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Sep. 17th, 2007 @ 05:48 am Imperatives and Inspiration
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The Hollowed Rock
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts
"Why do we perpetuate the antithesis of what we want to create?"

These last 2 weeks I've been enjoying the "Ecovillages and Sustainable Settlements" course again with a great new group of people. It's left me with a renewed sense of imperative to make big changes, runaway inspiration at the vastness of possibility for a better of doing things, and firm confidence that I can navigate the myopic legislation that nearly makes living sustainable lives illegal.

I have lots of plans that I hope can help the people in my life, but one in particular will need a little help back. One of my goals is to start teaching permaculture, and soon, but it's a lot easier said than done. I've signed up for the 8 day intensive "Trainer and Assessor" course next week, which should give me a better idea of where I need to go from there, but at some point I need to develop my own "Permaculture Design Course" - the basic, introductory level permie training. My proposal is this, to everyone: a free PDC in exchange for helping out with feedback and development. I've already got one keen bean I've never met before bursting with anticipation. Anyone interested? I'll likely end up doing it once back in Sydney, but (and I'll need to check with my teacher first) there's also the option of a working (and of course playing) holiday in the lush setting of northern NSW.....
Aug. 20th, 2007 @ 05:16 am Snaphots of a saner world
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Margrit Kennedy's book
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts
Nimbin has just been enjoying a few days of much needed rain and I'm reminded of the saying "Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet". I'm veritably thriving up here people! It's easy enough to find the bad points of this town (or anywhere for that matter), but it's good points by far outshade them. Here it's a matter of course to run into a gaggle of permies in the supermarket, to have a weekly produce market, your choice of artists to muralise your concrete rainwater tank with a 'michelangelo-eat-your-heart-out' platypus, community members that host public film nights on social issues and change. The last point refers to the film we saw in town at Jingles' place a few days ago on the control structures in American society. The 'Zeitgeist Movie' looks at religion, political propaganda and an amazingly dodgy monetary system. I'd heard much of it before, but if you're up for an interesting pre-history of Abrahamic religions, or a bit of September 11 conspiracy theory, or a look at blatant institutional wage slavery go to www.zeitgeistmovie.com

Following the movie I came across the tangible copy of a very provocative book I've been reading online (at http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~roehrigw/kennedy/english/ ). If you've ever had the sense that there's something inherently wrong with the way our monetary system works, but haven't been able to put your finger on it or see an alternative - have a read. It takes a good look at the oft touted but rarely questioned assumptions on economic growth. Much of it is based on the work of theoretical economist Silvio Gesell admired by the likes of Einstein and Keynes. It discusses the consequences of four main misconceptions - that there is only one type of growth, that we pay interest only if we borrow money, that we are all equally affected by interest, and that inflation is an integral part of free market economies. Although it acknowledges that the alternative system it proposes is not a silver bullet for the worlds problems, it's definitely an integral part of the solution pie :) That's enough ranting; just give the first chapter a try - you'll be hooked.

In other news - I have a budget! I am finally a follower of the envelope system - the money left over after course and rent costs now goes into an envelope labeled with either a bright red 'food', 'spending' or 'saving'. Anything leftover from the first two goes into 'saving' at the end of the fortnight. Couldn't be simpler. And I even made the envelopes myself, all craftsman like! Such pride I am filled with right now at this simple but long deferred setup. Another good habit I've just gotten into is a forced diversification of my library haul - I'm branching out from the fiction section into the previously unacknowledged economics section, social sciences, biographies and more. I'm loving the plan so far.

Alright that's enough for now - rant over :)
Aug. 12th, 2007 @ 05:46 pm Birthday Lil and Non-Birthday Mon
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Back to school in Nimbin. Everything has been frost fried by a freak mega frost a couple of weeks ago, but otherwise it’s all happening. I’m in a bright and shiny place right now (metaphorically speaking, not in an aluminium lined UFO shelter) having just finished an awesome book I brought with me which has greatly furthered my attempts at self permaculturisation. It’s given my GST plan (Getting Shit Together) the guts and foundation to do just that. Now I’ve got this amazing framework tying everything together I feel like there’s finally some consciously applied design and organization to my life.

