Manuscript Replica

i moved to west perth last october.  it seemed like a good idea at the time, but no one told me about the possibility of sock goblin infestation.

it all started on a cold monday morning.  i reached into the drawer and found a largish hole in one of my socks.  at the time, it seemed like normal wear and tear, but as the weeks progressed more socks became damaged.  the drool marks and old cigarette butts laying around the apartment should have said otherwise.

and then socks started to go missing.  party noises in the middle of the night - gruff sounding voices and loud music – protruded from the drawer.

i’ve started finding holes in my underwear – although they don’t enjoy that as much. so there’s a silver lining.  

 

i live in fear…

 

...there's no point trying to change it...

Just you remember that.

The world moves at a million miles an hour, and i'm tryin to keep lists and stay afloat.

For the next post, I will rant about receiving parking tickets in the street that I live in - all because the council hasn't provided me with a residential parking permit - six months after I applied.

does the term "fucking arseholes" have any place here?  I think so.  I will win this battle, and then move onto the important things - like the meaning of life, the universe and everything.

Oh and work seems to have blocked all blog sites...  this is a battle we shan't win.  So looks like I need a home internet connection... and a new laptop.

are you well? I want to hear all about it...

off to fly fish the rocks of the south coast this afternoon.

should I be mercilessly swept away by a "king wave" or taken by a "great white", I would like to personally thank you all for contributing to this little journey called life.

it's amazing how someone can grace your mind, emotions and heart - yet be completely oblivious to it all.

so lay me down. 

In this dream you and I were on two separate lifeboats connected by a single string of red wool.
The ocean was unnaturally rough for a protected bay.  
Peering over the side we observed a sea of haters, ne'er-do-wells, scaremongers and religious types.  
They were shouting hatred and ill tidings.  
Some were lashing out at the lifeboats with axes and their fists.
Others were clambering on top of each other holding scissors, trying to get at the single thread of red wool.
You looked sad and afraid.
I looked at you desperately. 
slowly, both lifeboats sunk into a sea of commuters, with nothing to show but torn sails and a pathetic broken mast...

- Alex's dream somewhere between 2 and four a.m.


Santa Maria

Let me off of this boat
I'm sick of this ride
The world is heading ever southward
And I can't stay in here

And you're lying awake
Away on your side
The feeling comes in waves and burns us
And I don't wanna die

From the slippery hands
To the line of your throat
The fever now consumes us both
In a fire now we will go

In a bowing of heads and a passing of hands
And all we thought they'd understand
Is lost and they won't know
And what have we left
It's all that we've got
There is no 'X' to mark our spot
What's past is done and gone

- the Frames

If you're already wet, who notices when it rains?
- Henry Rollins, Regal Theatre, Subiaco, Monday 14 April 2008

Not knowing anything of relevance about Black Flag, the Henry Rollins Band or the fellow himself, I nevertheless attended his spoken word thing on Monday night.  I'm glad I stayed awake for the entire three hours.  

On the flipside, I had to sit next to a complete arse from the ALP.  Four years of pontificating in his political ivory tower have not been kind to the kid.  

I wonder what happens when a political party loses an election and turfs the junior wannabees out on their wide loads?  I'm guessing that the subsequent disenfranchisement will lead to bouts of depression, self-loathing, alcoholism and eventual withdrawal from the wider community.

perhaps I will deliberately vote for the opposition in the upcoming State election -
just to see what happens to that fat fucker individual...

Leaving, but never far enough
Like a ship caught in the bay
We'll show each other where it hurts
And well make the fuckers pay
And what is it we don't do well enough
That we're constantly afraid?
Ship caught in the bay - the Frames

 

 

...it's alright.  No one was around to witness the conversation, so it didn't really happen.

alex - "so dog, how ar.."
dog - "the name's ludwig."

alex - "ludwig?  that's a strange name for a dog isn't it?"
dog - "what would you expect me to be called?"

alex - "well, I don't know.  Fido perhaps? Bridgette?"
dog - "bridgette?  Who calls their dog Bridgette?"

alex - "Well the film was a bit of a dog.  On a side note, so was the lead actress.  Ba ba boom chish."
dog - "For a comedian you make a great pencil sharpener."

alex - "hmmm.  well ludwig, would you like a rub?"
ludwig - "no.   well, is there anyone looking?"

alex - "no."
ludwig - "ok, but make it quick.  and don't tell anyone."

alex - "i feel used."
ludwig - "well you asked me didn't you?"

like this conversation, where am i going?
please don't respond by saying the dog house.

