A survey to listen to...

Try this lovely survey. It's a good boredom buster, but a great boredom causer. Using only song names from one artist, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like and include me. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think!

Pick Your Artist: The Cat Empire
Are you a male or female: Voodoo Cowboy
Describe yourself: How To Explain
How do you feel: Sly
Describe where you currently live: Protons, Neutrons, Electrons
If you could go anywhere, where would you go: In My Pocket
Your best friend is: Down at the 303
You and your best friends are: Fishies
What's the weather like: Panama
If your life was a TV show, what would it be called: Days Like These
What is life to you: The Night That Never End
Your last relationship was: Nothing
Your fear: No Mountain
What is the best advice you have to give:Know Your Name
How I would like to die: Motion
My soul's present condition: Party Started
My motto: Wont Be Afraid

Cat xx

Let me take you down...

Last night I watched "Across the Universe" for the seventh or eighth time, and my intense love for it is not wearing off even one tiny bit. If you've never heard of it, "Across the Universe" is a movie musical about a bunch of young people in America during the Vietnam War. It's set to the music of The Beatles, so the word "awesome" comes to mind just writing about it.
A simple version of the plot would be that a group of young boys and girls in America get sucked in to and changed by the war and the revolution surrounding it. Lucy and Jude are the main characters really, closely followed by Max. As you can probably guess, there's also a love story between them(SHOCK). If you don't really like The Beatles I definitely think you can still enjoy it. The versions in the movie are extremely different to those by The Beatles, and the film has much more to offer than just the songs (though obviously they play a big part.
The acting in the film is also realllly good. The main characters are played by Evan Rachel Wood(Lucy), Jim Sturgess(Jude) and Joe Anderson(Max). Before the movie I'd only heard of Evan Rachel Wood (she was the lead in "Thirteen", another very good film), but they all do an incredibly good job. The boys are not at all bad looking either.
I won't give any of the details of the plot away. I will say that anyone of any age, either gender and with any interests should get up right now and go and buy/rent "Across the Universe". Why are you reading this? You should be getting up. GOGOGO!!!
Cat xx

The best day of 2009 is here...

Yes, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" was released in Australia today. Sadly, there are four whole days between when it comes out and when I get to see it and I doubt I'll be able to relax until I have. Those I know that have seen it seem to have enjoyed it. They had the same complaint that comes out each movie: they cut that out/ changed this. But I just thought, while reading a Miss Moi blog, that the Australian release of Harry Potter was the perfect occasion for a list. Here we go...
Reasons I Love Harry Potter"

Number One: It appeals to a large audience. Not just age wise, but gender wise and just personality wise in general. This means that I will be able to read and re-read, watch and re-watch the books and movies...forever.
Number Two: It's a great conversation piece. Awkward silence? Easily peasily fixed. Just bring up Harry Potter. Everyone has something to say: they love it, they hate it, they think it's overrated and wont dignify it by reading it. Whatever a persons view, there will always be some kind of conversation to be had, whether it be a squeal fest about how much you both love it or a debate.
Number Three: It created its own universe of magic and fantasy. I mean, until my twelfth birthday I was hoping that maybe, just maybe, Hogwarts existed, and maybe I would be accepted. I've also had the occasional Voldemort nightmare. Its just a completely new and beautiful world.
Number Four: The characters are loverly. I mean, Harry Potter himself annoys me a bit, but Ron, Hermione, Tonks, Luna, Ginny, Fred and George, Lupin, Sirius Black, Dumbledore and my lord the list goes on; these are people we(hardcore fans) have come to love. The boys are gentleman(I'm excluding Malfoy from this), and the girls have actual personalities.
Number Five: As an aspiring author, JK Rowling rise to fame and wealth has really given me hope. It's one of those inspiration things that I hold onto when I feel absolutely hopeless. If she can do it, so can I. That was not meant as an insult to JK, by the way.
Cat xx

Jane Austen, you crafty lady...

I've decided that I'm going to make myself a promise. For a long time I've been trying to make my way through "Pride and Prejudice". I find it difficult because the language confuses me quite a bit and it stops the flow of the story. As with so many other things though, I am determined. I find the most effective way of making myself do something is to have a specific goal. Generally when I set a goal I become quite stubborn about it. So, I Cat promise that by the end of the year I will not only have finished "Pride and Prejudice", but I'll also have read Northanger Abbey" and "Mansfield Park".

