Inline Skating

I got into Inline skating in Canberra. Australia. The area around Lake Burley Griffin is awesome for blading.

I taught myself but I need some lessons to take it further. I did it mainly for fitness. A good 40 minute session could cover vast distance.

I had some K2 skates that were very comfortable compared to others. http://www.k2skates.com/

Talking Heads

The Psyco Killer is David Byrne

The baggy suit is synonymous with the band. They are very creative and explored unusually melody and rhythm.

Are we really on a road to nowhere?

Simple Minds!

Simple Minds had a big impact on me. Just listen to this.

Up on the Catwalk was one of the first songs I heard.

I was hooked.

Waterfront is my favourite.!

I think Its also used in Underworld's Under the Radar. But that song is so cool it deserves its own post.

Speed your love to me. now is used in the intro to Austrlia's ABC music show RAGE.

I saw them live in 199X and they were awesome!

So many good songs.

All the things she said. shows Charlie's awesome guitar work along with Somewhere in Summertime.

Alive and Kicking was the most popular I guess.

Promised you a miracle. and Glittering Prize were a bit of the mod squad. Book of brilliant things was cool too.

Belfast child was also cool. I like how it goes off in the middle but I never got into Mandella day..

This is your land has some nice instrumental work at 3:42... fat bass and slide guitar

The other thing I love about Jimmy's voice is that.... I can sing these songs. Just the right key for me.

Basically just get all their albums.

Noiseworks

Take me back , it's been a long time.... since I heard this. 1987 ish album was great

But the best one is No lies. Awesome groove. There are many great songs from Noiseworks.

1988's Touch has an awesome video location and Burning Feeling is solid.

I love the awesome guitar work from Stuart Fraser. One of those guys that can rock a combined rhythm and lead track at the same time with a melodic solo. Awesome.

John stevens is a Kiwi but Aussies adopted him well.  The band lost direction and disbanded later. Early music still inspirational.

1927

Here is the start of a long journey through my favourite Australian bands. Some mainstream, some obscure.
But for those non aussies. The music is good, but it only goes so far. Promotion is important.

Band:1927 Album:Ish

If I could and That's when I think of you are soft rock at its best.

Re-union tour is on. http://www.nineteen27.com/

Russ.

Architectural Dreams and Reality.

A bit of a tribute to those that inspire us. A few hundred years ago it was only the kings and governments of the world that could create special buildings. These days architecture is a competition that turns concrete and steel in to a place for dreaming.

Next time you walk down the street, have a think about who created the spaces you enjoy.

Enigma - MCMXC a.D.

Enigma basically means Mystery and the Album means 1990A.d.

I was strongly influenced by the music in this album. As a lot of others were. It was different. At a time when earphones were almost permenantly in my ears the different layers in the music and the strong beat really kicked it. It was easy to relax to this music.

The other part of this piece was the imagery. super cool in its day.

Wikipedia explains it better than me.

Enigma - MCMXC a. D.(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4).  If you don't like it... too bad.

Russ.

Latin dancing and Let's get loud

On a trip to Mexico I went to a bar in a small town Oxaca. I ordered my beer "Dos Equis Clara Por Fabor." Anyway, the club was filled with latin music and people spinning everywhere.

After about 10 mins of watching this the music changed to modern pop and the mood died. No one was dancing, and it seemed most people left. Kind of like a western nightclub before everyone gets drunk.. Boring.

So as I waited to get drunk I wondered what this dance was. Salsa...?

I did eventually learn a lot of Salsa and others but subsequently forgotten.
I must have heard This JLO song about 5000 billion times in the studio.

It's fun and you can be cool with just a few steps and you don't have to go for the competition style either. May have to dust off the shoes soon.

Dont Pretend

OK, Today at work some music was around, and someone asked If I knew the words to this song.

So I just started singing it. How do I remember it... Well I was 8 years old in 1979 and while I was not too interested in girls yet... I guess my older brother was. Because his record collection was filling with hot chicks of the 70's.

Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders was filling our shared room every moment and I guess he thought she was singing straight to him. "I gotta have some of your attention."

I do remember being at elementary school though, and my female teacher was singing it. I think she was a little surprised when I started singing with her. Haha. thats an old memory.

"Got a new skank... gonna reet"???? WTF

I watched the video again.... dude... check the boat suspension on the pink caddie when it stops. Elegance... haha.

Tetsu Bentley Continental GTR

Now, If I were a famous dude. I would flaunt the fame. No plain jane for me.

I'd have this Bentley Continental as a daily runabout.

The problem is I'd need a few to keep my disguise... haha.

How about this awesome black one.

Or this awesome green one.

Russ.

Bathurst 1000

I touched on Bathurst a few posts back, but with the V8's in my head. I though I'd finish with the ultimate race for V8 lovers. Bathurst again.

A great intro from Russell Crowe

A qualifying Lap.

Lownes across the top.