I got to see some of my peeps before I left because Lil was kind enough to have been born a few days before I planned to leave for school 22 years later. While there are legions of amigos I didn't get to see again before I left, I was lucky enough to see Lil, Mahalia, and Mon and experience the treat of a Lil-planned feast.

Although I’m missing all my friends, my family, my dog, my piano lessons and my recently discovered gymnastics class of wondrousness – I’m loving the opportunity to make great inroads into all the important stuff I’ve been meaning to get around to but never seemed to make much progress on. I’ve already made a move on my diploma demands, and I’ve just taken the first steps to procuring some paid design work as part of a bigger plan to deal with the ol’ money matters. And in terms of health I would say I am both alive and kicking – I’ve gotten myself into good habits with walking and eating healthy and tasty goodness. Yesterday’s porridge combo was paw paw (with the seeds cos they’re a little bit of peppery scrumptious) and honey, today’s was with grapefruit, and valencia and blood orange juices, and tomorrow will be apple, cinnamon and nutmeg. I think I may have unnaturally strong feelings about porridge, but it’s healthy, it’s quick, and IT’S DELICIOUS!

I’m planning on being here till the end of October – which gives me 6 weeks or so to free range before the teacher training course and the mycology course following on it’s heels. I’m all eagered up for these two because, well, there’s the dream of becoming a permaculture teacher, and who doesn’t love mushrooms? Meanwhile I’ve got promises of visitation from Nicky and Paul who have been unseen for longtime now. I’m looking forward to an eventful few months.
Jun. 17th, 2007 @ 08:46 am Buddhist in The Domain
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mr lama
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts
Yesterday I went to see the Dalai Lama in the Domain. It was surprising to turn around at the end of it and see a flood of people, because it was easy to forget they were there - I felt like one of a privileged few. The guy is an impressive dude - choc full of the spiritual wisdom but light on the dogma - as his presenter rightly noted, he walks his talk. And he's got a good sense of humour - I can't think of any other spiritual leaders who've got a go-go dancing impression. The theme of the talk was on the importance of compassion, and not just trying to feel it, but taking it seriously and acting it. The thing I love most about this guy is that he never tries to push Buddhism, but reasoning, awareness, and common sense, and as such his message spans cultures and beliefs. The day left me with much to ponder.

Although it's not in the same league, today's big buzz was discovering some awesome green roofing materials!

It's a permie geek thing.
May. 6th, 2007 @ 05:24 am Kodak Moment
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Kodak Moment
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
So much to recount. I'm going to copy Clio's nice point format for this one or I'll get into long rambley storytelling.

1. The photo here posted just goes to show how easy miss Neph is to surprise. All you have to do is turn up in another city inside the house she's visiting and jump out at her from behind a door.

2. In a very impromptu move I hit Melbs a couple of weeks back to see both Clio and the visiting Neph concurrently. Whilst I'm now seriously broke, it was worth it - I got to hang with two of the bestest people in the world, get some digitized memorable moments (see point 1), and an awesome second hand folding bike. Got in a little boogie, some gymnastics and parkour with Clio, some movie watching with all of us snuggling in bed - even a big walk through the botanic gardens.

3. I did a backflip all by myself! I was feeling a little lacklustre at gymnastics so I just kinda threw myself back without thinking about it and realised that noone had been holding me. The buzz lasted for several days :) I crashed at Lil's that night and stayed up reading the NeverEnding Story. The world has been remagicated for me.

4. Went to a muy fun capoeira class in Pyrmont. Very educational, and every one with the friendliness. Afterwards I scootered all the way to Reg's house in Redfern in 25 minutes! To hell with you buses! It's all leg power and wheels from now on.