Maybe that doesn't sound too hard, but factoring in the time I'll need to read another book in between each and homework plus extracurricular commitments, I think that's all I can handle. Set a goal for yourself today. It's exciting, really.

Cat xx

Harry Potter...

Yesterday I attended a "Harry Potter" marathon at the Nova, and I have to say it was one of the greatest things I've done in ages. It ran from 9am to 11:20pm, however I had to leave at 5:05, after the third (a shame, but it was still a serious undertaking). I kind of assumed that by the end of the third I would be pretty much over it, but I absolutely wasn't. In fact I think I could have happily watched all five. It was really nice to be able to see the older movies that I haven't sat down to watch in ages.
Previously, I'd thought that the first two movies were pretty, well...bad. I feel shameful even saying it. Watching them again I see what a fool I was ever to doubt any film. It was awful of me. I'd say that out of the three I watched, my favourite was "Chamber of Secrets" (I'm a sucker for a flying car), but the third is a pretty close second. Not to say I didn't like the first. It's great too. And yes, the more recent ones have a few advantages over the earlier ones, but there's a certain charm that they are lacking. At this point I warn anyone who likes the Harry Potter movies but hasn't read the books to stop reading. Spoilers are ahead. I would also like to tell those people that they should read the books ASAP.
Having said that, I am SO excited for the release of "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince". It is after all the movie which brings together Harry and Ginny (Oh. My. God), as well as Ron and Lavender, which is an important step in Ron and Hermione's iconic relationship. The sixth book is also the book in which Dumbledore dies (I have tears in my eyes just typing it), so I know that even if it is bad, the next movie will be full of events. I. Can't. Wait.
Cat xx
PS- By the way, I'm a Harry Potter fan. Just a tad.
PPS- I would like to say that although I made little reference to them here, I really love the books. More than the movies.

I know of meaning, but what does that mean?

People so often talk about the meaning of life. This amazing secret that sums up our entire existence, but that we don't understand. Personally, I never understood that kind of thing. It feels natural to me that there is no meaning of life. It's not just my atheism that forms this view , although that probably plays a part. It's just that I think that if there was a meaning of life, ironically enough, that would take the meaning out of life. What if we found out our life had a single meaning? So many things would then seem trivial, things that we previously loved. I like to think that I have complete control over my life and that I choose the meaning. That in itself is mind blowing.
Cat xx

Beaches in winter...

I realise this is incredibly belated, but I'm so glad the holidays are here at last! The reason I've been absent for the past week or so is that I've been in Queensland! It was awesome. I never realised winter could be so warm. It was actually in the 20 degrees all the time. When I got back home to Melbourne I spent the next hour shivering!
I'd have to say that the highlight of the trip was Australia Zoo (because "Dreams come true at Australia Zoo!"). I saw a crocodile feeding presented by the Irwin family. It was actually really scary, I was close to standing up and screaming "I DON"T WANT TO BE ONE OF THE WITNESSES OF TERRI IRWIN'S DEATH". Luckily I controlled myself and even better: everyone was fine. I also got one of those snake photos with the snake around my neck with my auntie and sister. It was awesome.
Cat xx
P.S- You know what else is awesome? The word awesome. Awesome...

Happy thirtieth issue "Frankie"!

Considering I got this issue in the mail on Monday, I probably should have posted this already, but I haven't and so here I am to tell you all a little something about "Frankie" Issue 30.
The first thing I always check in "Frankie" is the art poster. The artist this issue was Ghost Patrol and the poster was a picture of a "little guy and his mystical creature sharing a milkshake". There's a red pattern behind the two of them, giving an otherwise simple picture some colour. In my opinion, it's one of the nicest posters they've had in a while.
Next I perusal over to "Frank Bits". Some of the highlights this issue included: Angus Stone, Mark Everett of The Eels, Jenny Wilson, some lovely badges and possibly the cutest scarf I have ever seen from Victoria n' Bird. But I'd have to say the real gem in these pages this time were an adorable pair of handmade shoes made from vintage materials by "Dames and Divas. Sigh.
The Photographer Alex Prager was featured and her pictures are serene to the point of unease and also awesome. There's something incredibly eerie about staged shots. "Music Talks" featured PJ Harvey and Peaches, neither of whom I know very well, but I've been meaning to give PJ Harvey a listen for a while now- clearly this was a sign. "Creative People" were "Creatives Outside the City Limits". Gabrielle Miller's shop "The Gigi Bazaar" really caught my eye- definitely worth a read.
The fashion this issue was very pretty but bothered me in the way magazine "winter" fashion always does: they all seem to think that slapping a pair of tights on under a dress makes it a winter outfit. Tights are not that warm.
My favourite articles this issue are "apologetics" by Jana Roose an ex-bully who's ever so sorry and "wasted words" in which Marieke Hardy gets her feminist on and asks why "the great literary drunks are all men".
But the happiest surprise I came upon this issue (except for possibly that adorable scarf) was "Homebodies". Already one of my absolute favourite sections, this issue it featured none other than the ab fab, ever so brill Sarah Blasko!
That's only a tiny fraction of what this issue holds. It's one of the best issues I've read (my favourites were 19 and 29 but this is coming in 3rd or 4th), and you should definitely get your hands on it before it gets cold....not that "Frankie" ever does.
Cat xx