"We have two hundred couches where you can sleep tight" 

Tibet.
Olympic torches.
rent a crowd on the high ground.
As long as it's popularist it's ok for celebrities to support.
Anger confusion between government and race.
Find Tibet on a map.
ask a stranger to find Tibet on a map.
ask a protester what Tibet has in the way of economy and resources.
ask them about sovereignty and what it means to them.
Prime Minister publicly questions China's aggression ... to school kids.
Hail him as a hero back home... a Public relations hero.
soft as butter.
Meanwhile, rounding up and bloodshed continues unabated...

I'm wide awake... it's morning.

Obviously Mr Finn never contracted herpes. 
Smarmy optimistic bastard.  
Why don't you just let the rest of us wallow in our existences? 

Meanwhile, a "leading Australian psychologist" has coined the term "cewebrity" - to categorise people who post clips of assaults on youtube.

"These people are spiritual anorexics who don't have any meaning or belonging in their lives, and find purpose in this mindless violence." 

congratulations.
you've entered the world of pop-psychology.
leave your degree at the door.

ps - i don't have herpes.

pps - why do i need to make that ps justification?

so ummm.... 

There is something a little disturbing about sitting in your office after exercise and sweating like sprinkler.

...that keeps me from dancing with the one i love"

We live in an age where (the) god(s) are no longer relevant... 
yet we increasingly fear not death.
I find this somewhat disturbing.

let us leave that thought alone.  
how are you? 
walked down any unknown roads recently?

"I’m standing on the stage
Of fear and self-doubt
It’s a hollow play
But they’ll clap anyway"

 

There is something settling about grey skies hovering above and rain falling on a sunburnt city - particularly as you run up and down outdoor steps cursing your lack of current focus and personal fitness.

Is transition the road I will continually wander along?  Never quite settled or content?  Occasionally stopping at local inns or lounge rooms along the way for a drink and conversation?  Sometimes I feel an independent upbringing has affected my ability to properly connect with people.  

In recent times a number of people have commented on my potentially undiagnosed attention deficit disorder?  I usually respond with some mumbliings about needing to keep the mind occupied for fear of my brain working.  

I have also noticed that my coping mechanism for groups of people is self-humiliation. 
It seems to make others happy...

I may have good news about a level six promotion. This was personally unexpected given the potential competition - despite the confident conviction of peers.  Does this mean a need for maturity?  Am I happy being a six? will that enthusiasm last?

Drenched like a rat that forgot to leave the ship...
 

and wondering why you were so critical"

I want to be forgotten
please don't slow me down
I was a train moving too fast
Is it this stage I want?
You talk way too much
I never needed anybody
just don't waste my time
I don't want to change the world
That's not your problem
The end has no end the end has no end
Failing can be quite a breeze

Many changes are happening in the lives of those around me.
There is an edge of seriousness in most spoken words.
It seems that a lot of people are unhappy.

Meanwhile things keep pottering along... 

"It was almost like I had a premonition, an epiphany - I am not religious by any stretch of the imagination - but I do listen to my stomach and that is what it has told me."

Ne'er a truer word said.

I am craving oysters... someone find me an oyster bar.  Stat!

With all the monumental fuck ups I have seemingly made along the way, I do hope the Frames are right...

