this is insect speed.

Biennale, 2010.

2010-06-09T01:06:00.008-07:00

At last I have some photos to share: Biennale 2010, Cockatoo Island. Really worth a visit.

One of the first, and best artworks we see: Inopportune: Stage One by Cai Guo-Qiang, 2004.

He with Glands of Wasp by Rohan Wealleans, 2009.

Morritzio experiences Kasbah by Kader Attia, 2010.

My personal favourite, My Hubble (the universe turned in on itself) by Peter Hennessey, 2010.

? Please let me know if you have the details of this artwork.

Some kind of old crane with wood and barnacles, somewhere on the island.

Inside some warehouse, somewhere on the island.

Pikelet at Oxford Art Factory.

2010-04-30T22:36:00.008-07:00

With The Maple Trail and Songs.

Unfortunately my photos from this night are not much chop...I've borrowed a Nikon D70 from my brother which is really awesome, but I basically have no idea what I'm doing with it most of the time. So learning little by little.

It had been a good year and a bit since I'd seen The Maple Trail so I was pretty excited to hear some of their new stuff. As it turns out I only caught the middle of their set but from the sounds of it, they've still got it...so many layers and all of them brilliant.

Up next was Songs - I didn't know of this band until I got back from overseas last October but on the two occasions I've seen them since they've been fantastic. They just seem so together.

Perhaps it was only because I thought the supports were so on it, but Pikelet wasn't all I was hoping for. In fairness, the crowd did seem a little talkative and I was pretty distracted throughout most of her set, but somehow it all felt a bit sameish. Maybe her solo performance would be a little more varied.

Kitchen's Floor.

2010-04-24T23:32:00.004-07:00

So I hadn't heard of Kitchen's Floor until recently, but I must say they played a mighty good live set. Their support, Holy Balm, were also fantastic though unfortunately I wasn't able to get any shots of them. It was kinda fun to hang at The Friend in Hand too - I walk past this place almost every day but hadn't been in before this show... I hope they have some more bands play there soon.
To hear recordings of these sets by Holy Balm and Kitchen's Floor head over to Sydney Tapes. While you're there you should definitely check out the sounds of Little A and Hira Hira...they are fabulous.

Botanica.

2010-04-11T06:03:00.005-07:00

So I'm going to try blogging again, which after five months seems superbly difficult, especially without the topic of travelling to fall back on. But there is much going on here in Sydney too, so it can't be that hard for me to find a story worth sharing now and then. But really, all I've got for now are a few wee pictures from the Botanic Gardens that I took the other day. So ah...enjoy!

Listen to: St Vincent.

2010-01-11T05:02:00.003-08:00

What a pretty lady this one is.

Marry Me: "an homage to Arrested Development" - St. Vincent, 2009.

country victoria by slr.

2009-12-23T22:06:00.007-08:00

Meredith.

Bendigo.

Violet Town.

Listen to: Jonathan Richman.

2009-12-16T03:27:00.002-08:00

I can't believe I have only just found out about this man...he is a genius.

Sydney Roaming.

2009-12-09T05:15:00.008-08:00

A few pictures of some recent Sydney happenings. Included here are images of A Casual End Mile, The Small Hours, and Kes Band.

Critical Mass, November 2009.

2009-11-27T21:22:00.006-08:00

Listen to: The Middle East.

2009-11-25T18:47:00.004-08:00

For my birthday this year Adam Lewis gave me a copy of The Middle East's EP Recordings of The Middle East, but since I was away yonder, I have only just recently had a chance to listen to it in full. And let me just say "I like, I like, I like!"
So here is their track Blood - a nice one for your Thursday afternoon doze.

Hear more and follow The Middle East at http://www.myspace.com/visitthemiddleeast

Critical Mass, Sydney.

2009-11-23T16:47:00.004-08:00

Critical Mass is the monthly rising of cyclists from all around the world, who gather across 300 different cities to celebrate the genius of their two-wheeled peddlers and make themselves known to those with whom they share the road. This Friday, November 27, Critical Mass in Sydney will be Australia's largest in 2009, as the annual bridge ride halts the flow of motorised traffic with a sea of rather good looking pedal pushers. So whether you ride a racer, fixie, BMX, or mountain-bike-you've-had-since-you-were-12, come and be part of this awesome event. Because more than being any kind of political or social statement, Critical Mass is just a whole bunch of fun!

