-16T22:11:00.000+10:002003-08-16T22:18:23.710+10:00IT'S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL
I remember singing that when I was three at Mrs Henry's pre-school with her on the piano. There was another song we would sing as well but it escapes me right now. I have now been on the road for a little under two weeks and re-reading Kerouac's "On The Road" I am realising the parallels of traipsing across America to travelling around Eastern Europe even though I Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1060508542553068102003-08-10T19:42:00.000+10:002003-08-10T19:42:22.396+10:00FOR THE ABSINTH MINDED
Forget White Russians, give the man Absinth. 70% proof all good, all alive. I watched a man have 12 shots last night and live to tell the tale. I myself went for a safer 7 shots. In saying this however, people suggest that you should only have 2. Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1059735959017933492003-08-01T21:05:00.000+10:002003-08-16T22:15:50.266+10:00HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME
12 long months (for me anyway) since leaving the gallows of Australia and now I head off on Monday for my nest installment. Apprehensivly excited would best describe my current mood but no doubt that will subside to overwhelming joy once on the road. I am taking 'On The Road' by Kerouac to re-read because its been over 4 years since I have read it and I picked it up cheapSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1058960225974667662003-07-23T21:37:00.000+10:002003-07-23T21:55:37.333+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 8 : Thereom Of Relativity
An English friend tried to tell me the other day that London is the best place in the world during Summer. Pfft.... But then it got me thinking that when you think of how grim winter is here where you get to work at 8:00am and its dark and then it's pitch black dark when you leave at 4:30pm, coupled with a lack of sunSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1058725410658554392003-07-21T04:23:00.000+10:002003-07-21T04:23:30.586+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 7 : (I'm Not Interested In) Social Experiments
I recently caught up with some old school friends who informed me of our upcoming 11 year school reunion. I was quite outspoken (i know you don't believe me) in my lack of interest in attending. Apart from the fact I am 37,000kms away even if I was there I would still have very little interest (Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1058541430692285672003-07-19T01:17:00.000+10:002003-07-19T01:24:54.320+10:00All smile's and mariachi they're playing the weighting game can I order some cheese dip, a tea and two light beers.
Now I have grown up with three wonderful sisters however they are quite fanatical about their weight. So even I am surprised over here when there is a spread of food laid out and a waif like thing comes up to the table and has a crumb and thinks aloud 'I think i'll spoil myself'. Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1057768347506438292003-07-10T02:32:00.000+10:002003-07-10T02:34:39.900+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 6 : The Welsh Language
I am not actually sure what the dialect is called for Welsh but it should be something like bugger the Irish we are the really weird pricks. Example:
Welsh Address English Pronounced Address
Tai-Bwthyn (Note lack of vowels) Ty-boff-en
PenisarwaunSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1057650686264625342003-07-08T17:51:00.000+10:002003-07-09T23:01:39.730+10:00Most of you would be well aware of my hearing difficiencies what?. However, many of you are unaware of which side you should talk to me on so after watching an old film Julius Ceasar a couple of weeks ago I am going to steal a line and put it on a shirt - 'stand on the left for one cannot hear out of thy right'. The actual quote is for the opposite sides however it will still have the same effectSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1057579926850424322003-07-07T22:12:00.000+10:002003-07-10T02:07:35.190+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 5 : Nurse Thy Weary Head (Monday Dribble)
Hangovers....for all my bravehearted and legendary drinking performances I haven't suffered too bad for my troubles. Many would have witnessed some classic actions of oneself. I have been described in David Attenborough type musings by friends as a new and highly developed species in which his habitat Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-1056720338023121912003-06-27T23:25:00.000+10:002003-06-27T23:36:30.686+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 4 : Travel Brings Wisdom
"What is the hot globe in the sky" I overheard people ask whilst cowering in the shadows. "Fear not the yellow ball" i tell them, "I"ve seen a land where it lives in the sky half a day before being replaced by its white friend". Knowing this they rejoiced in the heat. Travel brings wisdom. Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-960130662003-06-25T22:18:00.000+10:002003-07-10T02:08:08.913+10:00IF YOU BUILD IT, I WILL COME - Episode 3 : FIRST RULE OF TOUR CLUB
With world domination imminent for the friendly fellows purplene (see link left) and their tour this weekend to Melbourne I thought I would recall the time I went down to Melbourne as "merch wench". It was the weekend post 9/11 and the tour was a pre-cursor to their debut album and it was an opportunity for me to catch up with Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-958033922003-06-19T06:35:00.000+10:002003-06-27T23:36:59.253+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 3 : Blatant Plagiarism & Other Mindful Gap Tales
What an exhausting job I have chosen! On the move day in, day out. The business worries are far worse than they are on the actual promises at home and on top of that I'm saddled with the strain of all this travelling, the anxiety about train connections, the bad and irregular meals, the constantSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-956666532003-06-15T04:46:00.000+10:002003-06-15T04:46:58.000+10:00IF YOU BUILD IT, I WILL COME - Episode 2 : A GOLDEN OLDIE
Thought it was time to dig up some archives of a time I would rather forget but many people seemed to find humourous at the time....
