You Tube:'Sneaky Gays

A sneak peak of the next season of GLEE - esp like the many mentioned word swish

A day in my life - an ebay experience.

I have been a great fan of ebay – selling and buying - and not had any issues. However my recent ebay purchase went like this...

Found item...watched item until last day of auction [I have been looking for similar item for last few months and all go for way too much].

Item in last day – came in and bid like crazy – won item! Paid under what I thought it would have gone for – brilliant.

Sent email for address for courier to collect [it was furniture] and informed the seller I paid via PayPal. She refunded it and said could I pay via bank account instead. PayPal did not debit me – not a problem.

Paid into bank account and emailed her. She confirmed address & she recommended a courier to use. I then organised the suggested Courier and agreed on a price. Too easy.

That was Monday - Delivery Wednesday. And now starts the drama.

Courier calls me this morning and lost address. Gave address again. Ok.

Bank calls me. PayPal have debited account and did I know that I am now overdrawn? Apologised to bank manager [my bank still believes in service ] I then transfer funds to cover. Not ok.

Courier calls me again. Seller not at home. I inform them they are 30 mins early. Courier said that they are busy so they thought they would get there early. I inform them again I was told 10-12 pick up and suggested that they call their office to sort out as I informed seller of this. Getting tetchy now.

Leave a message for seller. So not good right now.

I call PayPal. After 10 mins in an automated service designed to try a patience of a saint I speak to a disinterested agent called ‘Patrick’ [Prick would have been more fitting] who informs me that seller had no right to refund payment until she received it. And this is my problem? And anyway I would have to wait for 5 working days to appear in my Pay Pal account. Once appeared I can request to withdraw the funds from my PayPal account I now have to wait for a further 5 working days [ so 2 weeks minimum] before I can have the money back into my account. And no nothing can be done. I thank Patrick for his assistance and tell him that if he showed some empathy to customers they would be much easier to speak to and possibly his job could be easier too. Quite furious right now.

Courier calls again. They have waited until 10:05am and still no one at home. They are leaving and if I want to reorganise to call the office. I do. Owner of courier business give ME a frosty reception and states that he simply can’t do another trip to sellers today. Nor the rest of week. Possibly late next week IF an opening becomes available. I inform him I will call him back. I don’t.
I email seller to reschedule for later this week – maybe the weekend. No response.

I call another courier to get quote. Firstly I am informed that I have called the wrong department and given a new number. Then promptly disconnected. I call new number. Better automated voice and get through to agent. She can’t help me but takes my details and someone will call back soon. I ask when? Soon she repeats. I wait.

I make a coffee and contemplate why you can’t buy vallium over the counter anymore. It’s also the first time in 4 years I want to light up a cigarette and pretend I’m Baby Jane Hudson when I’m speaking to these phone incompetents. If anything just to practice my Bette.

So I try the seller again. She answers. She overslept and missed the whole thing. I tell her my morning and she apologises profusely and tells me she will drop in off within 2 hours. She sounds genuine. I thank her and say a Hail Mary just in case. Im not even Catholic.

Well she did. And she could not have been nicer about. She called the 1st courier to explain it was her issue and didn’t even take petrol money.

So I have my item which looks fantastic [ it is vintage post war Danish buffet for the Dining Room] and have saved on courier costs. Will eventually get my other money back.

Moral of this tale – PAYPAL are cunts but sellers on ebays are not. In fact this one was fabulous.

X b

Ps- Oh yeah 2nd courier company still has not called me back. But you guessed that already.

52 weeks

Well now its February I decided to come clean about my new year’s resolution

Firstly I haven’t broken it!

Secondly I chose it as it specifically so I couldn’t break it. Naturally.

Thirdly it’s not shocking, dirty, drug or sex related, climbing Mt Everest or building an Ark [Jesus I tried that when i was about 8 with Lego and let me tell you it didn’t work then] nor am I trying to be more spiritual, find religion, give up a vice nor loving thy neighbour more [Even though one of the guys to our left is a bit hot I don’t thing Andy would appreciate my spying on the hot neighbour].

And the thing is that after collecting so many cookbooks over the years -16 at last count, 18 months worth of the Gourmet Traveller [ The OZ foodies bible] & a folder of cut out, scribbled on and given to – recipes, I thought it was time for action.

So my resolution was to try a new recipe per week for 2010. Period.