Critical Mass meets at Hyde Park fountain this Friday, November 27 at 5:30. For more information on Critical Mass Australia visit http://www.criticalmass.org.au/

Above photo credited to Laura Friezer.

moving day.

2009-11-18T01:08:00.006-08:00

So I have moved to Glebe and could not be happier about it!
I am now living with five lovely people in a big terrace house on glebe point road and working 10 minutes walk away at The Egg and Soldier. Here are a few picks of my new suburb and the unpacking process...

Listen to: The National.

2009-11-13T22:41:00.003-08:00

Here is the first of many weekly blog posts intended to share some of my favourite tunes, whatever they may be at the time. And this week's pick is The National.

since being back.

2009-11-04T23:14:00.007-08:00

So, I have been home for two weeks now and I am happy at least that the jacarandas are in bloom, if not for any other reason. I was reading about these pretty trees just the other day and I can tell you a few facts about them: they are, actually, native to South Africa, not Australia. And also, if one of their flowers falls on your head it may be good luck...and I say may because it depends on who you're asking...but if you're asking me I say "yes! let good luck be upon you all your days!"
Yes, last Saturday was Halloween, but it was also time for Riverbeats at Parramatta and what a beautiful evening it was. Here are a few pics of the waterside, encompassed by large spheres of projection and colour that mesmerised us as we blissed out to Decoder Ring.
And the musical goodness kept coming, for on Sunday night was Frigid and a 15 minute drum solo from Laurenz Pike. Here is a wee photo of the talented man in action.And finally, since being back, there was Cooma - a place I have cherished all my life and missed terribly over the past year. But revisiting this week, this is what I found there...

leaving london.

2009-10-27T22:31:00.003-08:00

God knows it's not my favourite city, but when it came to leaving London last week, I felt quite emotional indeed. My final days there were spent catching up with Machteld and Dieneke (quality Dutchies also away from home), playing with Gavin and Steven (some lovely, lovely Englishmen) and exploring the very best parts of the city. I also managed to pick up a few treasures for family and friends, drank much, much tea, and finally learnt how to make the most sugary and morish Irish creation that is "fifteens."
But it is goodbye now to the UK and Europe, and home again for me (I've been back a week infact)...to summer and unemployment.

Autumn.

2009-10-13T13:43:00.005-07:00

A few photos from my last week here in Europe...I can't even tell you how much I am going to miss this side of the world and the people in it.

I'll be back real soon.

Nederland, I miss you already.

2009-10-08T14:41:00.008-07:00

(Second photo credited to Caty Ann Rushing, Alabama).

Hrvatska.

2009-10-07T12:36:00.003-07:00

Oh Italy, how you woo us...

2009-10-02T05:27:00.005-07:00

North of Paris.

2009-09-22T08:10:00.013-07:00

Quite obviously, it has been an incredibly long time since I have written anything on this blog and I cannot really offer an adequate excuse for my tardiness. I can only hope that the few of you who actually read this have not disappeared and might once again give it a wee moment.

Among the most exciting ventures I have had in the past two-or-so months, is of course the arrival one Adam Lewis, whom I joined in Paris on the final day of the Tour de France. Together, we spent the following two weeks in some fantastic cities, met some brilliant people, and saw a lot of great, and generally very good looking, musicians. Meanwhile, we also met up with Anna - a good friend from home who I have travelled with before, and this time in Sweden, Denmark and Norway.
Here are some photos taken during this time, some highlights of which were my 21st in Amsterdam with Adam, Machteld and Luke; Sweden's Way Out West festival held in Gothenburg from August 12 - 15; and the discovery of Ben & Jerry's cheesecake flavoured ice cream:

After Adam and Anna moved on in different directions, I spent a little more time in Norway and then headed to Frankfurt to meet my Muma, who had come over to see me. From there we set off towards Italy and Croatia, where the sun was hot on our backs and the people...oh what characters they were! I will write about these adventures in another blog that will bring us up to the present - to The Hague, where I am crashing at Anna's, with only one month left in Europe.

Viva le tour!

2009-07-29T04:13:00.004-07:00

2009-07-17T01:07:00.002-07:00

I have arrived in Switzerland in the midst of Geneva festival and the city is positively buzzing.