I'm hounored, really I am...

It seems incredibly wrong that I'm being robbed of my education. Here at my school we have duty students. Today I'm on role which means that all day instead of being in class I have to go around to all the year nine and ten classes and take attendance. For me, this is awesome. I don't have to go to class and I still get most of each period off. Also, because all year tens are at work experience the job gets done in minutes and for the rest of the time I just read. So it's good for me. But what about the student who has a science test the next day and needs to revise? Or the one who ends up with a pile of homework that could rival Mt. Everest? There is some flexibility: you can swap days etc, but only so much can be done. In fact I think this means I'm going to fall behind in maths. I could swap...nah.
Cat xx

The beach smells strange these days...

I was in Healthy Lifestyles For Girls a while ago (a lovely class in every way *cough*) and I was talking to one of my friends and she smelled like the beach. I told her this, quite confused at the fact and it was as I was speaking that I realized: she was wearing sunscreen! It's that subconscious, that kind of association and I know its not just me because I've seen others make the same mistake and I must admit, I've wondered what was wrong with them, but nothing is. It's fascinating. People are so used to smelling sunscreen at the beach that anytime they smell it they wonder "Why does it smell like the beach?". I actually find it really nice, sort of bringing summer with me everywhere. I should really try wearing sunscreen! Apparently it's good for you in some way as well!!
Cat xx

Dum dum dee dum...

My absolutely favourite songs at this particular point in time...

1- Fun Fun Fun by The Beach Boys
2- The Good Old Days by Eels
3- Lonely Moon by The Cat Empire
4- Not Fair by Lily Allen
5- I Like You Better When You're Not Around by Kate Miller-Heidke
6- Father and Son by Cat Stevens
7- Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley
8- Trampoline by The Grates
9- Little Red by Kate Nash
10- Jackie Cooper by Little Red
11- Sausos and Tinnies by The Little Stevies
12- Homeward Bound by Simon and Garfunkle
13- Lazy Sunday by The Small Faces
14- Moondance by Van Morrison
15- Baba O'Riley by The Who
Cat xx
PS- This list follows no particular order.

The fact is, lip gloss should taste good...

I find it confusing and upsetting when non-living things deceive me without trying, and non-living things tend not to try. It makes me feel stupid. So when things smell delicious but taste disgusting it's very disgruntling. And what do I do when I am disgruntled by something? I post a blog list about it of course! So here are a few things that smell delicious, but which I have learned the hard way, taste disgusting...
1. Cocoa- Ahh it smells so chocolaty and good and every time i take it out of my cupboard to make something the scent wafts so temptingly up to my nose I so want to taste some, give in to the draw, but on the occasions that I do, I end up spitting it into the sink. It's cruel really. How can something that smells so sweet taste so incredibly bitter???
2. Flowers- Now before you screw up your face in disgust and yell "She eats flowers??", note that I learnt how disgusting they taste at a very young age. But still it's ever so sad that the taste has never and will never live up to the heavenly scent! I swear, it just makes no sense. Humph!
3. Lip gloss- this is possibly the worst, the most ridiculous of this category. You have to wear it on your lips right? And it smells sweet, succulent and delicious, right? Ok so maybe I'm being a tad melodramatic, but why is it that in most cases it just tastes like new car?
I just don't understand why it has to be that way. I dream of the day when nice smells and delicious tastes can walk hand in hand through the world, delighting us all. Is that really so much to ask? REALLY?
Cat xx

You're nothing but a deck of cards...