5. Finally got to catch up with Reg after weeks of mutually inconvenient scheduling :) I miss our mudfights.

6. Started organising all my co-op research into a book so it doesn't all seem so overwhelming. It feels good to be a bit more proactive here - going through legislation and paperwork galore has been frustrating and headaching to say the least, and I don't feel like I've been making a lot of progress.

7. Had a fun filled day today - swimming and sandcastling at Coogee beach with Mahalia before we hit the Opera House to watch Lil appear on screen in 'Destiny in Alice' - a mockumentary (?) about the mecca for girls' girls, Alice Springs. I had to take the ice block Lil bought me and run though - I raced to town hall to meet up with the Syd parkour group. I missed them, but followed a large pedestrian mass comprised of primarily teen boys in exercisey clothes heading towards Hyde Park. Suspicions paid off and I had nearly 3 hours of parkourish fun: running up walls, vaulting over obstacles, dropping from height practise etc etc.


Well that's all for now kidlets, I'm going to listen to my aching bones and hit the hay.
Apr. 13th, 2007 @ 01:11 am Weighing and Measuring
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The questions of Clio, and answers of Loki are as follows

1. What is a significant moment in your life and what made it significant?   My first day of my permaculture design course. It was the first time I realized what i wanted to do with my life - it was an indescribable sense of hope and direction.
   
2. What is important to you in your life right now? Saving the world, mastering and surpassing myself , and being a good friend. The devil's in the details, but that's a fairly good summary.

3. When was the last time you cried? I don't really cry because unless some major trauma is going down it seems pointless. I've had times in the past where I've felt overwhelmed and like giving up, but at best they got teary and I snapped myself out of it. I don't believe in emotion bottling, but I do believe in proactivity - doing something about the sitch rather than feeling sorry for myself. Obviously though, loss of life, limb or significant other calls for a cry till you're dry.

4. 'Famous' person that influenced you? Edward de Bono - before I started reading his stuff I was a second rate thinker at best. Still damn smart (and don't you forget it!), but intelligence is just a fact of hardware - this guy took the thinking software to great new places.

5. Name the top 3 females that might have a shot at turning you. Purely theoretical, but three characters from tv land just might have a shot: Faith from Buffy and Jennifer Garner (Alias) because they can kick ass, and Sam Carter from Stargate cos she's crazy smart (I know it's just on tv - but anyone who can blow up a sun deserves some awe). I think this answer firmly cements my geek status in place.
Apr. 10th, 2007 @ 12:02 am Out of the blue
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The great thing about going jogging before bed is that you get this big chunk of wakefulness in which you can finally get around to those emails and livejournalling you've been putting off for months AND download the 5678s for listening pleasure at the very same time. Having an iced coffee with dinner, while decadent, does help with such a venture.

Much has happened since the last entry of distant past. Most recently is the visiting of Clio and girlfriend Kristy who just goes to prove that Clio has impeccable taste. Say it with me: awww. I miss hanging out with the lady, as much as I'm already missing hanging out with Nephistopheles after the trip down to see her and soapmaker man in Taz land back in March. Upon reflection I guess I've been all socially butterflying - after getting back from Launnie I headed straight to Bathhurst with Nicky for the 21st of miss Alice which saw a good effort of dancing despite being sleep deprived and gorged on the available deliciousnesses (Alice if you're reading this, next time I'm giving Maddy a run for her money!). Then there's been the joint housewarming of the Glebe Group and Vesna's farewell (sadness, but with consolatory dark chocolate mousse courtesy of godhood worthy Lil), 'Mad Hatters' houseparty of now yacht owning engaged person Leo (where I got to wear my unstuffed bear head in official capacity) and just last night a good old fashioned clubbage to celebrate the womb expulsion of Suzie so many years ago.