For the past five days I have been enjoying the sunshine in Barcelona with Sir Gavin Higgins, walking the crowded streets and swimming in the Mediterranean (which is incredibly salty by the way...much more so than the Pacific). During our time there, we also became well acquainted with sangria and ice cream (naturally) and saw much impressive architecture. We also got very sunburnt which was not fun at all.

Anyhoo, yes, now I am in Geneva and about to meet up with Liam and Marieke (brother and his girlfriend) to follow le Tour de France. So my next post will probably be from the side of a mountain.

Si Espana

2009-07-10T04:30:00.002-07:00

For the past four days I have been visiting Madrid and slowly but surely picking up snippets of Spanish. It is quite hilarious actually - the Spanish speak so fast and so much that it is incredibly hard to keep up. And yet some how we manage to understand each other which is nice, though I do feel ignorant a fair bit of the time.

I was a little nervous about coming here by myself, but as it turns out it was possibly the best thing I could have done - I have met loads of people and been out with them every night in Spanish style. We have had lots of Spanish food and sangria and loads of cheap Spanish beer, just €1.30 per litre.
I am also stoked to have seen some Goya originals in the Palace and Museo del Prado - they are just so amazing.

Anyhoo, time is running low at this internet cafe so I must scoot...off to Barcelona tomorrow woooooooot!

Goya, Saturn, 1821-1823.

to good company.

2009-07-04T17:49:00.015-07:00

I have had the most fantastic week.

Last Monday I began a five day tour of England's west country, escaping the business of London town for the fresh air of Co. Cornwall. Five days, four nights and several pints later, I have now sampled the area's finest delicacies, climbed some very pretty hills and most especially, met some amazing people - people that I will remember forever.

(Here are a few wee photographs...I also have some videos that I will upload in good time).

DAY ONE - LONDON to CHEDDAR

Reflections at Cheddar Gorge - the gorge was beautiful, though we did leave a little bitter about having been denied our complementary cream tea.

DAY TWO - CHEDDAR to NEWQUAY

Lilly pads at the base of England's tallest waterfall - Canonteign Falls.

DAY THREE - NEWQUAY

The view from our hostel...pretty good really. Also, note the massive wingspan of the seagull in bottom right-hand corner.

DAY FOUR - NEWQUAY to BATH

The coastline at Tintagel.

DAY FIVE - BATH to LONDON

1. Me, slightly concerned about these Donnie Darko-like rabbit-men.
2. The Roman baths.

Chorlton.

2009-06-23T15:12:00.005-07:00

So for the past few days I have been bunking in Chorlton. I am terribly lucky of course, to have been so warmly welcomed by a certain Mark Ward, into his home in this lovely suburb of Manchester, where I was finally able to wash my clothes and sleep in a real bed. As much as I love being on the move, it does feel good to be in a house for a bit. And it has been so good catching up with the British-Australians...I really missed their humour.
Tomorrow I am going to go to Leeds for the day, just to see what the craic is. Then it's back down to London for the weekend and off to Cornwall on Monday!

'The Forge'

2009-06-19T12:53:00.007-07:00

All I know is a door into the dark.
Outside, old axles and iron hoops rusting;
Inside, the hammered anvil's short-pitched ring,
The unpredictable fantail of sparks
Or hiss when the new shoe toughens in the water.
The anvil must be somewhere in the centre,
Horned as a unicorn, at one end square,
Set there immovable: an altar
Where he expands himself in shape and music.
Sometimes leather-aproned, hairs in his nose,
He leans out on the jamb, recalls a clatter,
Of hoofs where traffic is flashing in rows;
Then grunts and goes in, with slam and a flick
To beat real iron out, to work the bellows.

Seamus Heaney - Door into the Dark, 1969.

2009-06-16T11:35:00.002-07:00

Last night I met the most amazing people.
After returning briefly to Ireland in search of the Agnew trace, I went back to Belfast for a night and stayed in a little independent backpacker's called Arnie's. This place was tiny so each person that arrived was welcomed into a small circle of travellers to tell their story. We talked for hours, went out for a drink and talked some more. This morning we parted ways, getting back on the road, somehow better for it all.

Aye pt. II

2009-06-15T05:50:00.023-07:00

My time in Scotland was absolutely brilliant – I spent almost two weeks there, exploring the ins and outs of Edinburgh town and touring the highlands with my good friends Anna and Ashley. In Aye pt. I are photos of the Scottish sun, of cafes and pub crawls, and of the charming old town of Scotland's capital. In this blog, Aye pt. II, I would like to share with you the magic of lochs and glens, of the desolate expanse that is Wallace country.

