Broken Social Scene

Jill and I will try and go to a Broken Social Scene concert tonight. We missed the strangely excellent Hold Steady last night (at least they have one strangely excellent song that I've heard). And in April, there's a Mountain Goats concert. They's good too! But that's about it.... that's the only good music..... except..... SNOOP!! So, if we get jobs and start saving now, we should make the first down payment on a couple of tickets that will literally change our lives. What do you think about that???

Meanwhile, for those interested, a word about my school (La Trobe): the library has only one floor of books. Surprised? You're probably thinking one of two things: it's a very small library.... or a very large floor. [you'd be wrong, they're both midsized.]

Just thought I'd lay that on you straight. Peace my brothers and sisters.

3000 wasted visits

Howdy all. Just thought I'd let everyone know that our little co-venture has reached a serious milestone. 3000 + hits. wow. We have done so little work in the last three months. Excellent. And that's right, it hasn't quite been 3 months, and already, we're averaging over 1000 visits a month. Ergo, 33.3 + visits a day (23 of which are me).

So, I'd put us in the league of this guy here. or These guys here. Sweet.
For anyone interested, you can check at the bottom of the page to see the count.

Some things: Please notice to your right, the shiny, new Calvin & Hobbes searcher... it is amazing, if you haven't looked yet. I personally recommend searching "Canada" or "Boogers."

Also, I sort of 'privatized' the site. There were a few anonymous readers, and although they can still get here, I just thought that it was a little creepy (a little bit), so I un-published the website. Sorry for those who anticipated delicious fame and glory from the intranet!

Peace, brothers & sisters!

I'll have my own show on HGTV yet.

This was a very manly weekend: I bought a cordless drill. Much grunting and drilling ensued.

The reason: our futon couch had a... defective... piece of wood, and needed fixing. More specifically, some of the wood is supported by further wood underneath (see: middle right of image), some not (see: rest of image). Each individual slat itself is not very strong, but by sharing the load between a few, they do just fine. Unless of course you kneel on just a single one. It will break. So, I took the opportunity to finally buy an electricity-requiring tool, and fix it myself. Hooray!



(Aside: I am a pro with tools, bolt sizes, etc, when at school [experimental physics requires a non-zero amount of working in the machine shop]. When at Canadian Tire, you would swear I had never heard of a bolt or drill bit before in my life. I ended up getting bolts that were quite obviously too long, and I'm sure the employee who gave me a hand getting the right drill bits thought I was going to ruin whatever it was that required "fixing" at my house. Whatever, it worked out in the end!)

Greetings from the capital of stencil graffiti!

Hello everybody!!!! Long time since you heard from us right? Well, here it is....

We arrived in Melbourne two weeks and one day ago. It was a nice touchdown, little turbulance, and when we got off the plane, we went and got our bags with a minimun of stress and disorder. So there we were, bags in hand, including my box o' books, and we hailed a cab--then off we were: entering the capital of stencil graffiti!


We got to our hostel, not only didn't tip the cabbie on our 40 dollar ride, but got the wrong change back (a 20 instead of a 10) so we were 10 bucks ahead. A very good omen for our move. We checked in, then immediately went about foolhardily looking for an apartment (since it was saturday, and saturdays and wednesdays are apartment hunting days). It took us two weeks to learn from our mistakes, but finally after lots of movies, we found a spot. Not only was it the (second) best place we saw, but it was also the (second) cheapest and in the best location!!!! (second best location.) So we moved in without light or hot water, and everything was cool.... Then another day without light or hot water, and I was forced to get angry with our hookup company--but it turned out we were meant to flip the breakers so that was fine. It then turned out we had.....


CUCARACHAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!



WHICH is not so good. Anyway, we're trying to deal with that situation. We also don't have a fridge.


Right now we're focusing on trying to get jobs so we can afford this extremely expensive city. A carton of milk here costs $30 dollars, and a sandwich is $65. (American). Our respective classes have not started yet, Jill will be going to class tomorrow evening, and I'll just sort of start tomorrow and hang out in my office (fuck yeah) as much as I like. Sweet... The area of town we're in is FITZROY, which I recommend you all check out, as it will whet your appetite to come visit us. It's pretty darn cool place, lots to do, but we're taking it pretty slow right now mainly for money reasons. We also haven't made any friends... Don't come visit till we get some friends!

