After I posted a link to my last blog post on ye olde Facebook, I received a comment/message/email avalanche from like-minded grammar Nazis and phrase pedants. It was not only hilarious, but also really, really satisfying.
One pal in particular sent me this video. Which is the best.
Sunday night my brother nodded sagely in approval after watching it. "This is cool. The guy have a channel?" That should have been an indicator of the potential for viral success, that and the fact that I kind of actually got slightly teary whilst watching it.
Monday saw the video rampage its way around Facebook, being shared by seemingly everyone who saw it.
Now it's Tuesday, and Billy just descended the stairs with a look on his face that seemed to be at a crossroads between confusion, excitement and pain.
"I just did an interview with The Herald Sun." He said.
My response was to flail around with excitement and tell him all about the love he was receiving on the cat-loving community of Reddit. Billy looked a little freaked out.
What started as a bunch of shares around Facebook has now turned into something "LEGIT VIRAL". And as someone who spends way more time on the internet than is healthy and probably cares way too much about internet happenings, I am most probably at a level of excitement that can only be deemed as "inappropriate".
He's featured on the Huffington Post, on Jezebel, as well as a bunch of Most Watched-esque sites, and something called Life With Cats. It was when I did my daily morning Reddit check though, that I very nearly spilled my cereal all over myself. Hell, Billy's even been dubbed an "Internet Hero". Who else can say that? That they're an INTERNET HERO. Not many people. Not many cats have stirred Actual Emotions in me either, so I'm gonna have to declare this video to be Extremely Noteworthy in the ol' Reb books.
In my last post I mentioned a project thing I did at uni in which I spent many hours of every night "researching" the way internet communities form and evolve and the ways in which content grows and spreads around different communities and environments. As someone who probably has a slightly unhealthy fascination about the inner workings of the internet, to see something grow and spread right IN FRONT OF MY EYES starring A CAT (also human) THAT I KNOW AND LIKE has been extremely exciting and reason enough to run around the building in a bit of a frenzy, spurting internet nerdisms all the while. Obviously. I kind of wish I was still at uni, so I could have a legitimate reason to keep writing endless postulating about internet communities.
Also, as an added piece of exciting ways the forces of the internet have been harnessed for good, Billy's brother's band Parallel Lions (formerly the frontman of Art of Fighting) is currently sitting at number two on Bandcamp's top sellers list. Not surprising, considering the song used in the ol' Rufus video is an incredibly pretty one.
Frankly I think I'm going to get all star-struck next time I see Rufus. He really is a very handsome cat.
I also think I'm going to find it difficult to get any work done over the rest of the day. The phone rings, and I'm going to have to be honest: "CALL BACK TOMORROW PLEASE. I have internet things to watch and observe."
I'm very sorry that I'm so terrible at posting regularly. I keep telling myself that I'll set aside a couple days of the week that I'll make sure I post something, but it somehow always ends up being a bridge too far. Said extenders (?) of said bridge include:
An increasingly intense obsession with The West Wing.
The fact that the internet connection at our house is tenuous and temperamental at best.
The fact that I'm super busy and I really, really enjoy sleeping.
In any case, here's something that's jerked me out of my state of perpetual laziness.
My coworker and pal Billy has fast become one of my favourite people around. That's neither here nor there however, as it's his cat that we're concerned about at the moment. His cat is called Rufus, and he is a very handsome and loveable cat. As someone who generally hates cats (without a shadow of a doubt, I'm a dog person), it takes a very special kind of feline for me to look past my allergies and general cat disdain to see a cute furry animal. Rufus is definitely that kind of special cat, so much so that while the guys chatted and swigged beers in Billy's kitchen a few weekends ago, I was content to sit on the floor and play with Rufus. Gasp! Unheard of!
It's not surprising then, that Rufus gets epic box structures built for him. Billy'd told me that he was constructing a box fort for his furry companion, but I had no idea the resulting castle and video would blow my mind to the extent that they did.