Aye pt. I

2009-06-14T10:47:00.010-07:00

The old buildings of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh at dusk.

Chocolate soup nom nom nom.

The Royal Mile.

Barbeques and sunglasses...Scotland's in summer.

Dolly the sheep/ Ash & David in the beer garden.

Éire.

2009-06-13T14:04:00.019-07:00

Although it has been quite some time since I left the land of Éire, I would like to share with you some photos of my last days at UCD - of the hidden pathways I discovered, of campus life, and of the surrounding landscape that I miss so much.

Knowth.

2009-05-27T17:01:00.008-07:00

It is hard to know whether we should call this day a success, but on reviewing the photos I think it's fairly safe to say that our efforts paid off. Would you believe this beautiful place is only an hour or so from our home at UCD? Knowth, the name given to this mound-like site, consists of one large tomb, surrounded by seventeen smaller tombs. Each mound was once engraved with carvings and symbols that are still evident today and was built with several small passages running throughout its core, apparently to serve both a functional and ritualistic purpose.
Of course it took us no less than FOUR hours to get there, which admitedly killed some of its charm at the time, but it really is very beautiful. And the bus journey home was certainly worth the day's anguish - we ended up on a german tour bus (wtf?) that had us back in Dublin within the hour...it was like magic.

le thames.

2009-05-23T15:04:00.010-07:00

Dinosaurs and Dresses.

2009-05-22T12:45:00.016-07:00

Bridges and Balloons.

2009-05-21T13:33:00.006-07:00

STUVAC! (remembering Black Books)

2009-05-05T14:01:00.005-07:00

IS THIS
a) productive
OR
b) efficient

...are we, or are we not, a company?

obscura.

2009-05-04T09:55:00.005-07:00

Camera Obscura - St. Andrew's Lane Theatre, Dublin, 30 April 2009.
(photo credited to Machteld de Vos)

London town, where skies are blue.

2009-05-03T15:26:00.016-07:00

After a few days in the lovely Forest of Dean, we made our way to London town where we embraced the city like true tourists, and by 'we' I mean me. First we went to this amazing pub in Notting Hill for some class thai food which we enjoyed amongst many crazed football fanatics. And naturally I quoted continuously from Notting Hill (the film), for example:
SPIKE: there's something wrong with this yoghurt.
WILLIAM: it's not yoghurt it's mayonaise.
I'm sure you can imagine the novelty of it all.
Anyhoo, we spent the next day galavanting around the town, which I must say is quite pretty indeed. The photos below are a selection of our adventures...what you don't see is that Gavin made me open my mouth in almost every picture.

26 and still fresh..

2009-05-03T15:25:00.007-07:00

...to be sure.

The Forest of Dean is nearly in Wales/The Strongest Cider Ever!

2009-05-01T13:15:00.011-07:00

Easter with Anna.

2009-05-01T12:42:00.010-07:00

memories from up north.

2009-04-29T12:08:00.012-07:00

WATCH THIS SPACE...

2009-04-21T14:35:00.003-07:00

Coming soon to Insect Speed:
- memories from up north
- easter with anna
- the forest of dean is nearly in wales/the strongest cider ever!
- 26 and still fresh
- london town, where skies are blue

N.B sorry for the delay - personally, i'm blaming a certain 11,000 words on harold pinter, seamus heaney, and contemporary irish theatre.

Girl Talk (and oh so sweaty!)

2009-04-01T14:26:00.008-08:00

Spring Break - grand, deadly, savage.

2009-03-24T10:05:00.013-08:00

Admittedly, this post does come a wee bit late, but if it helps, I promise lots of photos to make up for my tardiness...

Spring break began with the most random occurrence - an old friend from home who goes by the name of Burkey, wound up on the streets of Dublin, calling me out for a drink...need I say, it was a kind of crazy experience. We took a photo to remember the occasion - it's not entirely flattering (in fact we look totally smashed) but it's the only one I have so it will have to do.