I was virtually strolling through Flickr when I came across an "Alice in Wonderland" themed photo. So I decided to search "Alice in wonderland" and I found such lovely photos that I decided to put some of them in this post....

Wouldn't you love to escape to Wonderland?

Cat xx

I'm crying for my shattered illusion...

I've been watching old(ish) Disney cartoons and I've noticed something. "Winnie the Pooh" is not a simple, innocent child's story-come-movie. Oh no. We have been fooled to think such things, manipulated in fact! I suppose this refers back to this post about old fairy tales, but this is different. In that situation the stories were sick and twisted, but the Disney versions made for young children, were modified. "Winnie the Pooh" on the other hand, is just plain depressing. Think about it: a stupid bear, chronically fearful pig thing, a control-freak miserable rabbit, a know it all owl, an orphan tiger, a depressed donkey and the schizophrenic boy who imagines them all. The only normal ones are Kanga and Roo. So my question is: What. The. Hell? Why make such sad characters? Why try and make us feel so sorry for them? I almost cried in both Tigger and Piglets big movies! Can humans not deal with normal characters at a young age? My second question about the now terrifying "Winnie the Pooh" is: why do I like it so much??? My third is: why is he called Pooh?!
Cat xx

My latest obsession...

I've been watching "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" on YouTube. It's actually really good, not one of those shows that was really bad, but that I haven't watched since I was too young to notice. unfortunately I can't find much of season 2 on YouTube, so I've skipped ahead a bit. It's really funny and I absolutely love Hilda and Salem. Who wouldn't like a show that features a cat hungry for world domination? So basically, I'm just saying you should most certainly watch it!
Cat xx

Murphy is cruel...

If existence is completely random, as many of my friends as well as I pretty much believe, being an atheist, then that means that for no particular reason, the universe, solar system, planet, everything we ever have, do and will know, just came into being for no reason at all. Now that's completely, utterly mind blowing, and yes of course I'm thankful not only that anything/everything exists at all but also that I am a human and not, i dunno, a dung beetle. But, I have a small Murphy's law type complaint: Why couldn't eating junk food be good for you instead of exercise? HUH???
Cat xx

The inner poet in me...

doesn't exist. Really. Poetry is hard! It has to be either funny or meaningful to be good and god knows I can't do funny so that leaves meaningful. Then there's the balance between "Wow, I really get what she's trying to say" and "Wow, not only is that a complete piece of crap, but it's so cheesy that I think I have to go and throw up now. Excuse me." If you're lucky enough to find this balance you then have to make it so it's compressed enough to be poetry, but people can still understand the message. You tend to go for "Oh, I feel so moved by those few but powerful words" not "Oh, does she have that thing where she just spits out random words as they come to her? How sad." Unfortunately, my occasional attempt poetry has no balance, and anybody who reads will be both queasy and under the impression that I'm mentally ill. Ah well...
Cat xx

It never rains but it pours...

We live in a world of extremes. As it said in "An Inconvenient Truth", climate change is intensifying the weather. Extreme droughts, floods, typhoons etc. So, we've been in a drought practically my whole life and in summer we're all frittering away in the sun, burning and slowly becoming cancerous. Then, along comes winter and it's freeeeeezing cold. Seriously, I cannot remember a day colder than today. I walked to music after school today and I swear I'm lucky that I still have my fingers and toes. It started to rain and I was running and I couldn't feel my toes and just a few moments after I stepped into my music teachers house, it started to hail. Oh god, the cold. I mean, as I've already said, I'm all for winter when I'm safe indoors but not when I'm forced to experience it. Not complaining or anything...
Cat xx

Some things are just unacceptable...

There's something that needs to be said. Now, I'm not much of a fashion type person, but there are a few things that I simply can not stand. I know I sound like a snob, but it needs to be hammered into everybody's brains that some things are just criminal. Double denim. I'm not even sure exactly what's so awful about it, but it may be the fact that it looks like a suit, but is made in such casual, traditionally for working type material. It's terrible. Don't do it. Ever....Cute top hat though.

Cat xx

Poetry is alot harder than it looks...

Aged statues crumble,
Autumn leaves float to the earth,
Life reaches its end.

That is a haiku that I wrote for my creative writing class. I love that class, it's amazing. Anyway I hope you like it.
Cat xx