In general news I am muchly pleased with my progress in driving even if my sister thinks I drive too close to tunnel walls and my merging is more of a turn into the next lane. I have not yet hit any cyclists, but I'm keeping my eye out for big L Liberals. Health wise I am becoming a freak and am even considering making all my social events involve physical activity (Clio and Neph: remove minds from gutter please), so I can share the pain with all my friends :) I've already gone tree climbing with Vesna, aerial labbing with Lil and co, and hitting adult gymnastics classes with sister Em - but there's potential for more. Considering the fact that even exhaustion has lately left me wanting more running around, I think I've got health nailed.

In the land of permaculture things are quite nice. Although some surprise house repainting duties have slowed my progress through the uber fun co-operative start up kit I just got from the ol Dept o Fair Trading folk (i actually jumped up and down and did the maniacal drool giggle when i got it) - the coop has massive attention gravity and all my daydreamings come back to it somehow. The history/geography book I'm reading is being devoured for historical lessons relevant to the endeavour (but I'm also just having fun with it). Kim of Leo's fiancee fame has also given of the carte blanche for their rooftop space - my quite awesome book on rooftop gardening and green walls (which my quite awesome aunty Dawn bestowed upon me recently for being born) suggests they will have entertaining space no more! but a sea of vegetables in it's place.

I have made strides also in the understanding of humans. Seems to me that most folk grow old more than up. I could just be falling into that old trap where you only see the supporting evidence or reinterpret everything to fit the theory, but I'm fairly certain all the meaty gooey stuff is just a big sack for the cloying emotions, insecurities, pretensions, excitements, arrogances, and other mental bits and pieces that all add up to their young adulthood. Hows that for a generalisation, eh? I've heard lots of different opinions on what a grown up is, many with an unfortunate emphasis on seriousness, but my theory is that they're the people with best/most coping mechanisms to fight off the dramatisation of life. Perhaps that's at least part of it. Also, guys are stupid. I've been giving thought of late to what I'm looking for in a partner and aside from my aversion to horrific concentrations of seriousness, I think I'm on the same page as Vesna. We discussed the other night on the way back from the park - most of the things we want get covered by friendships whether it be certain kinds of conversation or various time killers. A lot of the qualities I'm looking for I want to cultivate in myself so it throws the whole partner ideal up in the air. Needs and wants on this topic are currently being redefined, but at the very least I've just realised that I need to heavily prune back a restrictive list of 'essential' criteria and stop comparing one of a kind people to another one of a kind.

Ok, I've got week planning to do so I'm gone...
Jan. 4th, 2007 @ 10:19 pm Shenanigans on the relatively low lakes
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Cowsailors
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
OK, I'm aware we've just had a 'new year', but I'm pointedly not acknowledging it because it's all a bunch of arbitrariness that i didn't have anything to do with. So everyone can have a happy 5th of January instead! Or more importantly, happy 9th of January cos it's me anniversary of uterine expulsion, 25 years since the day I was set loose upon the world (Rachel did it so I thought I'd copy). If you really love me you'll be considering presents i suppose :P However, I can take care of the little wishlist I've scrounged up - if you wanted to go to Oxfam Unwrapped ( www.oxfamunwrapped.com.au ) and fork out for something more worldly on my behalf (dish out some seeds for only $10!) I would feel quite special :)

I've finally put up the piccies ( http://new.photos.yahoo.com/antaeus_of_sorts ) from November's houseboat week on Myall Lakes with the fearless crew: Lil, Vesna, Mahalia, Rowdy, Monica, Josh and Andrea. 'Twas a grand week to be sure - midnight skinny dipping, crazy dancing in a storm, the inevitable truth and dare (double dare, promise, kiss and torture), the drinking games, the redemptive exercise drills under blazing sun, snuggling up in the reading nook, the arts and crafts arvo and all our little forays and adventures. We kept ourselves well entertained and fed, but more improtantly I got to know (and invent!) some great people I'm lucky enough to call friends. I'm planning on hunting them down soon after I hit Sydney tomorrow.