I had hoped to get to get to Tipperary in this first week, but between assignments and work it didn't really happen. Oh yes, I should probably mention that I kind of have a job at the Dublin fruit markets now - I mean, it's not exactly a job, but it is something to bring in a bit of extra cash here and there. Also, the people I work with are awesome and the markets move around which means I am seeing lots of little towns each week. And one of the guys is totally Liam (brother Liam) in the not-so-distant future.

In the second week we ventured across country to beautiful Galway, which I am now in love with and can't wait to go back to. We spent Paddy's day there, drinking by the river side and lying in the sun, while all the boys in Ireland seemed to take on some incredible peeing contest, or ritual, or something? On the following days we visited the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands, where we rode around the coast and I ate the most amazing stew of my life...by the way, guinness in food: genius. Oh, and I should definitely take a minute for the weather - I don't know if we are blessed or just lucky but we had clear, warm days for the whole week. Thanks a mil Ireland.

Anyhoo, following a rediculous night of drinking and high school drinking games, I am now back at uni, but all is grand, deadly, savage.

Glendalough (glen-dah-lock).

2009-02-28T12:26:00.017-08:00

A little more...

2009-02-15T12:58:00.011-08:00

Just some wee pictures of the best playground ever, sweet seaside towns, some sailing boats and ice cream...

I heart Manchester

2009-02-04T12:52:00.009-08:00

Despite the sickness that had consumed me; a somewhat upsetting incident involving one Gavin Higgins and a certain brass band concert; and a slight (huge) delay caused by snowy weather, my weekend in Manchester was positively fantastic!

When I arrived on Friday morning, I was, let me just say, a little worse for wear. But things picked up soon enough - right after I munched down on a load of paracetamol, drank many cups of tea, and was reunited with my long lost husband - Sir Gavin Higgins. Those of you who are blessed to know this man, will be happy to hear that he is looking as smashing as ever - back in fair England - and has not let the incredible cold pervade his jolly spirit. And so he introduced me to the finest parts of the city - namely, the Northern Quarter and Canal St. - which is where all the 'cool' people are and naturally, therefore, where we spent most of our time. A real little gem was 'Pop' - a second hand shop which doubled as a retro cafe, serving amazing (and cheap) breakfasts that could be enjoyed amongst the awesome 1970s decor. Brilliant!

And now on to the concert...
It was not to do with our incredible hangovers that we missed the entire purpose of our visit to Manchester,
but actually because of a simple printing error. You see, the night before was of course a big one - Gav and I met with the lovely Mark Ward, and their friends Steven, Will and Lucy; and headed to Poptastic - an awfully cheesy and therefore amazing bar on Canal St. Here, we downed many Cheeky Vimtos - an alcoholic version of Vimto, a Manchester specialty - and hence, the hangovers. But again - it was not this that allowed us to miss the concert...granted, we were pushed for time and only just made it, but the program said that Gavin's piece would be played in the second half, and so, we thought, all was fine - we would go in during the interval and applaud our man shortly after. But no, the piece had been moved to the to the first half and we had missed it - we were waiting in the bloody hall outside and had point blank missed it! It was a crying shame I tell you.

The rest of the weekend involved one snow storm, one cancelled flight and one long, long night. But thank God for Mark Ward who put me up in the early hours of Tuesday morning, saving me from the cold, cold airport.
I arrived home, finally, at 2am on Wednesday morning, and let me tell you, sleep at this moment felt better than ever.

Under the Town.

2009-01-25T12:04:00.014-08:00

Dublin town and moving in!

2009-01-17T13:57:00.005-08:00

Hello there, fair readers, how I love you so,
I have been in Dublin for a week now and I have forgotten to get my camera out on almost every significant occasion, of which I can assure you there has been many.
To begin with, I got to know the city a little over the first three days before moving to the UCD residences, which was very nice really, especially considering the weather was so pleasant (blue skies and all!). Since then, I have moved further south of the Liffey, and safely into Belgrove Residence, Belfield, with a Canadian exchange student, Christy, and Deepika (Dee), from Singapore. Together we have brought our wrath, promptly, upon the International Exchange Office, who have managed to exclude us (and every other international student) from almost every course. Still, the past few days have been really fun and I have met lots of people from lots of different countries...sadly, there have not been many Irish people around as yet, because classes do not start until Monday. It has been grand going into the city though, and hearing that accent all about - it still makes me swoon.
The campus is very lovely and also very big, and our house is pretty good too, although we have had to do a lot of shopping because there was literally nothing here when we arrived. And so, it has been quite an expensive first week, but I think we will all scrape through.
Anyhoo, I do hope you are all enjoying Sydney Festival, and every other festival that is going on (there are so many of them)...please remember Homebrand on the 25th of January - an event by Trademark Projects, which is Tim Appleby and Me! All the info is here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=56726782088&ref=mf
and you can buy your tickets here: http://www.annandalehotel.com/anh/eventdetails.asp?id=1913
It's bound to be grand!

