The Value of Young Children Playing Computer Games (or something...)

The old 1988 DOS computer game Maniac Mansion was a core part of my childhood. It had it all – THE most awesome theme music (played on the old 386 IBM

‘speakers' inside the tower) - think bad reception on a telephone or scratching noises in time to a beat), uber cool teenagers to play out the story with, tentacles with personalities, a hamster to catch (and put in a microwave if you saw fit) and a winding, complicated storyline with highly acclaimed (says Wikipedia) gameplay (I'm inclined to agree). Back then, this was the epitome of coolness.

And it really was ridiculously fun. Recently I got this rather urgent sentimental mindset that I simply had to play this game again, and actually finish it – which I never had before, mainly because there were so many choices and combinations within the game play that even the many hours my brother and I spent playing it weren't enough. I spent ages installing DOS emulators and different versions of the old game on XP, but I couldn't find a full screen version so I gave up. DOSBox should suffice for most other DOS games if you are interested.

Anyway, something else that is funny about this game is that little did I know my 8 year old mind was being integrated into a parody of cheesy B-grade 80's horror films. Looking back as a sophisticated and conversant young adult I realise there were many clues to this. I think it was the purple tentacles, mummies, mad scientists, meteors, and the secret lab that were the tip off. There were also clues that tell you it was made in the late 80's – such as posters on the walls of the funky mad professor's rooms like ‘Disco sucks”, massive sound speakers, and the tentacle going on about how it wants to start a punk rock band. Good times.

Check out the best theme music ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FTgMk-W1M8

I love the 80's. I'm going to rent out some cheesy B-grade horror movies now (starting with Killer Klowns from Outer Space). I have a feeling I'll enjoy parodies of them more though. I watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show with Grace last night, and we couldn't believe how absolutely hilarious this movie is. We are now eternal Tim Curry fans. <3

April 2008 - 'Shrooms

I went bushwalking at Lamington National Park. It was beautiful and I took photos of mushrooms.

Mushroomy goodness.

May 2008

When I move into a place that allows pets and I can well and truly take care of one in regards to spending enough time with it, it living in the city yet not hating it's life because it still gets walked enough and has enough space etc, then I am getting one of these. Holy effing crap, this is literally just too cute. I have to get myself together.

June 2008

Winter. It is cold. But I'm enjoying it, despite the fact that whenever I get out of bed in the morning I uncontrollably shiver and my teeth almost shatter from chattering so hard. I don't so much like the actual cold part of Winter, but I like everything that comes with it - warming my hands on hot, steaming cups of herbal tea in the morning. Hot curry. The fresh, crisp air that Winter rain brings. Winter rain in general. Cuddling up in a bed full of pillows and blankets. Uni holidays. Ridiculously hot showers that make my skin go red. Heaters. Reading books in bed while it's freezing cold outside. Jogging and breathing in fresh chilly air. It's more than just appreciating warmth, a basic human need for survival. There's something about it. I love Winter.

June 2008

If James Bond gets one of these, why shouldn't I?

March 2008

This is something I did in a rush for an assignment. It is a summary describing the last hour of my day before falling asleep.

It is around an hour until my consciousness in this world will be overcome with sleep and rest, but for the moment I am wide awake and bursting with life. I am on the way back to my house, rollerblading with two of my friends in the crisp dark night. It is a fun activity to end the day and energy courses through me. I come to a foreboding downhill part of the footpath and decide to continue down it with speed, despite it looking steep and uneven. I begin to blade down it and within seconds I am out of control, coasting forwards with continuing acceleration. I have enough control to keep my legs straight and stay upright but I know I cannot stop and there is a road at the bottom of the hill. The night air pierces my skin and existence at this moment is exhilarating, and even though my thoughts jump to concern I am thrilled as I propel faster and faster towards roads. I quickly look from side to side ahead and see a grassy raised area on the left, just before the footpath and the road at the bottom. I swerve towards this as my wheels screech along the cement and I dive, colliding with the ground on my side and roll over and over on the soft grass. I am not injured at all, and enjoy the excitement and adrenaline that still lingers. After this I return home and say goodbye to my friends.

Once I have returned to my house I go to the bathroom, washing my face with cool, soothing cleanser. It has a sweet aroma that I associate with a confusing mix between ending the day and starting the day… For the moment though it feels as if I am washing that particular day away, the good and the bad. I am fresh, clean and prepared for what is to come tomorrow. My face is freezing after being splashed with icy, brutal shards of water, and then experiences a direct contrast as I sink my face into a soft dry towel.