Criteria was simple – it must be something new I haven’t cooked before, sourced from anywhere & I must have at least 52 completed by 31st of Dec 2010. Yes I was a bit inspired by Julia & Julie but not inspired enough to do every day – Well I would if I didn’t have to work! Also these are the dry runs of what will be appearing on the menu for dinner parties at Casa del a Riversdale this year.

So here’s what I prepared [earlier] to date (with source):-

JAN
4.1 1 - Lobster Thermidor - The internet
11.1 2 - Indian Lamb kebabs - ‘Indian in 6’
18.1 3 - Lamb Kofta - The internet
25.1 4 - Pea & Prawn Linguini - ‘Gourmet Traveller Simple’

FEB
1.2 5 - Berry Trifle - A & B special [ made up this one]
8.2 6 - Tandoori Chicken - ‘Indian in 6’
15.2 7 - Dahl with Spinach - ‘Indian in 6’
21.2 8 – Spanakopita (planned) - Gourmet Traveller (march 2010)

So I think I have covered classics, Indian & Greek so far. Lobster Thermidor has indeed splendid & a marvellous start. All the Indian recipes were amazing [without burning our mouths] NB - less liquid with the Dahl, darl. I think Greek food hits the spot with my love affair with Lamb. Planning to roast a whole leg Greek style soon. μεγάλος!

I have decided that throughout the year I will be updating with my progress to date – no dear reader this is not becoming a foodie blog [There is much a rumbling with Eurovision 2010 to be had next month!] but I thought a new series just for ‘010- I will also take any suggestions or recipes sent from anyone– however nothing too unusual (I’m not eating insects, testicles etc) however would be open to different styles to push my cooking boundaries.

Email me recipes at urbanguy99@hotmail.com
[title your email recipe].

X b

You gotta have pride

So on Sunday it was pride march in Melbourne town - more of the Midsumma madness. Andy & I sent our regrets as we were gardening that day. Before you say why we were not in attendance I figured I can miss a gay march after being out of the closet for almost 20 years [this year readers] & seen a few sights in that 20 years in the community & I didn’t need to go and see more. Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the march with the many groups represented such as the bears nor PFLAG/dykes on bikes/gay parents/mature men nudists [wearing g’s no less – or they’ll get arrested] nor a support group for trannies of Dimboola or lesbian separatists Baptist church [Ah[Wo]men!]- Its just that they represent groups that I don’t relate to.

So it’s only apt that I was reading a blog article titled Create a Unifying Term for the Community in the Queers united blog [http://queersunited.blogspot.com ] basically calling for a united name for the GLBTIQA – Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Questioning ( I know - how the fuck did that one get in - NB some know this as Queer but in OZ its Questioning) and Asexual. Why don’t we just call it GLBTIQASupercalifragilisticexpialidociousfuckingstupidname community as the adding of the letters has become too ridiculous for...words.

Now I totally agree with one unified name for the community however where do you start? Queer on the face of it seems to fit the bill but it’s just too queer for words and too 1970’s. Same with those nicknames of ‘Nancy’ &‘Mary’ as they are old ladies names now. Faggot rhymes with maggot too much & poofs reeks of the 1960’s Carry on Films [actually I don’t mind that one really as you can make it poofie, poofta, wooly woofter, woofter & my latest poofer however even I concede that this may be a bit of a setback for the community at large]. Bent really means you're a criminal. Friends of Dorothy missed the bus ride years ago or should I say the house ride. Queen refers to her majesty [we are NOT a republic yet]. Funny, that way inclined & effeminate is just that & let’s face it gay really refers to homosexual men. Well all I have mentioned do relate to gay men as gay men even when being oppressed need to have the spotlight[s].

Maybe then it’s time we split the community into groups instead of unifying. Do lesbians & gays really need or want to share the dinner table? Do transsexuals really want asexuals sharing their upstairs/downstairs flat too? Do bisexuals want to mix with intersexes over cocktails & canapes? And where do we put the "questionables" – give them a map to Gaytown with a exit back to Normalville when they have had enough? Let alone all the others we are yet to include? In this global community is it not time that we have enough players to stand alone? You would think so if you trawl through all those specific groups in Face book - Stick to your own kind day say I ? Or Do I.

