A True American Independent indeed...

The Sydney Film Festival brought 2 great films into my life in the last few weeks, the first being Choke based on the book of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The at times hilarious rehabilitative quest of a sex addict, Choke has the ability and guts to make you squirm and squeal in equal measure. See it if only for a hit of laugh medicine.

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S. Thompson takes you into the carnival of our favourite Doctor of Journalism and on a ride through the 70s and 80s; on the campaign trail, through the barrel of a gun, along the highway of the Hell's Angels and spits you out somewhere different entirely, with the knowledge that the world was a damn sight more interesting for having Hunter a part of it. The American Dream indeed...you must see this film. Click on the above links for the trailers and enjoy the Ibogaine.

Great Escape 2008

Speaking of festivals (I wasn't was I? Anyway...), this morning I went for a bike ride with the old man through bicentennial park and we wound our way down towards Newington Armory. Ah, the site of my festival of festivals, my joy weekend, Gomez and hay fights, beer in cans, old train housing stations playing arthouse doccos, Evan Dando and cabaret, juggling arena and the waterside stage...ooh poffertjes too...mmm. Across the empty site I saw and heard the rumble of it all in my minds eye. This year The Great Escape is on October 4th-5th (Labour Day long weekend) and tickets are on sale Wednesday 19th July. Getting giddy at the thought. If you know what's good for you, get a ticket and I'll seeya there...

Ted.com

Feeling the need to be inspired? Ted.com is such a fantastic website packed with 18 minute video lectures on topics as diverse as science, politics, the environment and the arts. Open yourself up to ideas being discussed by some of the most innovative thinkers out there in the world today. As I starter I recommend this one by Michael Pollan about how plants have evolved to use us as much as we do them. Enjoy!

Melbourne Love

Two trips to Melbourne last month and every time I go I find more reasons to fall in love with this city (though in the Melbourne vs Sydney rivalry, my toes are dug in the BEACH of course:). With so many amazing places to eat - MoVida, Cookie (a new fav you must check out for dinner or drinks), Misty (bar on Hosier lane next door to MoVida - funky cavernous place), Gin Palace (a dim establishment with lavish and comfy furnishings), Electric Ladyland in Praram, The Carni which holds warehouse style parties, Soul Mamas vegetarian restaurant in St Kilda, quirky fashion (Quick Brown Fox, Kinki Gerlinki etc), fuck it I'm not stopping - Brunswick Street, grafitti, and of course my favourite spot in Melbs - DEGRAEVES LANE. There's alot of love...