Bathurst 2009 last 3 laps were a pretty close finish after a re-start.

Up the Hill

Down the hill

Across the line.

V8 Brutes

V8 Brutes is a series in itself that started as a support for V8 supercars. But it became quite popular for door to door bashing.

Close Racing is always on show as the formula is set. The only real difference is driver ability.

This Promotion footage is cool.

These cars are basically the same as their sedan namesakes and have good performance. They get light in the rear for some slidey slidey too.

And a big off at bathurst. Here too at Darwin.

http://www.v8utes.com.au/

VB V8 Challenge

The Australian V8 Super car series has a support event sponsored by the VB beer company.

It's basically 4 cars. 2 Holdens and 2 Fords in a driver challenge.

1 Ford Falcon V8 sedan and 1 Falcon V8 Ute.
1 Holden Commodore V8 Sedan and 1 Commodore V8 Ute

These cars take ride along passengers.
They are driven by selected V8 Supercar drivers who do Burnouts until the tyres blow.

I don't know if there's a winner or not and most people don't care.
Theres also a slolom event but I don't think anyone really cares about that.

Smoke on!

VB

Since I posted about Lamb... it needs Beer to go with.

A hard earned thirst needs a big cold beer. and the best cold beer is Vic, Victoria Bitter.
mmmm.
This music from the first 1984 Ad (1996) has been brought up with a little class. and no class.

Aussie Beer Education.

Tinnie = Can
Stubbie = 375ml Bottle
Tallie or Long Neck = 750ml Bottle

In a bar on tap.
weak arse drinker orders a Middy or Pot = 10fl oz or 285ml Glass
regular drinker is a Schooner = 15fl oz or 425 ml Glass
with friends order a Jug = 40floz 1140ml Jug

These all differ but everyone knows these basics.
British style pubs carry Halfs and Pints.

Bar lesson.
Customer: "I have a Schooner of VB for me and Pot of Gold (XXXX lite) for me mate, he's driving."
Barman: "No worries mate."

In OZ. 0.05% blood alcohol is acceptable when driving.

Lamb chops

This Aussie Lamb commercial is about Australia Day traditions. Strange but somewhat true. About 50 years ago. It's borderline racist... Experts say nationalistic. Anyway.... Sam goes on to promote himself here.

But he is right sometimes.

You don't need name brands like Greg Normans Japanese Wagyu steak or any name crap.
You don't need marinades or sauce. Just eat the meat!

GIVE ME LAMB CHOPS!

Frankie Goes to War.

Frankie Goes to Hollywood were a bit controversial in their day. Two tribes, Relax and Welcome to the pleasure dome are all awesome tracks. They even did a remix of WAR

I love the excrutiatingly long intros and simple repetitive beats. Holly Johnson was cool but the reast of the band produced some pretty funky music behind him.

I love this live version in their Record Labels Trevor Horn Tribute. Ryan Molloy who replaced Holly was still cool.

This is the Banned Album Cover.

Bathurst

OK. Bathurst. Well I grew up glued to the TV watching the group C racing. Then the RX7 entered and I was in Heaven. 3 Wins in a row. I drove the track in MY FC Rx7 and My Datsun 16/1800. And its great.

Just check this. Watch it a few times and look around the track also. Elevation is amazing. Downhill straight is awesome. The video shows the difference between lightness, power and a mix in the RX7.

Australia Terraforming Plan

Basically, Australia is a huge desert with some pretty bits around the outside and lots of expensive bits underneath. In the future there will probably be a resource war or for land space and UAE, India or China will take over. Even if the above doesn't occur there will be a population explosion sometime.

With thirst for creating usable land. It makes sense to terraform the worst bits into something usable. All the surrounding land should be effected and become healthy. So what are the steps.

Well,

1. Prepare the soil.

Dig a big trench up the guts and use that stuff to make a couple of mountain ranges extracting all the good bits along the way.

2. Seed

Build a few cities along the edges and connect them all to the rest of Australia's cities with air trains or maglev personal travel rails (more on these later)

3. Fertilize

Open an entry to the sea. This will allow for the solar EV boats to glide in carring all the good bits away. It should also combat the rising sea water issue a little. (more on that later too)

4. Grow

We don't actually need to do this part.

But you could bring in the people bots. Or just clone some. your choice.

Russ.

Smashing Pumpkins - Cherub Rock

Cherub Rock Rocks with a heavy distortion and a cool groove.

Billy has a pretty interesting guitar style.

For something more mellow, try Disarm. both from Smashing Pumpkins siamese dream.

Satch Boogie

Need a little speed funk screaming fusion pick me up?!

Satch Boogie is what you need.

The Sudden Death Love Electric Sun Cult

Ian Astbury... is a Revolution and The cult have basically simple music that sounds great.

The LOVE album launched these guys in the UK but before that their music of the Sudden / Death Cult was still awesome. Resurrection Joe... Funky Awesome Heavy Cool!

