I feel sorry for you

I'm not sure why but sometimes people express some disappointment when they are waiting to get a new iPhone. I feel sorry for them. For all of us.

Once there's an iPhone around, things get a little strange. Looking around sometimes and it's hard to think that this is what people do when they are by themselves on a bus or train, obsessively looking at a tiny screen and flicking it along with their fingers.

You can be having a conversation with someone and they are not quite there. And then you realise that they are just flicking around on their iPhone, pinching stuff together. Or maybe you ask them something. Instead of having an answer, you might be redirected to an app. Maybe you could even get into a conversation about what apps are cool these days.

The thing to remember is that during the conversation, the iPhone is always there... on their shoulder, in their pocket, somewhere... whispering. Maybe something more interesting is going on?

Gymorexia

I just heard there is a word for being addicted to exercise - gymorexia. Apparently, it means that you have to go to the gym and exercise for hours each day otherwise you feel 'fat'. Maybe this addiction has always existed somewhere within the human race but it is only now that we have so many opportunities to exercise that it is coming out. There are gyms everywhere, heck if you've got a door you've got a gym.

Is there such a thing as a good addiction? Probably gymorexic is better than being a drug addict or an alcoholic. I wonder what the rehab is for gymorexia? I don't think it would be a twelve step program.

Just to compare gymorexia to a few other addictions that I have seen. Gymorexia has the benefits of being able to eat what you want and being in good shape. The downsides are actually going to the gym and having to hang out there, working out in front of a mirror while other people beside you are also looking at themselves in the mirror and grunting. The mirror actually shows the whole room but I don't really see anyone looking at anyone else apart from themselves. The other downside is probably the money for a gym membership, and maybe injuries.

Some people are addicted to cleaning, which I guess has the benefits of being in a hygienic environment. The downsides are going to be a fear of public places, inability to relax because cleaning is never ending and maybe even some kind of chemical poisoning.

Other people are addicted to soccer/football, which has no known benefits to society apart from some incidental fitness and learning about far flung places that have football teams. The downsides are watching football at odd hours of the day, the anguish of watching your team lose, neurotic parents screaming from the sidelines when you are coaching and the general malaise and vapidness when there is no football on.

And some people are addicted to work. Why?

Immortality

If you are immortal, do you think about the future more or less?

Movie Titles That Describe Your Last Dump

Credit goes to my friend and artist Duca and her friends...

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Scent of a Woman
Three Men and A Baby
Waiting to Exhale
I know what you had for breakfast
Junior
The green mile
Star Trek II : The Wrath of Khan
Flubber
Sleepless in Seattle
Big
‎...is anyone else noticing the relationship forming between Tom Hanks and best movie title to describe your last shit?
The Polar Express.... eh? eh?
What about "The Road to Perdition" and "Joe vs The Volcano"?
Castaway, although I think I may have stolen that one.
Fear
The Italian Job
Gone in 60 seconds
Willy wonka and the chocolate factory
The bodyguard
Born free
Spirited away and watership down
There will be blood
Long kiss goodnight
Duplicity
The Great Escape
Down Periscope
Cool Runnings
Black Beauty
Chocolat
The Hurricane
Twister
O brother where art thou?
The passion of the christ
From Hell
Pitch Black

... and my contribution, "Gone with the Wind"

Burgers Taste Better on the Road

And by this, I don't mean you are sitting on the kerbside of King St munching on an Istanbul chicken burger.

When you are on a road trip, a burger or any fast food tastes better.

I've been trying to think of the reasons why. A friend of mine thinks it is because you aren't really worrying about eating healthy. I guess you aren't really worrying about people judging you on what you eat.

You are probably hungrier. When you don't have work or something else distracting you from enjoying life, you just realise how much you need to eat and sleep. Hungriness makes the food taste good. Not sure if you are hungry when you are eating that chicken burger by the side of the road... but it does taste good then too.

I think it's also just down to choice. When you are where you live, you have already explored so many areas. You have so much choice on what to eat, that you are measuring your meal against all the other possible ones you could have at that moment. When you are on the road, your choices are sometimes just between KFC and Macca's.

Sometimes I wanna take a road trip just for the Macca's

Best Music of 2010

A friend of mine has passed on these lists to me for the past few years. It's something that I know really look forward to at the end of the year. As you can see, it's got some great variety, and you can always spend a month or few trying to check out all of this stuff. If you want to see the full 100, or the past few years lists, go to his site.

http://auditorrecords.blogspot.com/2010/12/lists-best-albums-of-10-25-1.html

1. The Radio Dept. - Clinging to a Scheme
Expanding the sounds explored on the preceding EPs, they combine Thurston Moore samples and infectious synth hooks to evoke the emotions of the Swedish winter. It was a long time coming, but sooo worth it.