Before declaring that I’m becoming a gay separatist on the Isle of Brett the Gay Poofer Gardener bar & grill theme park I was drawn back to an Aesop tale – The Bundle of sticks from the 6th century [ taken from From http://www.bartleby.com/17/1/72.html ]

AN OLD man on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered his servants to bring in a faggot of sticks, and said to his eldest son: “Break it.” The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the Bundle. The other sons also tried, but none of them was successful. “Untie the faggots,” said the father, “and each of you take a stick.” When they had done so, he called out to them: “Now, break,” and each stick was easily broken. “You see my meaning,” said their father.

Interesting as it mentions ‘broken faggots’ and the moral being how united we stand but divided we fall. There is a real need for the community to still march down the street affirming our identity while accepting our diversity too.

I think we need more time on the name. Now that’s a conversation for the 21st century - Oh Boy/girl/ladyboy/unassigned !

You Tube:Girls Aloud - The Promise

Yes I know this is old. Yes I know its girls aloud and yes its bad BAD pop. But I saw it the other day and the video is so heaven - The stylists had a field day with this - ENJOY!

T dance and the snappy happy crowd

Well Midsumma's T-dance was a boon this year - yes the weather was far better last year [storm clouds were toying with us all afternoon and into the evening] - but the company was as just as thrilling. The line up was pretty good too. I do remember seeing Inaya Day for only a brief moment but clearly I was losing track of time. Especially given the days celebrations [Carnival and the entire Midsumma festival can be very taxing]. The patrons, like previous years, were great. Well in the paid area anyway.

Now having accquired the iphone very recently [as with every other poof in the park] everyone was a bit snap happy. And my photos were not the best. However a rather lovely young man called Oliver we all met was was taking pics of all and sundry. He managed to snap a very nice one of us [I'm on the end in the aqua/teal/insert affected colour here].

Well it turns out this young man is a photographer [in between his day job in our airways] and has a rather wonderful blog himself called FLY FROM NEARBY http://flyfromnearby.tumblr.com - as he states in the description - A photo blog of my first 365 days of being a non-smoker.I take a photo every day, of anything and anyone. He regularly updates the blog with new and very interesting snaps. Each one is a snapshot of his life. Hard day in the office.They are bizarre, interesting and rather wonderful pictures. These are just a sample.
Oliver is clearly inspired by his mates.
I love this - its like a marathon runner tossed it in when arriving at the beach. And here is Oliver with the Satorialist no less. Patron & apprentice?

Skater vs urban chic?
And The girls at T- dance - this one made it in! Lucy, Claire and the English gals. This snap summed up the day very well for me. Thankfully he wasn't taking snaps of us at the end of the night. Well at least the light is more forgiving then.

b

Blogs to check out

Hello and welcome to 2010 [I'm still trying to say 20-10 a opposed to two thousand and ten - its taking longer than expected] - Just a few blog links that I have been enjoying lately over my holidays that I want to share:-

I do believe I came with a hat - http://idobelieveicamewithahat.com/

This is fabulous - an old school etiquette site for living in 2010 - Especially like the tag line - One gentleman's guide to not getting thrown out, not throwing up and how to throw a party! I must have him around for dinner - I just hope the linen will be pressed enough!

One fine gay - http://onefinegay.blogspot.com/

This blog is a day to day adventures of a gay man in the Manchester UK - Its funny, cute and well written - love a rant from a scouce who enjoys a shant. Oh and the play on words title is v.clever.

Project 76 - http://blog.project76.tv/

Another UK gay blog gem - especially like his posts to do with Dr Who, UK food ( chips and other fried varieties) and all about UK Telly - v good. Oh and he have 76 in the title [which is somewhat a joke between myself and Tonzy but I digress] which is always good.

And finally...

Deep Dish - http://marcharshbarger.blogspot.com/

This is heaven - Retro TV/Music/Film rants with shots of hot men - all I need now is a 12 inch disco remix/poolside/sunglasses/cocktail and whoosh I'm away!

Speaking of which - I'm off to T-dance this afternoon and V.excited - hopefully it won't rain.

X b

You tube: Flash Mob Dance in Melbourne

As part of Summer Fun in the City - City Of Melbourne organised a Flash Mob for Bourke St Mall - I was only in the audience not a participant - its a shame that the video does show it was almost the entire length of the mall itself.

Summertime

This is was my Sunday - City Beach (Perth Western Australia)

And this my monday ( same beach) ...back home on today. The beach was...awesome.