"Hot Sticky Scenes... You know what I mean!" Rain.

But the kicker was She sells Sanctuary & Live in 1985! The Howling Mix was also released.

Most of these songs are similar as guitarist Billy Duffy was uniquely cool, Jamie Stewart kicked in too.

Love Removal Machine launched the ELECTRIC Era and The Album art continued their themed album releases.

Wild Flower

Lil' Devil

I loved the artwork and copied it onto my guitars and cases.

After this he kind of got better.,

Edie brought them more mainstream success after they cleaned up a bit and Billy got much better for the Sonic Temple. I pre-ordered and got the T-Shirt.
I must have played it 100000000 times. But purists like me love the rawness of the early stuff.

RA28 Love!

This RA28 / TA22 Celica takes me back. The first car I bought myself was a RA30/TA23 LT 1600 GT after having won $1700 on the lottery. Yehaa! It was cool, but nothing like this. This is Uber Cool!

The TRD front and rear spoilers and over fender flares change the coolness factor off the scale!

The dished steel wheels and stretched rubber looks fun. 185/55/13 somehow looks big.

This car is for sale for just over $10000 dollars in Japan as prices are a bit inflated for older cars and although the body looks ok, the interior and engine are far from great.

Fully restored cars sell for around $50000 and over in Japan. and Older Skylines and Fairlady ZG240Z are selling for over $150000 these days.

If I return to my roots, This sounds like a future daily driver project. With a modern 2.0L ish or Renesis engine swap decent power/brakes and some airconditioning. Excellent.

For more Uber coolness. Check out these from Takeeys Japan and their Stock

Domo Arigatou Mr Roboto

This is a part of western culture but surprisingly unknown in Japan.

If you ask someone about Mr Roboto "domo ......" they will probably say "arigatou"

Domo Arigatou Mr Roboto by the Styx.

It's a crazy thing that some of the most famous things about Japan are unknown inside.
Maybe it was resented upon release and banned or something.

And this song "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors is also unknown among my Japanese Friends. It's never available in Karaoke rooms.

Evolution is Over!

This post may take a while to explain, but basically Darwin's laws of natural selection finished many years ago.

While they may still apply in some small pockets of the world. Most of us have moved past evolutionary theories and are no longer dependant on the natural environment for survival. We are however dependant on other technologies. Because most of us don't have the hunting and gathering skills to survive. The need to reproduce has all but dissappeared as the world is bordering on massive overpopulation.

So whats to come?

We have about 500 years before we can create gods. yes thats right!

Ray Kurzweil is a respected guy who predicts Human Immortality in the 2020s but Ray's predictions are a bit premature.

If I were a respected person my theories may also be taken seriously. And they should be.

My own predictions lead to around 200 years before immortality is a viable and sustainable option due to financial, moral and economic factors, but it will certainly be experimented with in 20years.

Why? Because people want to!

My own timeline includes combinations of genetic shifts to where humans become a blend of species taking bone and muscular composision from other species (which may include aquatic ot airborne mammals or insect etc) as well as nano and cybernetic research where the "Future Human" species will include mechanical body or brain storage components or even manufactured living componentry, ie Blade Runner.

Combinations of these things will occur in the future as well as many other topics.

If you want to see what happens. You probably can.

Immortalitity still requires some kind of retention of the phisical mind however, but does not require the need for sex or reproduction. (Star wars General Grievous is a good example) It requires a mindshift to be satisfied with yourself and a logical progression to needs for maintaing New Manufactured species. Having already mentioned that most body componentry can be manufactured and potentially no need for Original Humans. Thios raises all kinds of what if scenarios.

IF there actaully turns out to be a "soul" (without a physical requirement) in what ever physical form surely the control over this "soul" will be the next limitation on the evolutionary scale.

With the ability for "everyone to know everything" through information sharing, surely these problems can be solved and the reliance on a matter or anti-matter may be irrellevant.

So I give that a rough unbased speculative estimate of 300 years past immortality to create a god.

So start thinking. Blow your own mind! Younger generations are already thinking about these things with video game titles exploring the acceptable boundaries.

Russ.

DIE PRIUS DIE!

Extreme Prius from Sweeden has nice paint and wheels. But.... It's STILL A PRIUS and they are fundamentally wrong. Even when it's crawling along the engine is running.

Top Gear Version 1, Top Gear Version 2 comparison on driving fast. Prius Fast... M3 slow.

Comedy...Version .... Stupid thinking.

Landspeed Racing. "It makes a difference when we are running with MAXIMUM THROTTLE ON THE ENGINE!!!!!" the engine!!!!! no mention of fuel economy to reach that speed.

And here is the final shite. where are all the CD figures for the Prius bodykits. I'm sure most will actually make the thing less fuel efficient.

There are so many anti-prius messages on the internet some of them with great suggestions on the correct directions to go. Almost none in Japan. Japanese people aren't really like that.

Save the world or save money... Fit vs Prius.