A big thing here is cafes, which require you to order coffee, which in turn is a source of anxiety if you are used to brewed coffee. Here, they drink the espresso and espresso derivitives. So, there is no "regular coffee", but rather things like flat whites, long blacks, etc. Nor refills. But chilling at cafes is pretty sweet all the same, and there's lots of green tea for the bitches... and jill. That's enough for now, we pretty much have been doing touristy things like go to museums, the beach, various historically significant places, and worrying about school, apartments, money and bugs. By the way, it's a very pretty city renowed for its ironwork, victorian buildings and stencil graffiti. It's also the birthplace of a great artist named Sidney Nolan who's place of work we will hopefully see today. In fact, there are many great Australian artists and of course authors who the more erudite among you might enjoy checking out. All you other people.... welll.........

Ciao!

Tom AND Jill

4:56pm

So I've been back at the 9-5 gig since Monday, mid-way through a two week contract at Pope's doing research and development with Laura for the same Creepy-Canada-esque show we did last year.

Only this season, we get to do more historical episodes - more lore than legend. So I've been researching such enthralling subjects as: mummers, the Cape Breton mines, superstitions of logging, women pirates.

Yes, it's a glamorous life here in show business.

In other exciting news, I found out today that I won a scriptwriting competition that I entered last month. It's a cool $250, which will go directly into actually making the film in a month from now.

How do you guys think I should spend it?

$250
= 1/3 of the equipment insurance
= fancy craft services snacks like chocolate covered pretzels and Fresca
= one hour of Joel Hyne's acting time, should he choose to take the part
= enough cocaine to get me through the two day shoot....JUST KIDDING! (I only do smack.)

I've got all the parts cast except for Fred (hence Joel Hynes reading the script and intimidating the hell out of me), and most of the crew. It's all very exciting and terrifying, and I just hope it doesn't all come crashing down at my feet. That's where the cocaine would come in I guess...

adios amoebas,

j.

How's Everyone Doing Tonight?

Just curious.




(here's a picture.)

Happy day after your birthday, Jacob!

Happy Birthday Jacob! My gift to you is this lead on a job that seems absolutely perfect for you!

Finger Folly

Ten days ago, I had an experience at school (at 3:15pm) that would make you shudder and possibly vomit! I jammed my finger in a pushbar of a door and instead of stopping to push the bar back open to remove it, I reacted quickly (and kept moving out the door) and pulled it out through the momentum of my walking...that's right, PULLED IT OUT.

May I just say...

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Ugh. So, I ripped off several layers of skin from the bottom of my nail to my first knuckle (yeah, that's right...and when we went back to the door, we FOUND it *barf*), cut a deep gash on the other side of that knuckle, AND cut a deep gash on the OTHER side of my finger, where you get your fingerprints from. How lovely.

It bled a shitload too. Luckily, it was after dismissal and so the kids weren't around. The Grade 7 teachers bandaged me up real nice, once I stopped crying. After that, another teacher drove me home but I decided to get a doctor to check it out, who said it had been bandaged very well. He re-wrapped it and gave me a tetanus shot, as it's been 11 years since my last one.

What's that you say? You want to see it? Here are some pics taken the next day, after I'd soaked the bandage off (don't you hate it when bandages stick to wounds? *barf again*)




Anyways, it's slowly healing, some better than others, and the numbness of the pad one is slowly disappearing but typing is difficult and so I end it here!

The moral of the story: Watch where you put your fingers!

eating vegemite sandwiches?

[hmmm, where are we at?]

Has anyone heard from Jill and Coco Bean 123: Crisbie? or are they ______ (see above).

More than meets the eye?

Check this out.

Possibly the most amazing thing I've ever seen

Fluff post number infinity.

I'm all style and no substance these days, but I think this is a pretty excellent advertisement either way. Go for the highest quality you can, its cool.

http://www.bravia-advert.com/

So, anyone got a few grand to buy a fancy TV?

Chuck Norris, American Heartthrob

So I know that I've been on blog hiatus for awhile, and I apologize. Who knew that living at home and getting goverment cheques by mail would turn you into a recluse? It's 2:15pm an I've been pyjama clad all day. Rock on!

You'd think that being at my computer all day would facilitate blogging, not hinder it. But the truth is, I haven't been motivated to do much beyond writing and checking my email every four minutes.

But that's all changing today, with this, my update/Chuck Norris Post.

First, the update:

1. Yes I'm on EI. So what! You wanna fight about it?

2. I'm shooting my next short at the beginning of April. Still untitled, unfortunately. Auditions
are on Saturday, and I've got 35 people coming out for them - including Luke's HOT SISTER!!

3. I'm also up to my eyeballs in grant applications, which seem to be demanding everything but my first born child - in triplicate.