Another 10 for (20)10

Jesus I just realised that it’s the end of the year, and the decade in less than 2 weeks.

You know I can remember [barely mind] new years eve 1979. I mean I was only 5 but clearly remember that date. You never forget certain dates no matter what age. Especially in that year as my birthday party was shared with my sister [we are separated by 2 years but are born 3 days apart!] never nice to share birthdays unwillingly. I do remember though different birthday cakes. She had Donald Duck & I had Mickey Mouse - those piped whipped creations of birthday past. I remember that year vividly Perth celebrating its 150 sequentennial. Black Swans for days EVERYWHERE. But NYE '79 - we were dragged to a party to a local community hall in North Beach. I remember party lights, halter necks & moustaches, women drinking cask Moselle and men drinking Beer. Lots of tanned and red skin. Oh and everyone was smoking. I remember the highlight being the Conga line, streamers and horns at midnight. More Don's Party [even the politics spoken] than Abigail's Party. 1980 would bring a whole decade of school and ‘the bright future’. Whatever that was.

Then NYE 1989. I had finished lower school with only 2 more to go, Love shack was just on the radio [destined to be a hit] and I was 15 with a fringe from hell, at a house party in the suburbs. The women had moved onto perms and chardonnay, while the men still on beer. It had been a big year in an even bigger decade. We saw the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Cold War was over apparently]. We also saw [the rise and rise and subsequent] fall of the stock market and about to head into a murky recession. And fash was still mental. I remember all the teenage kids were all hanging out near the pool taking shit and embarrassed for our parents. Midnight came - no dancing - but well wishes for the new decade. I made a plan that night that I was going to fall in love before the next year eve. And I did. I just didn’t know at the time it was going to be with a man.

Next was 1999 and I didn't party like the song suggested. I was at a very grown up private house party in the right bit of South Yarra. It was champagne with a view of the fireworks at midnight with people I didn't know and never saw again. Pleasant, smart but restrained -a little disappointing for the end of the decade/century & millennium. In bed by 1am. Alone. It summed up the last 10 years for me – trying to do the right things and being myself. Struggling to find my own way in the world. Coming out and all the drama with it - especially with my family. Going to university, finishing my degree and then never using it. A 3 and a half year relationship that fizzed out and a string of jobs I was never really happy with. The new decade/century & millennium was going to be a fresh start.

And the last 10 years have been. Personally and professionally they have had their challenges but many triumphs. The last year has been much harder than the rest as much has happened, especially with our families, work and each other. [NB I wanted to originally use this blog for most of my personal experiences but even I can’t go into these details as they are too personal and private. I think there is something to be said to share your life, but you always need to have some of it private for personal sanctuary].

So NYE 2009. We are going to be in Perth. No plans. And it doesn’t matter as it’s just another day in the big scheme of things. But it’s good to reflect on the years past. And welcome in the new one, no matter what it brings.

Have a safe holiday and I'll be back in 2010.

X b

B52s LIVE: They came from Planet Clare

Melbourne has many old theatres. Most of these grand old dames have been revamped and rebuilt in the last few years. Their beauty restored but in this process they have lost some of their character. Some may say that it was that lived in look, so to speak. One still remains that has not had a spit and polish - still rusty, dusty and musty, like something out of an old movie. Given its age I’m not surprised if you see the ghost of Norma Desmond herself on any given night peering out of one of the towers balcony on Flinders Street haunting the corner below. The building is from a forgotten bygone era, the paint is cracked and its guarding gargoyles saddened by its faded glory. And its one of my favourites in town as it's still got 'it'.
Unlike its sisters in the trade which now stick to strictly musicals and the suchlike, The Forum still plays a variety of entertainers. Its forte are comedians [see Melbourne comedy festival] and live music. It’s not surprising that that band once described as the new wave kiddie rock punk band – The B52’s came to play. After the support act of the Proclaimers [Lady Norton - my date du jour - was pleased to hear them sing about their in-common hometown of Leith] the 30+ aged crowd was getting very excited by the headline act.