Next, I turn off my computer. In life I live by my mobile phone, messenger programs on the computer and am constantly around people for my job, uni and at home. Sliding my door shut and shutting down my computer is a metaphor for ending contact with the world... I am finally on my own.

Within the last hour in my day a change occurs in my perception. I begin to listen to music - something which makes my last hour before falling asleep to the world worth any pain felt in life. The music could be anything, but is always something to suit my particular thoughts at the end of the day. The rhythmic, soothing tunes seem as if they are penetrating my consciousness and flowing directly to the tempo of my brain waves. The day has been busy – my brain has been occupied constantly with hectic activity. For the moment however it is hungrily soaking up the pleasurable soundwaves as if I will never hear this song again. No matter how late it is I will always listen to music before I go to sleep. It is an enjoyable, calming ritual that my mind knows well – comes to expect – every night.

Fatigue slowly creeps up on me so I crawl into bed. My eyes are closed. With the music off, the only sounds to hear are small and insignificant – the motor of a car driving past, someone talking at the end of the street, the faint barking of a dog – these are soon tuned out and I am left with only my thoughts once more. They begin to be sharp and ever-changing again, flowing round and round. The more I lie there with my eyes closed in the pitch black, curled up in soft blankets, the more sleep draws closer to me. I daydream and slip into a hazy existence, a fine line between sleep and awake. I have thoughts that wonder if I have fallen asleep, which causes me to realise I could not be thinking this if I was . I try to rest my mind again but trying to sleep is like going through a revolving door which goes around and around. It is always hard for me to slow my mind no matter how tired I am. Eventually however, my natural functions as a human being take over and I am slowly drifting away from conscious thought. Then it all ends so suddenly that I don't even realise it…. and I am gone until morning.

Wish the content was more interesting. It's not like I can include much in a university assignment.

February 2008

My Favourite Songs

This list could go on forever, and it is constantly growing. I'm going to try to explain why some of these songs are my favourites. It seems like an impossible task - how can you convey the way a song makes you feel? It's such a complex thing – to describe you're unique, personal response that only you can truly understand. I'll do my best. Oh, also - this list is by no means in any kind of order.

Infected Mushroom – Converting Vegetarians

This song catches you because of it's uniqueness. It is tribal, techno, trippy, a little hip hop-esque....Very layered, with different sounds and beats that collate perfectly. It definitely isn't repetitive or boring, which genres of techno always get accused of being – it changes up a lot and with volume, it WILL bounce off your walls. Listen to it!

The Doors – Wintertime love

This song is poetry. Listen to the lyrics. Yes, it is another love song, but it is not corny or generic - MIND BOGGLE! The tune is beautiful and Jim Morrison conveys so much emotion in this gorgeous song. It truly makes me feel like I am walking down a snowy Winter's lane.

Jeff Buckley – Lover, You Should Have Come Over

This is probably one of the most heart-wrenching songs you could ever listen to. It is so emotional, mainly because of Jeff Buckley's unforgettable, lingering voice. I am a huge fan of the lyrics also. You can tell that he composed the song from start to finish from his heart.

The Velvet Underground – Venus in Furs

The chords appear to be simple and there is no guitar solo or anything - but this song is smooth, soothing and the raw guitar and lyrics come together perfectly. Very psychedelic and addictive.

Nightwish – The Poet and the Pendulum

This song is like a rich, compelling fantasy story that engulfs you from start to finish. It is spellbinding, yet is also a very long song – it takes a LOT of talent and imagination to make a fantastic 13 minute song. One of the reasons this song keeps my attention is that it changes up pace and tempo so often that it is kind of like 4 or 5 songs in one. Instead of making 5 repetitive songs – the band made one masterpiece. All the separate pieces flow after one another so perfectly like a long, emotional ride. Your feelings will literally change along with the song. Lastly – the lyrics are imaginative and unique, and the ending is so memorable.

Nightwish – Walking in the Air

This song is a cover. I have not heard the original. What makes it so good is the haunting vocals of the Nightwish singer, and the lovely tune of the song in general. This song makes me think of flying through a dark, snowy Winter's night.

Massive Attack – Protection

This song is pure bliss. As the songs starts up with that soft comforting bass it will make you feel as if your whole body and senses are being coated in warm, soft, velvet. I love the way Massive Attack uses tempo in their songs. It's just such a tender, loving song.

Portishead – Roads

This is a simple, slow song that somehow manages to be unforgettable in the way it is put together. The vocals are smooth yet piercing and raw. The real emotion in this lovely song will reach far inside your mind.