I'm kinda feeling overwhelmed in regards to my plans for the year, with so many possibilities and opportunities opening up before me. Even just in terms of travel - I want to get out there and see all the great things people are doing all over the world and across Australia, but I'm also keen to sink my teeth into some projects back home. I'd still love to be able to go to Cuba and see how they've adapted to their peak oil situation, and it would be awesome to be a part of the International Permaculture Convergence in Brazil in May, but time and money again......

There'll be time to sort it out. After two weeks house-sitting for Carla, being 'supreme farm manager' in the wilds of Lismore, I'm lookin forward to a little socialisation spell with me peeps.
Nov. 9th, 2006 @ 05:24 am Irrelevant but not uninteresting Lepidoptera
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Lepidoptera
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
just a quick note before bedtime again - have managed to get myself set up with skype and associated accessories. Even got to listen to Lauris talk to herself before she had to go and I then found a little button I had to click to turn my mic on :(

Anyways, look for loki.ysebaert on skype and I'll now have the fun new feature of being able to talk back to you! and all for free - is it not a grand thing, all these little gadgets to anchor us in our computer chairs :P
Nov. 5th, 2006 @ 03:24 am chicken fantastica
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chicken fantastica
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
Got lots done today - read a good chunk of 'Practical Thinking' (another De Bono one), finished the base plan for a site in Alstonville we're designing, and even managed to drag Regina into the exercise regime. A good end to a good week. We had the family from our other design site next door, and Elizabeth and her family come down for a pizza night on Wednesday. Got to drive up the bush track to next door on the neighbour's modified mower. Maniacal fun at a walking pace! Can't wait till I get my learners permit.

Although Dhyana and Jean Micel have gone back to NZ and Mauritius, respectively, it still doesn't feel like they've fully left. Not just because they're planning on coming back next year and have left lots of their crap here - it's just a sense that they've just gone into town for a few months, or are really good and patient hide and go seekers. Maybe it's that yesterday's orange and almond cake me and Reg made, and ate completely the same day is stoking some endorphin producing war engine against the more saddening neurochemistry.

Heard from many of the amigos after the big group email the other day - it is good to know they're not all dead, and are even enjoying themselves. I got a particularly flattering email from mr Leo, and a fellow permie back in Syd wanted to use my explanation of permaculture for their website. I felt nice and chuffed until I got caught off guard the next day and threw together some ad-hoc word jumble explanation for my tour group. How the hell can I surprise people if I'm consistently articulate ?!

Got to meet a few of next year's crew at the course info day, and they're all grand folk - including amongst their number Helen from the sustainable aid/other cultures course (roundabouts my last entry). The year ahead looks mucho promising.



off to bed, hoping I don't dream of being trapped in a mega mall like last night (came out of nowhere!)
Sep. 18th, 2006 @ 09:58 pm International Speak Like a Pirate Day
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Facilitative Cartography
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
Yes folks, the day has come once more when you get to slip an 'avast' here and there into your daily speech, and talk like you're constipated with a gut full of nails. A sobering picture to be sure, but the gravity of the situation needs to be brought in.

Apart from today's bamboo harvesting frenzy it's been same ol', same ol' here - rounding off another fantastic few weeks. There was a whole mob here for two week-long intensive courses: 'Working with other cultures' and 'Sustainable aid in the 3rd (and 4th) world'. Amazing and inspirational content aside, the courses provided a lot of bonding opportunity and I got to see a whole new side to everybody here which has just completely opened my eyes to the importance of the people side of things. I think I've also learn't more about (practical) teamwork in the past fortnight than I have in primary, high school and uni put together.

There've also been some nice visits happening - old Djanbung crew like Darren and Tim stopping in, and one guest named Holly who showed us cool Bolivian permaculture projects.