People all get ready
'Cos we're tearing down the stand
Rebuild what's gone unsteady
And see it through with newer hands
And what has gone between us
Is a lot, is a lot
And who'll be there to clean us
If you're not, if you're not

People all get ready
'Cos we're breaking down again
Rebuild what's gone unsteady
And see it through with wiser hands
And what has gone before us
Is a lot, is a lot
And who'll be there to ignore us
When you're not, when you're not

We have all the time in the world
To get it right, to get it right
We have all the love in the world
To set alight, to set alight

People all get ready
'Cos we're breaking down the band
Rewrite what's gone already
And see it through with angry hands
And what has gone before us
Is a lot, is a lot
And who'll be there to ignore us
When you're not, when you're not

And we have all the time in the world
To get it right, to get it right
And we have all the love in the world
To set alight, to set alight
Just look up, just look up

People all get ready
'Cause we're coming to a stop

 

You know, I'm sure that somewhere in the suburbs a small child sits playing with her lego blocks, completely unaware that her decisions to build and dismantle control the universe's very state of being.

And I for one hope she doesn't grow up...

"Do I smell the revolting stench of self-esteem?"

5am domestic.
neighbours wrestle with their emotions.
when all i need is a dreamless slumber.

cricket season ends today and I for one am glad.  
it has been a long and difficult season.
being made 12th man for the finals (despite opening the bowling the previous week and doing alright) is quite tough.
decisions to be made in the off season.

... would be an awkward event.

Citizens of Australia! 
Your tax dollars and voting ballots have been working particularly hard (as the following Senate Estimates Committee exchange proves)!

Senator Faulkner—I have seen, I believe, some press speculation about this. I think the Prime Minister, in fact, has commented that the Rudd family has restrained their dog, who apparently has the name Abby, from digging up the garden. He has also described that as a big challenge. I am advised that Abby the dog has not caused any damage to the gardens or grounds.

Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS—That is very good to hear.

Senator Faulkner—I knew that you would be pleased to be so informed.

Senator RONALDSON—You are convinced the dog was being honest with you when you made those inquiries?

Senator Faulkner—I certainly would not want to mislead the estimates committee on such a critical issue, but I can assure you that I have a brief in front of me that so records that. I could give you more information about Abby's behaviour, if you would like. Would you like to hear about Abby's brief toilet trips outside, for example?

Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS—Does that mean the animals are kept inside or outside?

Senator Faulkner—I can inform you, Senator Fierravanti-Wells, that Abby is free to go outside, but she generally only goes outside when she is accompanied by a member of the family or staff, apart from brief—

Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS—So they are kept inside. I am sure that any damage that they might do—

Senator Faulkner—Please, let me finish: apart from a brief toilet trip. So there you are.

Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS—So they are indoor pets. I am sure that, if there is any damage that may be done to the Lodge, the Prime Minister and his wife will no doubt pick up the tab for that.

Senator Faulkner—I think that is true. I am also informed, for what it is worth, that the Prime Minister's family's cat, which apparently goes by the name Jasper, is generally an indoor cat.

Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS—A well-behaved moggie. Well, we are very pleased to hear that.

Senator RONALDSON—Just so we are clear, Senator: every time these animals go outside they are accompanied by a staff member? Is that what you are telling us?

Senator Faulkner—No, I do not believe that is right, but apparently, from time to time, as you would appreciate, dogs do go outside for the odd toilet stop, as has been described.

Why would you want to be anywhere else?

 I've met someone that makes me feel seasick - Oh what a skill to have!
And am I losing touch or am I just completely off the track?
To let this twenty something bring you down with his list of fears
We're the fairies from hell and we're all on a death wish 
I hope that no one ever leaves 'cause I don't wanna be alone with me
raise our glass to the ceiling 'cos this could all go so wrong but we're just so happy
It was a chat-up line built not to impress - More a sleazy remark on her whorish dress 
she's my little pipedream fantasy 

 If I had a nine per cent approval rating, I would give up and live overseas.

one in three chance of scoring a permanent level six..

cricket finals this week and i'm likely to be a little edgy this week.

rental inspection - perhaps they could finally fix the stove.

sharemarket investment - don't watch the results fluctuate over the course of a day.

the wombats album is suprisingly good.

can sex and sleep be traded off against each other?

the West Wing is thouroughly entertaining but remarkably shallow.

flying to sydney - it would be nice to time it with april 12 when West coast take on the swans.

new phone with gps...