Now I have been an avid fan since the 80’s of this band and have been waiting to see them live since then. Yes it did start with Love shack [Even Rocklobster was before my time] but then I collected all their previous albums and listened to music that I never would have heard before [52 girls, Dance this mess around and Devil’s in my car to name a few]. My taste in music up to then consisted of Olivia Newton John, Bananarama and Wham [yes I way too gay beyond my years]. The success of the Cosmic thing album made them a worldwide household name. This after a long journey through tough gigs [The Mudd Club in NYC- the same era but the antithesis of Studio 54] music experimentation [Whammy & Mesopotamia to name a few], tragic loss [Cindy’s brother Ricky, the fifth band member sadly died of AIDS in the 80’s] and not to forgot all those god damn wigs.

So after donning three champers and a few pink frozen cocktails [aptly named Love shack] with the Lady Norton, the sound technician made his final checks and we are waiting for the countdown. Lights flash and Keith Strickland suddenly comes bounding out first. Now I have always fancied Keith – something about tall cute men. However I didn’t recognise him as Keith has decided to mix his look now into Goth & Marilyn Manson inspired- not what I remembered. Next was Fred Schneider - Fred did look like a very mad old homo and appeared not so happy to be there. But in fairness Fred was always the serious one and always looked like a mad old homo. But I was then nervous. Would Cindy Wilson just look like a Drag queen and Kate Pierson look like her mother - Goth like Keith and angry Fred troubled me so. Would they sound as good as I had heard so many years ago? Was their paint cracking ? Then the girls appeared, looking...so fine – sequins, feathers , 1960's frocks and those wigs – exactly what I thought they would look like. Good. No mothers of Drag Queens here. Good. Now breathe in and let them play.

They started singing. And they were...amazing. Fucking awesome actually.

Yes they are older [Jesus who isn’t] but their energy is still there. That very same energy they had when I heard them so many years ago in my teenage bedroom in Hamersley [so another story there but I digress]. And they played a variety of songs too [who doesn’t like a music buffet cooked up by their favourite band ?] Mesopotamia was earthy and rich while Private Idaho was punchy and exciting. Fred’s commanding lyrics in Strobe light made me shiver. Cindy singing Give me back my man ['Cindy Ill give you fish to sing that song again] and both of the girls blasting out Roam was so bloody fantastic it brought the house down. Lady Norton even managed to get us down to the front for the encore - Planet Clare & Rocklobster no less. So I did manage to Dance this mess around...and do all 16 dances.

They still got 'it'. I hear that even Norma was seen in the tower shimmying in a Lurex gown that night.

Movie Review:2012 [What a disaster]

Now before I launch into a one woman show about the state of films in 2009 and Hollywood and unoriginality – I want express my love – love love love for disaster films. My first disaster film was Towering Inferno – the mega skyscraper in the skyline of San Francisco that bursts into flames – a stellar cast of actual somebody’s – Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire, Richard Chamberlain to name but a few – I remembering watching it on TV in the early 80’s and loved it [I was also pleased that it was made in the year of my birth but I digress]. Likewise the Poseidon Adventure – that giant boat hit by the tidal wave - you can’t forget Shelley Winters performance and her swimming medal or the fact that the tables stuck on the ceiling – and Airport with the glamorous soap opera styling that lead to a string of sequels [I will try to forget about Karen Black landing the plane in a later sequel].

In recent years they have remade Poseidon [which was not a copy rather a good film in its own right] and [thankfully] also revamped the genre to suit audiences tastes – look at Cloverfield – Godzilla with Blair Witch styling’s and a good storyline. Or Titanic – the love story where the boat sinks [minus the fact that a woman of breeding would never flip the bird but that’s James Cameron for you] Now with CGI the disasters actually look real – and that much more scary because they do look believable.

But [back to the rant] for every Poseidon or Inferno – there is an Earthquake [please they just shook the camera and pushed over Ava Gardner] and Independence Day [the least I say about that waste of time, film and my life seeing that the better]. And unfortunately 2012 is not so much the ship hitting the iceberg – it’s really the giant moth of 1960’s Japanese disaster film Mosura laying the giant egg of a celluloid stinker in your local theatre.

So your basic premise of any disaster the film is the actual disaster and the effects – generally the best of that year of the film release [Even I have to admit Inferno is now dated and clearly a lego model - but at the time totally believable ]. Now I must admit that 2012 effects are extraordinary. LA plunging into the sea, tidal waves the size of Mt Everest, earthquakes to swallow Las Vegas and a Volcano to rival the destruction of Pompeii – well that is worth seeing on the big screen for – hands down.

