What the......

You know the world is fucked when you see 12 year old kids staring at bongs and wanting to save up to get one. Where oh where did we go wrong?

The world in the future is gonna turn up to be one BIG REDNECK STATE.

People are riding the waves and not asking where it goes. It's fun of course, but up to a point.

Sorry for the weird post, its one of those days.

However, if Louis Armstrong was alive, he'd turn suicidal. Poor Satchmo.........

KOL

I really believe that Kings of Leon can save music, seriously. When I say that I mean fix the image, damaged by alot of what the recording industry has regurgitated out. My current obession with them can be likened to my infatuation with the Rock Gods of old.

Only by the Night, their new album has only consolidated their status in music's pantheon. It's like they keep getting better with each album. Another wonderful thing with this band is that they are literally a band of brothers; the 3 Followill siblings and their cousin. If you haven't listened to their stuff, please give it a go. Alot of their live stuff from this year's Glastonbury is awesome especially Knocked Up and Arizona (which is still my favourite song from them).

I hope and pray they make their way to Perth next year, that will seriously be something else.

Citius, Altius, Fortius

Those very words mean, Swifter, Higher Stronger and are the motto of the Olympic games and honestly speaking, they couldnt have said it better. The Olympic Games; what a time. I love every moment of it, from the Spectacular opening ceremonies to the bittersweet closing ones. Ever since 1992 Barcelona , when I was old enough to understand the games, I have loved it. Every moment. I still remember Freddie Mercury and that opera singer, Lady Caballet I think singing the Barcelona anthem. That has definitely got to be the best Olympic Anthem ever. As a kid, the games had a profound impact on me. It was an idea that was alien (Alien considering it was around this time that the world was rather deep in shit with Bosnia being raped, Afghanistan recovering from Russian claws, ironically thanks to American help, etc). The thought that people from all over the world gathered in a spot to compete without malice, adhering to rules like civilised beings astounded me.

I pay attention to all the events, but none grabs me more than the Track and Field ones. I watch ALL of them and I mean ALL. The shotput, the javelin, hammer, and don't even get me started on the running events, my favourite of the lot especially the 1500m. The comraderie, the sportmanship, the crowds cheering (no matter if you are first or last), it is truly a moment when you feel the world come together, seriously. As sugar coated and corny as it sounds, it's true la. I mean thats at least how it used to be. Even in ancient Rome, armies laid down their weapons to compete. Heck during World War 2, the Berlin games, Hitler actually halted his 'Ethnic Cleansing' to Stage the games (He was sorely dissapointed as Jesse Owens, a black American won 4 golds in Track. Hitler didnt even shake Jesse's hands and claimed that Negros should not be allowed to compete as they weren't human. All this coming from a man who killed himself in a bomb bunker, dumb fuck!).

Jesse Owens




At the Beijing Games, the Olympic code for peace is not being upheld. Russia is fucking up Georgia, US is making a puppet out of Poland, threatening Russian security all in the name of JOINT SAFETY and China won't let Tibet go. Ok I am making it sound as if the Beijing organisers are the cause of all this, they arent la for sure. In fact they have done a superb job. Easily one of the best games ever so far. But the Games has lost it's Sacredness and it's sad. I know my writing and frame of mind tends to sound idealistic, corny and sappy, but fuck that, haven't we as humans earned the right to demand a more ideal life, where we can appreciate things that were once sacred, to respect each other enough to lay down arms and treat each other as fellow competitors. Haven't we experienced enough wars to learn from them. Many of you may think, this has no significance on what is actually happening in our world these days, but it is so much more than that. It just shows that we are doomed as a race, doomed since the day we discovered fire, simple as that.

I still believe in the games. One of my dreams is to watch the Olympics live, to be part of the crowd who cheers on all competitors and not just your fellow countrymen. To be part of that euphoric atmosphere. To see your fellow humans up close, push and push and go beyond the limits of their body. Everyday of the past week has been lovely, come back after class or work and just watch the games. Plus track and field has just started. It's things like this that give me hope in the human race.

China is currently in the lead with 26 golds while USA trails behind with 14 golds. At this point, I think it will be hard even for USA to catch up, even with the upcoming track events, cause they are so many underdogs who look like they can give the Yanks a run for their money. We'll see how it goes la, come what may, it's gonna be thrilling. Just a pity Haile Gebreselassie isnt running the marathon. Triathlon's coming up too.