Am gonna have to run now, back to the pirate flavoured fun - am trying to get as much in as possible before heading back to Sydney drabness on thursday for my uni graduation (AGAINST MY WILL!).
Aug. 28th, 2006 @ 07:21 am Up past bedtime
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A Nu work
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
It is a dark and stormy night and I've just finished watching 'The Power of Community - How Cuba survived Peak Oil', having a good chuckle at the impressively self reliant nation that's sprung up despite the best American efforts to crush it. If you want to get a little idea about how the world as we know it may fall apart, and the world succeeding it, then watch the thing - the french would say 'it is very good!' (but in a french accent :)

The rain has been a nice start to the new week, and with last week's field trips to a permaculture oasis in the bush, an old stone quarry remediation/reclamation, and Seed Savers HQ - I'm as keen as purple king climber beans to see my own gatden at Carla's getting underway. I'm starting off simply - working from the First Nations '3 Sisters' technique of a corn/curcurbit/legume mix, which basically means in a few months I'll have Golden sweetcorn, Champagne watermelons, gigantic Hubbards' squashes and the aforementioned beans. Elsewhere I've also got some Purple Cherokee tomatoes going in with carrots, capsicums, eggplant and asparagus. And maybe a few sunflowers.

In more immediate goodness, I got my concession pass today! After trawling the depths of government bureaucracy, I finally found the people who mete out the things. Almost ran into trouble when one of the State Rail paper pushers called my teacher up wanting to know why my application wasn't on green paper (?!) - but worker of wonders that she is, I've now got the much sought piece of card. I can now finally resolve the whole $200 train fine issue, and the grumbling can end.

When my head hits the pillow in 5 minutes I'll be dreaming of a herd of mimes chasing Sate Rail jerks through a field of sweetcorn and watermelons....
Aug. 21st, 2006 @ 01:08 am A belated entry from thursday
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Frolicking Dirtchild
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
Despite having one full day after another I feel so much more alive up here, almost as if this is the holiday to the city time it seems to take so long to recover from. Carla and I have recently started work at a strawbale house building site, and it’s definitely incensed the interest in learning carpentry. It's just part of a growing list of courses that I want to sink my teeth into: architecture, mechanics, metalwork, cabinet making, electronics, web design… but I’ve decided I’ll first get to the stage where I can teach permaculture, and then I’ll be able to finance this lifelong learning spree whilst training up a slew of integrated system designers :)

Had a beautifully idyllic day on Monday – another healthy breakfast courtesy of Carla, a day of seed saving in class whilst being read magically realistic excerpts from Isabel Allende’s ‘Zorro’, wading around in a pond with Regina harvesting water lotus in our undies and going on to have a mud fight and clean off swim in the dam, a kung fu class all to myself up at Nimbin town hall, delicious burritos for dinner, a call from miss Neph (love ya lady!), a nice little read of ‘6 Value Medals’ by my favored author Mr De Bono, and finally wrapping myself up in a warm cozy bed for the night.

Right now though, I’m off to sate the inner sci fi geek with this week’s episode of Stargate
Aug. 3rd, 2006 @ 05:27 am A break from the healthy life
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last 3 standing
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
I love my friends. As much as I'm beginning to loathe Sydney with all it's wastefulness and absurdity - that's all easily forgotten in their company. I love the whole corset wearing, trapeze acting, bunny headed, random phone calling, klutsy, good hearted lot of ya and it makes a boy sad to not get to spend more time with y'all.

That said, I've posted some particularly embarassing photos from Lil and Vesna's 21sts to stop those egos getting out of control and cannibalising your coolness :)
Find 'em at http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/antaeus_of_sorts/

I wish I could of seen more (or even some) of everybody, but can't have it all I suppose (unless I could somehow lure them all into one spot....)

Will post more updatage later as I have a crapload of research to do before I head back to Carla's tomorrow morning.