But with any movie it’s also about the story - essentially the story of survival for disaster films. Now you need to choose your stars and their characters wisely as you want them to survive and you want to cheer when they do. 2012 - I couldn’t care less if all of the characters were swallowed up by the sea and you just watched more destruction of the Earth due to the alignment of planets [as predicted by the Mayan’s – that’s the premise]. Poor script, poor characters and poor choice of stars. Hands down.

I hope the next blockbuster disaster film won’t be so [insert own cliche here] If you go – go on a 2 for 1 deal or similar and only go for the effects.

2 natural disasters out of 5 [again only for the CGI].

You Tube:Michael Jackson Fail

I promised I would not post anything MJ related however I saw this hot guy dancing..let alone the ending...will post proper next time folks.

You tube: Tron [pt 2]

Ok now being it forward 28 years with digital effects but the same concept in 3D...hottest film tipped for 2010.

Decade

Firstly this is not about Duran Duran. Sorry Eddy, Paula and Bek.

Secondly [to completely change the subject] I don’t talk about work here...and won’t ever – I truly believe in separating work and home life – true work life balance - let alone now talking about people or work and getting in strife with HR – oh no not for me. I still won’t talk about work with the exception of this brief entry. So saying that I got to work this morning and received an email stating that I had been there for 10 years.

Shit.

I knew it was coming up but would you believe it I completely forgot the actual start date [well it was 10 years ago]. It’s funny how it happened. I moved to Melbourne a few years before and after working at a hotel for 6 months I then started working at a bank. I worked a 5 day week and then worked my weekend at the hotel for almost 3 years. The plan was to work as hard as possible to save money [for travel, rainy day stuff etc] but instead I managed to blow it all on...well...shit.

Well after working 6 sometimes 7 days a week it took it out of me...I had enough of both and applied for a new job – completely new field and industry [that will remain nameless - see above] and low and behold got it. That was October 11th 1999. In the last decade of the old millennium. I thought [after being at a hotel and bank for 3 years –my longest employers then to date] I would work there for 2 years or more then transfer to Sydney then move on [ at the time i had a lot of friends in Sydney and thought I would become another queen in the Harbour city].

Well that didn't happen did it.

Well what has happened since October 1999...[workwise]

10 years at the same employer also 10 years of a cash bonus [thankyou very much]
9 different managers [well at least]
8 different roles
7 Xmas party attendances [even I had to have a few years off]
6 actual different jobs
5 declined internal jobs
4 restructures
3 divisional moves and 3 different offices
2 secondments
1 management program
Countless workmates & work related piss ups

Its funny that’s all happened in 10 years – 30 years ago that might have happened over someone’s entire career[with the exception of the Xmas Party attendance]. Thank god I like my job, the people I work with and company I work for. And after receiving a nice gift and almost 2 and a half months off [hopefully for travel I missed out in my 20's as I spent my money on shit] to take sometime soon. Its so been worth it.

Then I realised...I have been working full time for almost 13 years [part time/casual for 8 years prior to that due to studies] and now as I’m 35 years old [I hate it when people usually over 50 call themselves x years young- you’re old you old fart no matter what age]...and now that retirement age in OZ will be at least 70 for my generation...I have another 35 years left of working life.

Shit.

You Tube:Food Court Musical

This is what really happens when people start singing in normal life...not like they do in the musicals...v.funny though.

UP, up and away

Firstly I want to start by saying I love animation. Period.

It’s a shame that I can’t remember the first actual animation film I watched as a child. However I do remember Dot & the Kangaroo (well known to OZ Gen Xers). Crappy animation but tear jerker of an ending. Yes of course I remember the Disney films well (an avid viewer of Sunday nights Wonderful world of Disney – after countdown no less). I can’t say I had a favourite of Disney as I liked them all...well until I watched Beauty & the Beast many years later (I discovered it after all the hype – so I missed out on the musical but saw it on ice – can you imagine 2 X 30 something gay men in a sea of children yelling Brava for a teapot skating on ice...but I digress).