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June 2008

Stella watches Jimmy Carr stand-up, laughs uncontrollably for hours.

November 2007

h:f

As I have become more interested in how aesthetics are put together, I've found myself coming to love high fashion photography/ design. I love everything about it - the randomness, elegance, crazy glamour, beauty - such an extreme form of creativity . The style of the photography and look of the model widely varies, from generic princess turned overlord to dreamy-like scary satanic alien , etc etc and so on.

That being said, I’ve never been interested in buying designer labels or brand names... I would find no thrill in wearing overpriced designer-anything. From a young age we are assaulted with companies trying to make us aspire to a sexy, sleek image by wearing certain attire. This is obviously a creation fuelled by money,and it really is a simple equation. One clever concept brainstormed in a high rise building in the heart of Milan + a few multi millionaire designer companies + snazzy visuals x advertising, signs and the media = STRAIGHT to our brain. I've always been good at maths.

Anyway, despite this assault on my innocent, virginal little consciousness, labels mean nothing to me. In high school Billabong, Roxy, etc was all popular. The worst was that god awful monkey face that was plastered on all kind's of clothing. Me and my friends abhorred this graphic creation. God I hated that monkey. I can't for the life of me remember the name though. Anyway lots of people would wear this kind of brand attire. I do agree that sometimes expensive labels can produce genuinely unique, well-made clothing and products. And sometimes in a town where the options are limited, things like schoolbags really could have been better if they were brand-named.

That being said, it used to be ridiculous - You would get someone wearing a plain blue t-shirt or singlet, with the tiny word “Roxy” somewhere on it. If you wanted a nice plain singlet, why not pay 10 dollars for the exact same one at a Target or Best & Less sale, MORON....just as long as it's not anything that is stupidly overpriced, or that screams “BILLABONG OMFG!" at innocent bypassers. Now, that isn’t to say that I dislike buying or wearing nice clothes. I love beautiful, glamorous, pretty, interesting, unusual, home-made, bought clothes.. clothes of all types, and I am not ashamed to admit it. I think that if you have a creative mind you will strive to surround yourself with creative, unusual, interesting and beautiful things - this logically includes clothing. I think minds crave exciting visual stimulus. If I or other people are wearing something that sates this desire, then awesome. Like purple plants. I was walking to the bus stop today when my eyeballs were assaulted with bright, radiating purpleness, growing right next to me in a garden. The richness of this purple was brutal, yet beautiful. Yes, it was really that extreme. I have no idea what they were, I have never seen so much purple in nature before (if you count a plant in the front of a building in the city nature) in my entire life.

Anyway. Last year for one of my uni subjects I had to do an assignment on an artist or designer of my choice. I started looking into clothing design, partially because I love clothes and partially because I wanted to do something different to everyone else (Andy Warhol ZOMG!!! = no.) I almost chose Vivienne Westwood as my designer to report on, she seemed interesting and atypical, but as always, my assignment topic choice came down to how many references I could find in UQ and griffith library's asap, so I ended up choosing Chanel.

I had a great time doing this assignment. By being forced (at gunpoint) to reference (that is, if you reference properly -everyone finds ways around this, but I wont go into that), they also force you to do a HELL of a lot of background research and reading from different sources, and while this was a pain in my side, it enabled me to learn a lot more.

It turned out that Chanel was a lot more than just a vain entrepreneur who designed some clothing and stuck expensive price tags on them. First of all, she was born an illegitimate child, and on her birth certificate, her name was mispelt “Chasnel”. That’s pretty hilarious. But she went on to accomplish some historical achievements despite the rough start. She is actually known for revolutionizing women’s clothing, and basically had her mind set on creating attire for women that was functional, practical, comfortable and still looked good. Back then, this was phenomenal for a female designer. She started associating notions of feminism in her clothing designs amongst a vast sea of male designers who stuck women in choke-worthy corsets.

She also was one of the original creators of the little black dress, and I LOVE black dresses. Well actually, I love black anything. But still.

Anyway, I probably won’t be buying anything by any designer, but I am less harsh when it comes to designers than I used to. There is a lot more behind a brand name than most people realise and it's amazing how far back the history exists for every brand name, and even though nowadays the labels are basically all money driven, most of the old ones like YSL, Chanel, Vivienne Westwood etc, at least used to be revolutionary. I will also continue to be inspired by couture photography and advertisements - without actually contributing to the sales that are induced from the already massively outrageous consumer consumption by the wealthy and bored.

Chanel ads are niiiiiiiiiiice. Look at all the black sleekness. I want the haircut more than the bag though.