Love and curcurbits to all ye good peeps
Jul. 7th, 2006 @ 08:50 pm Some Old Faces
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A Trio Reunited
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
Got to spend a few days with la chica maravillosa, Neph on this return to Sydney. Murphy saw to it that our Wednesday, which we spent wandering all around Sydney, trying to finally organise geting our Binning St bond back, was not to be quite so productive as we had led ourselves to believe. After trekking from Glebe to Broadway to print out forms at Kinkos, we redirected to Erko, funnily enough one block over from the house in question, to get the completing 3rd signature from Sam. No hitches so far, even had a nice little small world experience at peanut choc chip cookie stop at Bec's place on Abercrombie. First hitch was after walking from Erko to Annandale, our sought after real estate agency had moved another couple of k's up the road. No big, but we were lulled into a false sense of security in thinking that this must have been the necessary hiccup in the whole process. One very nice and helpful real estate agent took the form off our hands and said everything was good to go - they'd only need to call us if there were any problems. We walked back to Glebe, had our well earned cat nap, partied all night at various venues.

Call came the next morning.

The bond had already been paid to Sam back in January :P Being overseas at the time the boy wasn't to know the exactitudes of what was going on. There wasn't much to do but notify Sam of his dufus (doofus?) status and sigh.
Jun. 28th, 2006 @ 05:40 am 7 Songs
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Yeah Yeah Yeah
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
So Neph has done to us all this act of tagging, and it is now my turn to publicise my 7 songs of the moment. They're not necessarily new (just been unearthed in my noggin and rattling around again), and not necessarily correctly named (if i even know it), nor in any order:

1) Gold Lion by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (and yes Erin, they do sound alittle Tegan and Sara)
2) random rock version of 'Wind Beneath My Wings' that I heard on the Js the other day
3) one of Sarah McLeod's (formerly Superjesus) new songs - don't rightly know the title
4) Girl Anachronism by the Dresden Dolls
5) Is That All There Is by PJ Harvey
6) I Want The Whole World from the original Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
7) Teenage FBI by Guided By Voices

They be the faves of the moment
Jun. 21st, 2006 @ 08:34 pm Light Whale
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Light Whale
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
The Lismore Lantern Festival on the weekend was a sea of giant organic light sculptures, with an accompinament of flashy pyrotechnics. The fireworks couldn't compare, though, to the massive bonfire and wickerman we built up and torched last night as part of our winter solstice celebration. After feasting on pumpkin soup, subji, ayum soto, black sticky rice pudding and coconut cream, choc brownies, and coffe walnut cake with frangelico cream icing; we partied till the wee small hours of the morning. AND I think I've broken the recent caffeine craze after last nights stint in the canteen, too: having to be on the other side of the counter for a few hours gave me a renewed hate for the brew.

Night before last we rounded off our 'Bushfoods and Restoration Ecology' with a fieldtrip to Mt Nardi, followed by a feast of kangaroo and riberry meatballs, lemon myrtle seasoned barramundi steamed in cordyline wraps, and macadamia and waragal greens pesto sauced pasta. The riberry chardonay didn't suck either :P Always great to have a dinner party with excellent food, but the company and conversation made the night - 'twas great to just sit and chill with everybody. Peter Hardwick, our teacher, has given me so many ideas these past 6 weeks, especially with regards to gold mining operations - I'm eternally grateful for the course.

I'm looking forward to our open day on saturday, notsomuch for the event itself, but the buzz of activity that preceeds it. Our winter solstice prep saw a huge cleanup go down, and I'm looking forward to knocking off a few projects before the weekend, but right now lunch is on.....
Jun. 14th, 2006 @ 04:08 pm All over the place
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Carla
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
Some eventfulness since last entry. Have moved out of my beloved carriage (just after making it all cozy and snug) to a guest caravan on Carla's property. 'Tis a grand arrangement: with Carla only just starting to recover from protracted heart complications, and the rest of the family busy with work and school, I provide a much needed pair of extra hands to tend the still nascent gardens and orchards in exchange for some much appreciated rentlessness and quality feed :) I drive to Djanbung for class with Carla, and stayover Tues and Wed nights. I feel like I'm getting the best of both worlds: still get to be involved in projects at Djanbung, but also have some opportunity to go off on my own steam, and see a permaculture system in development at Carla's. It's great, too, to feel like part of Carla's amazing family.