- M

New York Novelties.

2009-01-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

My final days in New York were jam packed with the many tourist attractions I had missed since I arrived on the 30th. Of course, most of these attractions were in fact food, but worthy nonetheless. Though a wee bit disappointing I must say - for example, the long awaited New York Cheesecake simply did not meet my standards...I mean, the bottom of it was like a sponge cake (I know, a let down right?!) and the top was lacking the hint of lemon I was so greatly looking forward to. Also, the hot dogs - not big, not the size one expects to purchase when in New York, city of the hot dog.
But oh, enough with the complaints about bad American food - it is all part of the experience, and I like it for that much at least. Besides, what they lack in food they make up for in view - on Friday we climbed the Rockefeller Centre to look over New York and gosh, the city really is amazing! From this high and chilly point we could see the entire stretch of Central Park, The Empire State Building, The Time Warner Centre (ie. home of Batman!) and pretty much everything else on every corner of the island. Brilliant!
Then, on Friday night I saw a Broadway Musical for $27 and it was awesome - I went with 'Gypsy,' which had been recommended to me by Paul, and a very good recommendation indeed, because it was exactly what I look for in a musical: super lame humour, a wee bit of nudity, and 'neat' music (the Americans say 'neat' all the time - I have decided to adopt it).

And that pretty much concludes New York. I left on Saturday night, in the snow, after 4 hours delay at JFK airport while our plane was 'de-iced.' But I was upgraded to Business Class! Super leg room!

And now I am in Dublin and it is very lovely indeed. I have a lot to sort out in the next couple of days but then it should be straight on to meeting the Irish at the pub and things!

Meanwhile, add me on skype: meaghanvierboom

Comedy New York, and other things...

2009-01-08T11:53:00.000-08:00

The past couple of days have been quite busy and we have seen many great things.
Bec (a friend from uni) arrived on the fourth and I moved with her and two others to a hostel on Broadway...and my, it is small! Since then, we have been to a comedy show where we saw lots of funny people, including Jack McBrayer from 30 Rock (are you jealous Matt?) and some girl from Saturday Night Live - it was very funny indeed and best of all, it was free!
Also, last night we saw the Late Show with David Letterman, live on Broadway, again for free (Matt, jealous? yes?), and ate lots of New York pizza, which really is quite an experience. Then we went drinking and had a lot of that too - maybe a little too much in fact. Amongst all of this, I was able to catch up with Josh and Sam (Detour Boys) who are in town for a bit and Sam bought 'nachos with trimmings,' which we soon found out was just corn chips and a shite-load of cheese...tip: do not buy nachos in New York! Also, do not buy coffee here - even the best of it is terrible (and I mean terrible in the same way drinking dish water is terrible...it really is very bad).
Tomorrow is my last full day here so I would like to do a little bit of shopping, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, find the best New York Cheesecake and eat it, and hopefully see a show on Broadway...quite a lot yes.

But for now, it's noodle time!

Plane movies, Manhattan, Happy New Year & Paul.

2009-01-01T14:18:00.000-08:00

Since arriving 2 days ago, I have seen quite a bit thus far, and think it is time I wrote some of it down.

A minor detail, yes, but nonetheless, one that simply must be mentioned: the movies in flight were a truly fantastic selection that I could have sworn was hand picked by my Sydney housemate Gavin, or at least, that he would approve of them terribly. Indeed they included Brideshead Revistied, Wall-e, and Mamma-Mia! Fantastic!

Anyhoo, New York is gorgeous and I am in love with it already. It is truly cold though - I am the coldest I have ever been in my life...last night for example, was -20˚C with the wind chill. And that is very cold. Oh, and also yesterday it snowed - the first time I have ever had it snow on me and it was amazing. But just to stress once again...cold.