4. Did I mention I'm still in my pyjamas?

5. For those of you who haven't been introduced, please meet Pearly and Atticus, my two finches that I got from the boy for Christmas.


Atticus (aka 'Fatticus') is the grey and orange one. They are a riot and the only grievances they cause me are the enormous amount of birdshit they emit, and the resentful, guttural meows that come from my cats on the other side of my closed door.

Sorry kitties, not for you.

So yes, that's pretty much my life right now. I will keep you all posted on the progress of the film, and perhaps even send out a mass call for title suggestions.

And now! What I'm sure drew you to this email: Chuck Norris. I don't know how many of you got this email forwarded to you, but in case you didn't - and, really because it's worth reading again - go here for extreme, roundhouse kick to the head humour.

That's it for now. Safe journeys to those of us who are travelling this week. And, as the snow blusters past my window can i just say, "screw you, i wish i was in australia or houston. bite me."

j.

The one variable they forgot was... love.

Hil-arious.

Hey you pachucos!!!!

THIS IS A POST FROM TOM!!!!!
yessiree, this is our second-to-last day in the wonderful town of houston.
this is a secret message.
so, this is it... no more luke and nina, no more jambalaya/hot sauce/barbeque, nuthin but shitty ol' australie. (for people, like laura, who don't YET know, jill and i have both decided to emigrate to the grand land of the south to pursue higher education. in what?!?! in "aus. lit." and "gis".) granted, i don't have much to say, but at least i'm not raging like this guy (pictured left).

anyway, just thought I'd like to share a few thoughts and tender feelings with you, my close friends. first, the movie bubble was pretty sweet. second, you are all invited to stay with us, but NOT at the SAME time. we like to manage our friends--laura and jacob staying together at the same time? fine. cory and phil? no. how about... luke and hinchey? or matthew and jordan? no. here's a shot in the dark: jacob, matthew and cory? sure. but luke, jacob and matthew? definately not. and any combination including phil, other than phil and sue, or sue and hinchey (well, that doesn't include phil, but anyway), i don't think will work. but then, strangely, cory, luke, hinchey, laura and jordan DOES work. so that's that. janes is always welcome in any company. moving on....

number three:

This guy to our left is an axolotl, not to be confused with ye ol' water dog. the water dog was viewed first hand by luke, jill and me (nina was out of the area) in san marcos, and was quite disturbing to see. i won't go into details, but just think about seeing this thing (to our left) in a normal aquarium--it was pretty sweet/freaky. anyway, these guys--phil, heads up--have an interesting genetic thing where they can regenerate limbs. they are in fact still in a larval stage, which is why they look so disgusting--that's just how they work. HOWEVER, if you introduce large amounts of.... (i won't tell you WHICH element in case you do it, but you can look it up on the internet), they WILL indeed go to a mature state and look like the average salamander. so... freaky.

Peace homies, keep it real. i will communicate further from the land of the south.

Tim's band meets world.

Our mutual friend TB of HR fame (see endorsements) has recently come into a bit o' national exposure. There's a small article here, that links to the CBC Radio 3 podcast which broadcasted Rosetta all over the world alongside such reveared acts as DESTROYER. Go Rosetta Go!
It's cool just to hear it on the radio. To find it, click podcast on the cbc site, and the song comes with like 35 minutes left in the show. Right after a 10 minute Destroyer song. Sweet! Good Job, TB!

Chinese New Year in Austin

Happy belated chinese new year. Here is a picture of Tom with a dragon (also known as a lion) on his head. It was exciting!

In other news, Tom and I are going to Melbourne on Thursday!! I hope everyone is making plans to come visit!

CITY AND COLOUR

Hey guys! long time, no post. So I dont know if you guys have heard (or care) but the singer(not screamer) from Alexisonfire has put out a solo cd. He's dubbed himself City and Colour. You should check him out. His name is Dallas Green and he's the cutest little emo kid since Chris Carrabba, and he's CANADIAN! Weehooo. Here's his myspace http://www.myspace.com/dallasgreen. Check it out, and if Save Your Scissors doesn't well you up a little and get you thinking then you ain't got no heart.
xo L.

Say My Name, Bitch!

So, not sure if Janesey has given this much thought, but as a new student-teacher intern, there's some reasonable concern that students are clever enough to access a blog with your personal info on it. To be honest, I couldn't give a shit, because I think, you know, why 'dumb it down' for the kids, I am how I am. But as for dealing with employers and for potential problems with kids going somewhere you're not interested, I'm gonna take some minimum precautions.

So, I need a new name.

Suggestions?