Had a dream night before last about the chicken i had to put down (by way of head removal) a couple of weeks ago, and although she was old, sick, and getting pecked on by all the other chickens (which I've just found out HURT) - felt sick about it this time round. Carla may yet have the only omnivore in her house going back to vegetarianism. The dream was possibly just a random though - a few nights before that I dreamt that my sister and I were part of a thief troupe that we doublecrossed after a mega heist (think high tech gadgets, climbing ropes, and some fancy ass kicking moves - think alias and mission impossible) to make off with much loot. Was very impressed with the both of us. It may have been weak on the realism, but it hammered home the old saying "Teamwork isn't work - it's teamFUN" :)

Gotta head to class now.... more later.
May. 15th, 2006 @ 03:07 am Back in the Swing
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Swimming pool sunset
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
Stepping back onto Djanbung ground after 2 citybound weeks and the frustrations of travel was a relief beyond compare. Within ten minutes I was jumping into the dam to wash off the last of the urban stress. Although I probably at the moment have more projects going than back in Sydney, there's no feeling of being overwhelmed - it's more passion than imperative i'm running on.

Have to say it was very touching to hear from everyone after pa's stroke - the good news is that he's more or less back on his feet now, up and active. Sadly though, from all accounts, the man still can't dance to save himself :P I want to do a big email out to everyone when I get a good chunk of free time, and hopefully get a few postal addresses to send these postcards to....

The wishlist of projects has been perpetually growing, but today I've made great progress on my favourite of the moment. I've started putting together a powerpoint presentation of a report on Edward De Bono's book 'Teach Yourself to Think' which has given me a good bit of appreciation for the efforts of all my uni lecturers. The book itself, like his others I've read, was lifechanging: humbling, and with more than a few (constructive) slaps in the face, it's totally changed my fundamental response and approach to the world. I think I'll definitely have to count myself amongst the ranks of his fans because the guy's a guru of the elegant and simple - the 'thinking tools' from this book are being taught in both boardrooms and third world primary schools alike.

In other news, we have sadly lost one of our little chiclets from the flock. I optimistically hold that it's entered its rebellious 'flight feather' stage and run off to join the wild guerrila survivalist chicken network in the forest up the mountain. One day it will return as the prodigal hen/rooster to lead the others to further sassiness. And yes, I am hereby reinsating the common usage of the word 'sassy'.

Keep your eyes peeled in upcoming days/weeks for photos of the floating bamboo drawbridge I'm designing, hopefully a fantastic fold-up chicken hutch, and much more.

Sois sage mes amis (pero tambien un poco loco :)
Apr. 24th, 2006 @ 07:54 am Family
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Goldminer
Originally uploaded by antaeus_of_sorts.
Ok, am back in Sydney, on a break from class, and I've extended my stay from the planned few days after dad had his stroke. He was extremely lucky to get away with a temporary weakness and loss of control in his left arm and leg. Considering the fact that he could have died or been left vegetable, a couple of months of rehab to get back on his feet seems a small price.

I think it goes without saying that close calls like this can really make you appreciate the people you have in your life. I was still in Melbourne when Ma called and told me the news. So removed from the gravity of the situation, I was just glad to be with friends and was greatful for the short time I got to spend with them again. It really drove home the fact that the sense of family exceeds the ties of blood - it survives on the will to keep those bonds alive.

I feel too, privileged to witness the swell of support for my dad from neighbours, colleagues, friends, family - to see the network of people whose lives he's touched, as with the response to Ma's breast cancer scare last year. I saw one of my favourite cartoons up on the wall today and had to laugh again. In it is a sea of forlorn looking people all with the same thought bubble: "What can one person do?"....

:)