Spawned from the brains of those behind Twit-sensation - perhaps a perfect example of "less is more" - Shit Girls Say, two videos have of late been sent into the world of the internet lampooning (celebrating?) the things lady-folk are wont to say.
I'd be lying if I said my day-to-day speaking was completely devoid of a few of the phrases uttered within the surprisingly well-shot and good-looking videos. Of particular note would have to be "Could you read this and see if it makes sense?" and "Could you do me a huge favour..." and "I HAD TO GET UP AT LIKE, SIX THIS MORNING". And for that I apologise.
Watching the videos at my desk I had my hands clasped at my mouth, attempting to stifle hysterical giggles. I mean shit, girls really do say that shit! All the time. ALL THE TIME. At any rate, the view counter on these babies are climbing ever-rapidly so one can only imagine there'll be more released in the near future. Here's episode one, in which Juliette Lewis's cameo alone is worth price of admission.
I wrote a review of Jane Eyre. I enjoyed it. As in, I enjoyed watching it and then after that I enjoyed gathering my opinions and writing them down on a computer.
I also wrote a review of The Red Hot Chili Peppers' new concert film, I'm With You. It's not up yet though. BUT! If you'd like a preview of that particular review, a VIP pass to what I thought, it is thus: It wasn't particularly good. If only it was a cinema experience brainwave conjured up by the RHCP camp a decade earlier. If only. Those days of yore are gone, gone like the posters of the Chili Peppers and Darth Maul that once graced my bedroom.
I've also been doing other things.
One of the things I have been doing is buying a new hard drive (joy!) and another is editing. Maybe for Skybus? Yes, if memory serves me correctly. Watch it if you'd like.
Oh, so many things to be watching and doing! Where do I find the time? I do not know. I suppose my lackluster job-seeking skills have a lot to do with this activity. Last night I watched Submarine with the lovely and amazing Alice. She was hungover, I was not. Amazing what not having a hangover can be conducive to one achieving. Like going out for breakfast, or doing laundry in the morning, or not eating a box of Shapes in bed then wanting to barf it up.
Submarine was great. It was very hip, very cool, and by that I mean it was very quirky because apparently that is what is cool now. Do the kids still use "cool"? Christ, I'm out of the loop. Did you know there's a Mana Bar in Melbourne now? Apparently there is!
Bars at which one can play Starcraft aside, Submarine was superb. Best film I've seen since back in Melbourne (and I've been to the movies about ten times in these three weeks). Hats off to Richard Ayoade. Moss-from-IT-Crowd obviously loves a bit of Godard, which I'm not going to fault him of in the slightest. He nods at the New Wave without being annoying about it (read: he does it well), he directs his young stars fucking well. Those who know me well will know that I am wont to disliking children or young teens in films. I adoredthem in Submarine. It's a lovely film to watch. It's a gorgeous film to look at. I laughed, I laugh-snorted into my water bottle. Goddamn, I enjoyed it.
Well, shit. I wasn't expecting College Humour to pack an emotional punch like that. Not even kidding. I find these greeting card days fairly annoying (which isn't to say I didn't hang out with my dad today), but this video's actually kind of great. So, happy father's day!
Ryan Gosling - or, "the guy from that movie" apparently - breaking up a fight.
Note, if you would, Mr Gosling's truly ridiculous gun show on display. Personally, I'm partial to the scrawny boys of the world, but holy jeezum crow.... I wonder what they're called? Maybe "Thunder" and "Lightning" (there's always a storm!).
I know this is a few days old, but GODDAMN, you need to watch it if you haven't already.
Seriously, it's hilarious. Superb. And it's got everyone in it, ever.
The credits list the actors involved, and I actually went back to play the ol' "Spot Steve Buscemi" game (amongst a couple of others).
Firstly, Barbariön. I finally got around to seeing this amazing seven-piece metal outfit last month at annual Espy Rock the Bay festival-day-thing. It was hot, I'd been traveling around to various locations around Melbourne all day. I was completely exhausted, wrecked only a couple of hours into the day. I was somewhat doubtful as to whether I'd survive until Barbariön, who were headlining. It's testament to how excitedly all of the guys spoke about the band then, that I didn't bail.