2. Foals - Total Life Forever
Many people wrote them off saying that much like Bloc Party the follow-up would be weaker and more poppy. With this they didn't quite top Antidotes but managed to successfully move in a new direction; incorporating new sounds whilst maintaining the raw energy that garnered their initial fanbase.

3. I Am Kloot - Sky At Night
One of the most underrated bands ever. John Bramwell is a genius and writes such honest, emotional songs. Produced by the guys from Elbow; it contains more horns and orchestral sounds than previously. Apart from the re-recorded 'Proof' everything works amazingly well.

4. The National - High Violet
Can they ever make a wrong move. Such amazing songcraft. Wish I was this talented.

5. Gayngs - Relayted
Was a favourite all through the year, the songwriting is ace, the production is amazing and the smooth it makes for a perfect Sunday arvo chillax. supergroup feat some past end year list favs Dosh, Bon Iver,

6. Four Tet - There Is Love in You
This is my favourite Four Tet album so far, its works far better as an entire work than any thing he has done previously.

7. Goldheart Assembly - Wolves And Thieves
Sadly been overlooked or written off as 'british fleet foxes' wannabees. This observation is so misguided; yes they like folk and have beards but they are actually crafting something quite distinct. This is something credible for all the mumford & sons haters. Rejoice!

8. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Any album that features both Gruff Rhys and Snoop Dogg was always going to be awesome.

9. Caribou - Swim
As someone who was a big Manitoba fan I've been following his stuff under Caribou with great interest by never really convinced ..until now. This is the best stuff Dan Snape has ever done.

10. Cherry Ghost - Beneath This Burning Shoreline
If they were american they'd be one of the biggest indie rock bands in the world. But thankfully their not, and just go about making amazing sombre records that reward people that actually bother to search them out

11. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Before Today
Even though some of the songs have been around for years, the fact that they were on obscure cassettes that only obsessed people like me listen too probably makes the re-recorded 4AD ones sufficiently new. Lo-fi goes Hi-fi-ish. Its fucking ace so grab it!

12. The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt
Yet another Swedish album. This is so heartfelt. I know people hate his voice. But screw them the power and honesty of these songs is enough for me. He is fucking amazing live as well, though he did start crying...*hugs*

13. The Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
After two incredible records there is a lot to live up to. So they go and create a masterpiece, that uses restraint to deliver its power. It rococos!

14. Parades - Foreign Tapes
A diverse band that have the ability to write post punk gems like 'Dead Nationatle' only to soften slightly into the floating piano led perfection of Hunters. This album is worth getting just for the experimentation and exploration of sounds. Our favourite australian album this year.

15. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening
The last LCD album is considered a critical masterpiece, which I'd largely agree with. But imo this is better. The 80s influences are not contrived or overtly derivative, merely used to guide the record stylistically. Pop perfection.

16. Sally Seltmann - Heart That's Pounding
The contrast between this and her albums as New Buffalo is stark. An entire album of classic pop anthems. It's amazzzing get it already

17. The Ancients - The Ancients 2
I really like Jon Mitchell's stuff with Mum Smokes so was hanging out for this. It doesn't disappoint with loads of lazy Sunday arvo style indie-pop tunes. suuuch a Melbourne band

18. Errors - Come Down With Me
The debut was so strong I had doubts about this but its even stronger! If you love the new Holy Fuck album get this its similar in style and just as good. Oh and after 5 years of waiting finally caught then live and it was one of the best gigs this year.

19. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
Crap yes. Bradford Cox is such a weird dude, but spose most genius' peeps are. As you'd expect their tender pop is hidden amongst some hazy ambience.

20. Flying Lotus - Cosmogramma
FlyLo FTW!

21. The Besnard Lakes - The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night
A bunch of soaring psychedelia that draws you into a maelstrom of blurred sound. More rounded and warm than previous records.

22. Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can
She is ridiculously talented. Another album of clever, witty folk.

23. Sianna Lee - Phoenix Propeller
Dark, beautiful, considered contemporary pop. Probably the most cruelly neglected australian release this year. (Ex Love Outside Andromeda frontwoman)

24. Cloud Control - Bliss Release
I liked Gold Canary but didn't think the album would live up to it, but not only does it do that it tops it. Their own brand of folk rock sounds like a lost gem from years gone by.

25. Houses - All Night
This has been criminally overlooked. Much like Memory Tapes last year, it is understated blissful synth pop or dare I say it chillwave urghh