I have been with quite a few Australians, which has been very nice over New Years and all. For the past couple of days I have been staying with Paul - a living godsend who has been so lovely to let me crash at his place, especially considering I only knew him very briefly before coming here. Also, I have been spending much of my time with Tim Appleby - whom we all know and love, and last night we both met up with Rowan - a lovely Australian guy I met on the plane and who is now my facebook friend. Yay!

New Years was really great - entirely different to what I had expected, but a very good way to spend the night...Tim and I attempted moving towards Times Square, though we were unable to get so close because of road blocks and other various complications. And so we ended up drinking in a pub with the locals, caught some fireworks in Central Park (which, by the way, is even bigger than imaginable), before meeting up with Rowan and some of his friends in the East Village, where we continued drinking with the locals for quite some hours. It was very lovely indeed.

I am finding out about more and more people I know that are in New York or will be before I leave, so there should be plenty of gossip to spread soon. But until then, fare internet, I think it best I cease writing this post - because no one likes to longer post.

But they do like photos......

Times Square 31/12/2008
Alongside Central Park 31/12/08

Outbound (ie. goodbye, i love you).

2008-12-28T08:21:00.000-08:00

I will be leaving tomorrow afternoon, which means you must actually start reading these, because it may be the only way we keep contact...I promise I will try to make it all as interesting as possible to read about.

But for now I should not dwell, rather, simply say that I love you all very much and I will miss you incredibly.

And now, a photo or two to reminisce...

Two weeks and eeeeeeeek!

2008-12-16T07:05:00.000-08:00

My my my, I will be leaving so soon, which, by the way, fills me with equal amounts of dread as it does excitement. It is less than two weeks in fact - one week and five days to be precise, so you see...awfully scary. Anyhoo, in the meantime my aim is to drink and dance as much as possible - if this week can attest, this seems to be going quite well...obviously why I am writing (incoherently) at 2 am. And now also why I must leave to sleep off these dreadful toxins. And why I will be having soup tomorrow.

What a funny time.

2008-11-30T05:42:00.000-08:00

It has taken a while for this post to be written, but for that I am blaming Gavin (not that he has done anything really, but he does make it awfully easy for me).
Anyhoo, the point of it all is, that last weekend, a great bunch of us went to a sweet little home in the Blue Mountains, where we got totally battered for three days, before once again returning to our much loved home - The Golden Grove. Between the spooning and the minor illegal engagements (that put all of the British amongst us in hysterics), we really did have quite a time up there. I also made some quite splendid purchases, that will surely tie me over for the cold months in Europe.

And now, a picture of Matthew and I, taken by Mr Higgins ("Mr Iggins):

Gelato Adventures

2008-11-19T20:47:00.000-08:00

Today my housemate Michael, and I rode to Rozelle for gelato and my my my did I get flushed! Nevertheless, the sign did not lie - it truly was the best gelato in Sydney and the best I have tasted in my life to date...so quite the treat really. Also today I started a list for my travels - it has suddenly dawned on me that I have an awful lot to organise and not so much time to do it in, and somehow making a list fools me into thinking I have achieved something.

I think now I must face the doom of our fridge - there's only so long it can be avoided while the smell that started as only a light odor continues getting stronger and stronger. I assure you, it will not be great fun.

To begin again.

2008-11-18T03:55:00.000-08:00

It would seem I have not been entirely faithful to this blog space, or the idea of blogging in general, but I must begin again in the hope that I may redeem myself to those who are indeed faithful, or have perhaps only just noticed I have not been here since May 11th - when things were at least somewhat different.
At least I am well timed, because I will be leaving for the big smoke awfully soon, and will then travel onwards to Ireland, for six rainy months. From there, who knows? I will venture in any given direction.
And so I must rally bloggers and friends to read this once again (if any of you ever did - I know of only one person that just might have) so that I can tell you my travel tales and dream of home.

ON SET...ON FILM

2008-05-11T06:17:00.001-07:00

prime quotes, direct from the scene:

"oh meg, saying what she sees" - Alex.

"maybe she could read a book?" - Adam.

"yeah, she's been blind for 20 years but now she really needs help getting from here to here" - Josh.

NEW HOODS

2008-05-09T01:23:00.000-07:00

come and trek with me in my hood...you can wear one too.

BEGINNING TODAY...

2008-05-08T05:33:00.000-07:00

look out your window.

get out of bed.

eat frousse, lots of frousse.