And shit, son. They didn't let me down. Srsbro. You'd be wise to check out their costumed, pyrotechnic'd, choreographed guitar move filled live show. I was in boot-stomping hysterics. It was pretty goddamn great, they well and truly lived up to all the hyperbole-ridden hype Dave and others had built.
Anyway, Barbariön held the launch for this video for "My Rock" at The Tote on the weekend, which I unfortunately couldn't attend because I was serving fat people chocolate until late, like some sort of chump. The video is pretty great. In fact, it's more than pretty great. It's fucking great.
I've seen this trailer posted up on my Facebook news feed a couple of times. I watched it this morning. I guess this is one instance when I can actually thank my Facebook news feed for something other than inane "I'm so borrreeed" or "rocking it babe!" status updates from acquaintances I'd like to delete but am too polite.
Anyway, Sleeping Beautyis "PRESENTED BY JANE CAMPION" (thanks, trailer), and directed by Julia Leigh. It stars Emily Browning, thankfully now out of her Sucker Punch garb. It looks fascinating, and definitely gorgeous. It tells the story of a university student who becomes a "Sleeping Beauty" in which old men get off in various ways that require her absolute submission. Understandably, she becomes increasingly anxious to know what happens to her while she's asleep.
This one seems somewhat appropriate given the inclusion of Barbariön at this post's opening. You know, kid racing away on a bike, dudd parents, rock comes to the rescue, all to a metal soundtrack. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is Hesher, a malnourished, pot-smoking metal head who lives in a van until he meets TJ, a sad kid. Also, Natalie Portman. Would it be wrong to say that I find Mr Gordon-Levitt even more attractive in this trailer than in Inception, dashingly be-suited? Sozol.
Seeing as I have to leave for Lake Eildon in an hour (fun...), I'd best make this very brief.
Last night Dave sent me this, and it kind of blew my mind. Not only is it completely fascinating, but it's also quite mesmerising in it's quiet creepiness. Disconcerting, and also mildly shiver-inducing.
It's by Japanese artist Isao Hashimoto, and it's an animated map of nuclear explosions. The months and the years bleep by a second at a time, and little colour-coded explosions go off. Colour coded by country, it soon turns from a few isolated bleeps to the most mind-boggling flurry of colour and almost musical activity.
It's kind of weirdly beautiful.
And before you get all angry, yes it does omit two nuclear tests conducted by North Korea in October 2006 and May 2009, as well as subcritical nuclear tests conducted in recently by the US/UK and the Ruskies. That's because it stops at 1998.
Twenty two years ago, I was born. I am a year older than I was a year ago, perhaps a little wiser, definitely much fatter.
Hoorah, it is my birthday!
"So, what does it mean to be twenty-two as opposed to twenty-one?" I hear you ask. "Any great revelations had? A sudden feeling of maturity never felt before? A grasp on the world and how you fit into it?"
Well, I'm glad you asked.
It means that I feel even more compelled to look for a "real job".
As a result, it means I feel even more compelled to start saving up in earnest for a trip to South America next year.
It means I've looked back on the year that has passed since the last celebration of the anniversary of my birth and yes, I have learned quite a bit through the myriad mistakes and stumbles I've made.
It also means that if I am to recount the Epic Tale of "Adrian the 18-year-old", I will seem ever so creepy-old. Or a sexy cougar type. Yes. I think we'll go with that one.
Mature. Wise, like an owl.
To be honest, I actually forgot about my birthday until maybe a week ago, when my folks reminded me. I guess it was the excitement of being back on home soil, back with my friends, getting back in the swing of things. Speaking to a mate, Tim about it, he shrugged, "Easy to understand. Twenty two's not very exciting."