But animation (cartoons in my day) shifted from hand drawn Aristocats, Cinderella, The Rescuers etc to the technological animation advances like Toy Story. Smart funny and full of toy nostalgia – aimed at kids (or Gen Xers?). There was the multicoloured brilliance of Finding Nemo... tropical fish are that alive when it comes to their colour. Then the tiny details of Bugs life – the antennae of the ants alone were fantastic. The bar was raised when the classic post war modern styled The Incredibles. Edna (clearly based on Hollywood costume designer Edith Head) I fell in love with the moment she poked her tiny head/massive bob cut on the screen. Of course there are always the shit ones like Cars – so Yawn - but generally these films are an exploration of ideas and technology telling a story.

UP is yet another great animation film. Simply one man’s life dream to visit a remote jungle in South America and the old travellers he grudgingly collects along the way. The characters are funny and likable. The story is sweet - but not that Disney sugar coated nonsense - just a pleasant tale.

Now Disney ( or I should say PIXAR) have raised the bar yet again. The colours used in this film are amazing. The balloons and that bird even beat the palate of Nemo. I think they stole Florence Broadhurst old wallpaper catalogue (I’m reading her biography at the moment hence the reference but more of that later) Actually the Bird and the dog steal the show. I especially liked when the bird impersonates the old man...too funny. There are many hilarious moments in this film - The dogs with their talking collars is very clever – The main cute mutt you want to adopt, even if you are a cat person.

Anything else would be telling too much. This is a film that will easily universally be accepted for any age group – entertaining for the kids as well as the adults (or should I say Gen Xers taking their kids/nephews & nieces/ Partners). Yes like Dot & the Kangaroo there are sad moments – minus the crappy animation of course...making UP Pixar’s best film to date. Period.

4 and a half balloons of out 5.

You Tube:Air New Zealand Ad

You may need to watch this ad a few times for the penny to drop - very clever. Next post will be proper post as been super busy. X b

Ýou Tube: Song For a Future Generation

For my 250th post I would like to celebrate with the B-52's with a song now over 25 years old- once described as the original new wave kiddie punk rock band - still dancing and messin around...and I finally get to see them in December! Will they do all 16 dances?

Movie review: Project 9

Now I have been told that I get things mixed up...occasionally. I once got Margo Kidder mixed up with Stockhard Channing with a character ‘Margo Channing’ – played by Bette Davis in All about Eve. Just recently I have been calling HBO The wire – Wired. And I thought singer Kate Perry was also actress Zooey Deschanel [ yes who? Fooey the Chanel?] Hence why I mixed them up.

And so when I got the new disaster flick 2012 mixed up with Project 9 this was no surprise to Andrew. We sat there in the cinema and it dawned upon me [ this after booking & purchase of the tickets as well as the buckets of popcorn the size of our bodies] that yet again I mixed the movies up after the trailer of 2012 came on prior to the film.

Set in current day Johannesburg South Africa, an alien spacecraft has been suspended in the air for the last 20 years packed full of aliens refugees. But don’t think this is a purely sci fi film. Its starts in the documentary hand held way to introduce the main characters – but this is not a mock-u-mentry. It’s also funny but this isn’t a comedy. Basically the government of the day is planning to move the alien precinct to 250Km outside of Joburg. The parallels to the world’s treatment of foreign or [alien] refugees in a post 911 world are quite obvious. But this is a not a social commentary film either. This mixed up film of genres makes you wonder what is going to happen or occur in the film – or what this film is really about.

Peter Jackson is the producer and his early films [before the Rings] were always very quirky and off the wall – look at ‘Meet the Feebles’’ & ‘Braindead’- funny yet dark and grim. But instead of the films just becoming being a gore or shock film, there is always as strong story line, and this is also apparent in 9.

Without telling more of the story or ruining the film, there is something going on with the aliens...and something much darker going on with the ominous military group of why they want the aliens to move. The main character is really the anti hero – and initially quite annoying. No big stars in this and thankfully so - you concentrate on the characters and story rather than the name.

There are some violent scenes in the film, but don’t be put off. The chase scenes will get your heart racing [the sci fi geek next to me was jumping around his seat and cheering when the 'badies' get shot but don’t be put off from seeing this film as that’s the crowd you get at the Victoria Gardens at the early session Saturday night – I digress] and the aliens are very realistic looking – not the wobbly plastic circa 1976 Doctor Who/Blake 7 type at all. I was also genuinely convinced of all of the South African accents - not like Meryl in Out of Africa – all mixed up in a wrong way. This film is all mixed up in the right way. And my dears there is nothing wrong about that.

4 shaken not stirred UFO’s out of 5.