Arrived in Munich train station about 10pm then caught 2 underground trains to the outskirts. A fairly seedy area. That was where the fun began. I asked for directions off a person who inturn then hassled meSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-955946362003-06-13T02:17:00.000+10:002003-06-13T02:17:42.000+10:00Hello all, have made some changes as to show off my darker side. Have lost the guestbook but am going to ask Pete Ottery (aka web guru aka webmaster to the stars) if he can possibly reinstall one. Apart from this look forward to some celebrity spotting (your not going to believe who I seen) and my laughable general shenanigans.Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-952811642003-06-04T22:54:00.000+10:002003-06-06T23:03:33.000+10:00IF YOU BUILD IT, I WILL COME - Episode 1 : THE SWEDISH LIBRA AND YOU
Last weekend (30th May - 1st June) I took my 'Single Cell Organism' tour to the masses. Upon arriving to the red carpet and an awaiting limousine I was whisked off to central Stockholm to meet my hostess for the weekend Claudia. After an afternoon of loitering I was ready for my first 'performance' which was guarenteed to get Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-950291212003-05-29T19:39:00.000+10:002003-06-05T22:08:52.000+10:00Whilst reading my book ' Book of Laughter & Forgetting' by Milan Kunderra this morning my mind began to wander for no particular reason. Does a rhyming poem in English carry the same weight once translated into another language. Are there versions of the English languages fabled limerick in other languages. With any luck I will be able to report on this after the weekend when I visit Stockholm Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-949953612003-05-29T02:41:00.000+10:002003-05-29T02:47:37.000+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 2 : Finding A New Flatmate
Recently, my beloved dwelling in Tooting, South London, SW17 had a mass exodus of flatmates. Over here there are two main options for someone to advertise a room. The first is via a website for antipodeans and saffas called The Gumtree which is broken up into very easy options north/south of the river and each of Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-946307412003-05-20T23:02:00.000+10:002003-05-21T22:40:08.000+10:00PITFALLS OF A MODERN TRAVELLER LIVING IN LONDON
Part 1 : A Week Of Rock
Welcome to a new series beginning now that will encapsulate all that is good/bad about living in London. My flatmate and I quite often will look at a gig guide and will be amazed at how you could honestly go out every night seeing bands. Last week I put this to the test and here are Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-935905502003-05-01T22:23:00.000+10:002003-05-01T22:27:14.000+10:00Well its been nine months since leaving and I am almost ready to pop - gender yet unknown. Anyway I thought I would use my new venture to voice the gripping moments, the special times, the highs, the lows and how a boring and mundane week is still the same no matter where you are in the world.
So after planes, trains, ferries, buses, 5 countries (Lichtenstein in transit on a train is still Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-929756052003-04-21T20:29:00.000+10:002003-04-21T20:29:58.653+10:00I was evesdropping on a conversation between two French guys at bar recently where I was getting free beer, and it made me wonder how unfortunate it would be learning another language or knowing other languages with one of the communicaters having a speech impediment. Now whether that is a stutter, lisp or something like Elmer Fudd where your 'r' sounds like a 'w'
Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846315.post-827549892002-10-10T06:11:00.000+10:002003-04-18T21:50:36.000+10:00Truly inspirational anecdotes for all matters will be forthcoming shortly. Think the wittiness of Simon Jessup and the laziness of Marcus Teague with the oh so real and brash style of Irvine Welsh and you have informantspies. Simonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16401638156768969524noreply@blogger.com0