Still life
While visiting my sister I woke from a dream about being at a school and teachers asking I to build a pop-up skull
Spilt Milk in Canberra
Took my son to this music festival in Canberra and it felt like the first time I'd been to something like the Big Day Out in decades
This guy was a highlight of Spilt Milk and it seems unusual for a local act to compete with the headliners, which were also hiphop amongst a heavily pop lineup.
I mean, some of the other bands I'd heard on those rare moments I listen to Triple J but mostly one could tell when they were playing a single because everyone would whip out their phone to film it.
One of the strengths of Genesis' set was his wide variety of influences and tempo shifts, as well as energetic movement across the stage he held on his own.
(And occasionally I'd look to see what the sound guy was doing, because I kept recognising his VSTs.)
Recent performances
The "performative reading" fad led me to contemplate which book I took to jury duty yesterday
Sitting at the courthouse gave me a couple of hours of reading time and, aside from being the only person I saw reading a book, I was also the only person wearing a mask.
Anyway, dear reader, my performances didn't stop there.
The case involved a couple who'd been arrested with a commercial quantity of cannabis and the judge clearly did not want any jurors who didn't want to be there.
He implored people to come forward if they have sleep apnoea!
So I raised my hand and took the opportunity to tell the room that I supported drug law reform and in particular thought cannabis should be decriminalised.
The judge told me I was dismissed.
Careless classic
Currently revisiting the Primus drummer auditions with my son and thought to investigate this band
George Michael's poignant song is beautifully rendered in a soulful way, and the rest of their set is great too.
Another modern classic for your delection!
In praise of girlfriends
When I saw this comment earlier in the week it seemed like outrageous clickbait fodder
Young men might think their freedom comes from being single, but their opportunities to mature are severely curtailed by not having a relationship.
When you have a significant other you gain someone outside of your family who will observe and comment on where you have opportunities to grow.
It's not always easy to have a person you love who will call out your shortcomings, particularly if you respect them enough to listen and care.
Too often people feel empowered to end a relationship when it's not serving them and, while I can't comment on all of those experiences nor the hurts that might be stirred, sometimes these are experiences where emotional growth can occur.
Obviously not all our relationships are good ones, otherwise so many wouldn't seek ways to escape or move past trauma.
However, it is through reflection that we can learn things not able to be seen from our own limited view of the world or learn about the patterns of behaviours that lie below the initial flush of anger, embarrassment and shame.
I learn a lot about myself from those around me, particularly those who have known me and trust me as I can trust them.
Some of the best lessons have come from girlfriends, which is why this hateful human is disdainful and wants men to look to other men for a limited reflection of human experience.