I really hope in some way, this post has inspired you to believe in the games a wee bit more, because there is nothing more beautiful than people coming together, living and competing like brothers in arms. 2 weeks of comraderie, 2 weeks of seeing beyond all our man-made barriers and seeing eye to eye with each other. Rejoice my
friends, the Games are on!

Some of my fav Track and Field Olympians. Watch their videos on youtube. Awesome stuff


Abebe Bikila, won the marathon in 1960 and 1964. Won the 1960 marathon running barefoot on a cobblestone route. The man who started the African long distance monopoly in the Olympics.



Emil Zatopek, the insane Czech long distance runner who won the 5k, 10k and the marathon (his first ever marathon of his life) in the 1948 olympics. Used to train by running long distances in his army boots or carrying his wife on his back. Used to grimace like he was being tortured to death and pant and wheeze audibly. When asked about it, he just said, 'it's not like it's gymnastic or figure skating. I train to run hard not run pretty'.



Steve Prefontaine, no intro needed. Never won an olympic medal but broke more records than any other Olympian.


My favourite, Sebastian Coe, easily the best 1500 m runner ever. Won 1500 back to back in 1980 and 1984. Few months before the 1980 olympics, within a span of 41 days, he won and broke World Records for the 800m, 1500m and the mile. Breaks world records like cracking peanuts.

Awake, please awake.

This is something else, simple yet straight to the point, but one can only wonder how much of an effect it had. 16 years on, and things are worst. Btw this is David Suzuki's daughter and if you don't know David Suzuki, don't deprive yourself further, go read up on him.

It's bittersweet to be back, but I am content.

Kinda think I do

My sis has good taste in music.



The weather has gone gloomy in a good way and yes there is such a thing as good gloomy weather.
Brisbane here I come.

Obey the LAW!! and Hold On!!!!!

There is always one book I can go back to, time and time again (well apart from the Roald Dahl stuff) and that's H.G Wells Island of Dr Moreau. I only came to know about the book after the movie was released. Now to alot of you out there, the movie sucked, but I loved it. It was so damn primal and basic yet intricately complexed...ironies are the best aren't they?

But back to the book. I never really was a fan of H.G Wells. Food of the Gods was good, but too heavy and honestly laced with too many scientific details. War of the Worlds is my only other favourite though still a tad packed with academic language.

But in Moreau, Wells took a different approach, a very human one, and needless to say an emotional one. The protagonist, Mr Prendick (charming name eh?) is the uncle of the narrator and the novel basically recounts what happened when Prendick disappeared after he was shipwrecked. His adventures start when he is rescued by a chap who goes by the name Montgomery (who was brilliantly played by Val Kilmer in the movie). Montgomery is on his way back to an Island where he stays. Prendick has no other choice but to tag along. Thus begins his fall into a sort of a twisted reality, a reality created by Dr Moreau (played by Marlon Brando and is probably one of his last great works), a renowned doctor but also one with twisted and hellish visions. Dr Moreau is an expert on vivisection, which is basically means any experiment conducted on a live animal. But back in the days of Wells, it more specifically referred to live experimental cutting or incision performed on an animal. Moreau proceeds to humanise his animals, creating Chimeras or hybrid beasts. Of course these days, we would just scoff at such a suggestion, cause we know it's not possible unless some genetic manipulation using very advanced technology (which was the basis for the movie adaptation) is used. He basically alters their limbs initially to make them more human-like. By doing so, Moreau believes the newly found skill of digit manipulation will affect the way the animal brain thinks, making it more human. Prendick has the unfortunate luck of seeing a puma being vivisected and it's what drove him from the shelter of Moreau to the jungle, where he finally understands what Moreau is trying to achieve; a recreation of the perfect Beast Person. In his quest to do so, he has created whole colonies of Beast People, each one unique, some more human than others, even capable of speech, and some just lifeless bags of tissue.

Ok, enough of all the boring scientific stuff. Basically Moreau plays God (or Satan if you wish) and Montgomery is the perfect second in command to this re-creation of Hades. Prendick is of course the perfect observer though this almost costs him his sanity. Moreau teaches his 'children' about the law;

Not to walk on all fours; That is the Law

Not to taste blood; That is the Law

Well that's just small part of Moreau's gospel and the basis for his House of Pain (yes, torture and humiliation to those who break the LAW!), but what he is trying to achieve here is to fully humanise his 'Children' and prevent them from reverting back to their primal nature. He has also recreated the beasts to all have 4 digits or less on each forelimb. This is a way the Beast people can differentiate themselves from their 'rulers'. Hence when Prendick stumbles upon the colony of Beast People living in the jungle for the first time, the Beast People know that he is of Moreau's kind and know that no harm must befall the 5 Digit man.

At first all seems peaceful (though Prendick does have some rather interesting descriptions for the living conditions and the physical state of the Beast People), but things take a twist when one of the Beast People break the Law. From this point on, Moreau's omnipresence slowly disintegrates and the Beast People take things into their own hands, though of course this does not go down smoothly. The Law means nothing and Chaos takes over to deal it's hand. Montgomery's character is the most interesting as he appears to be the most stable 5 digit man around, until the last few chapters, where he pretty much becomes beast-like himself. And who can blame Prendick for freaking out and running around scared shitless. Just imagining his position can cause a person to break into cold sweat, though I must say he managed very well indeed.

I do not know if H.G Wells had Seer-like abilities but this novel makes total sense especially regarding the human race at this point in time now. Honestly speaking, except for their deformities, we can see Beast People everywhere we go and of course there are numerous Moreaus around. All dedicated to glorifying themselves, regardless of ethics. In some ways you got to admire them for they care not what others think. I guess some people would just call it being thick-faced. The novel is a perfect study on human nature.

So yea, do yourself a favour and pick the book up. It's an awesome read. Read the book, then watch the movie again. Might not seem so bad after all.

While on the topic of H.G Wells, I would like to tell you a little something about War of the Worlds. Sure Spielberg churned out a rather OK adaptation with Tom Cruise. Personally I did not enjoy the movie, not the best adaption I guess. However if we rewind back a few decades, you will be surprised to find that War of the Worlds was originally made into a radio show by a chap who goes by the name of Jeff Wayne. This was back in the 1978. Jeff used music to re-tell this tale, and by golly, the music is something else. It was originally narrated by Richard Burton. It's roughly 90 minutes long. It's just brilliant. As of now, they are still trying to turn it into a movie. Back in 2006, Jeff Wayne did a tour in England and Ireland. A virtual Richard Burton was projected onto the screen as a full orchestra led by Jeff Wayne proceeded to capture the imagination of people once again. Sheer genius. H.G Wells would be proud.

Have a good weekend folks.

About time

Finally a Microsoft Word we can all relate to;

I AM IRONMAN!!!

Yes, Ironman was awesome, all fell in place beautifully. Robert Downey Jr was aweseome. Enough said.

Now all I need to do is find some paladium.

Damn, that was long

Yeap, too long a delay, but it's not like you guys are paying. Without further ado, some pics from summer and pics from here since I got back in Feb. Here's a shout out to my sis who is in Melaka doing a really cool turtle conservation project with WWF. Proud of you cub.

New stuff

Just 2 updates;

1. Have got a Flickr account, so most of my pics are there as it is easier to manage. It's at http://www.flickr.com/photos/vprem

2. Write up on the Santana concert is up on www.mojofm.blogspot.com Pics will be up soon on tt site as well.

Have a good weekend

Here we are again

Yes, as you can tell I am back in Perth. Surprisingly summer is pretty cold, it has been really cold at nights and the mornings give the illusion of an autumn one. Not complaining la, though I prefer the heat than the cold anytime. Apparently this freakish weather is due to a cyclone up north, like way up north near Exmouth (look it up on a map.


Today the weirdest thing happened. I took my bike out for a ride after a long time. Was heading back when I saw a group of girls sitting in circles outside a house. One of them stopped me, walked up to me, hugged me and said, 'Jesus loves you'. I was dumbfounded and this feeling escalated as the rest of the girls joined in to wish me. I just told them, 'Jesus loves you too' and rode off with a wide grin. Must have been a dare or something.

Did not get that library job, apparently that window closed last September. So in the midst of finding a 2nd job. Really need it if I am going to go to Borneo middle of the yr. Planning to follow Grant to track some pygmy elephants, then go to Rainforest Music Festival with my cousins, then get my diving license. So as you can see, I need the finances. We ll see how it goes.

Summer was just lovely. I ll summarise it with pictures in the next entry la. Think I might just change this to a photo blog. See first.

Lessons for the day; Carole King is a goddess and Chris Rea is a god. Just go and listen. Carole King has an awesome live album; The Living Room Tour and Chris Rea has an awesome album; Road to Hell.