Having said that though, today's been quite nice. Woke up rather late, so the family had gone their ways by the time I emerged from my backyard lair. Luckily, a barrage of text and facebook messages soon brought the love. The morning was spent hanging out in the sunshine with Elvis and Neil Young, until heading off with Linc for most of the day. Off to Chadstone to spend some of my birthday winnings. Bought The Omen and Mad Men (season 3), had a rather nice coffee at Jones the Grocer. Spent much of the day shouting, hollering and generally making strange and annoying noises with Linc (as is the case when around the guys).
In fact, one of today's highlights (cheap thrills, y'all) was most definitely, without a doubt, a brief trip to the Apple Store. I had wanted to visit a pal, Clay, whom I hadn't seen since a while before my trip over yonder. However, while Clay and I chatted and caught up, Linc decided to busy himself on one of the shiny display Macs. Namely, by searching for a particular video. With the sound of Linc's cackling laughter behind me, and the sniggers of an Apple minion beside him, I turned around to be met with this:
I just spent the last thirty-four minutes with none other than Kanye West.
It's not exactly the way I usually plan on spending half-hours in the evening when I could be finishing those alterations on that dress I bought yesterday, or watching the Flinstones, or taking Elvis for a walk (that's my dog, not the living ghost of The King)... but you know. So, I was aware of Kanye's opus being in existence, but only vaguely. Remember, I've only just recently arrived back from a few months overseas and my pop culture know-how is somewhat lacking. I felt compelled to get myself back up to date. Also, I'll admit to being just plain old intrigued ... how the fucking what would Kanye fill one-third of a feature film?
HURRRR. I direct nao.
The answer?
Slow mo. (I'm not even kidding, if you sped up all the slow mo, it'd probably go for about ten minutes)
Now, the trailer itself is essentially just an exercise in a few vague, pretty, slow motion shots. Somewhat ominous, in my eyes.
In that case, the film itself ... God, after the frequent sniggering subsided, confusion set in. Confusion, and irritation. Those who think Kanye is a douche, will think no different of Runaway. Those who think he's a genius ... might like it. While I think the odd song of his is tolerable, occasionally catchy, I was basically dumbfounded by the sheer self-indulgence and ... dumb of it.
Right, so it's directed by Kanye, with music by Kanye and high art aspirations by Kanye. Interestingly, script writing congratulations are reserved for one by the amazing name of Hype Williams. So not all the blame should be squared at ol' Kanye. From the opening chorus of opera stylings to the end credits and all the well-shot prettiness in between (credit to Kyle Kibbe), there may be a lot of blame you want to aim.
A step by step account ... Kanye drives his shiny car through a pretty forest. Meteor hits it. SLOW MO EXPLOSIONS. From the wreckage (Like a phoenix! Cause phoenixes appear from fiery ashes! It's symbolic, yo!) appears bird-girl (otherwise known as Victoria's Secret model Selita Ebanks), in a feathered "costume" so revealing it may as well not be there. Impressive boobs are impressive. She wakes up at his place. Creepy, perhaps. She bonds with a bunny and a fluffy sheep in his yard. Perhaps he wants to eat her? Definitely creepy. He takes her to see a marching band and fireworks show, complete with GIANT INFLATABLE MICHAEL JACKSON HEAD. Creepmax. Symbolic? Kanye probably thinks so.
Slow mo explosion, Kanye rescues girl. Symbolism.
The largest portion of Runaway revolves around a giant dinner party Kanye throws for birdgirl, interrupted rudely and symbolically by ballerinas and Kanye playing single notes on the piano. Then standing on the piano. Then singing about douches.
Then. Then Kanye and Birdgirl exchange a horribly awkward DEEP CONVERSATION, then they kiss, then she wants to leave so he convinces her to stay for a while, with his dick. Cue slow motion explosions again.
I'll say right now, that I had the good fortune to watch Runaway online while a good friend of mine, Dave, watched it at the same time. As Kanye's opus played on youtube, we were on Messenger, providing capslocked commentary of the goings-on. Funny guy. Funny combination. I'll admit to being in stitches during much of the video... and I know for a fact that your smartass friend yelling through the internet things like, "SLOW MO BIRD ANGEL BITCH!" isn't conducive to taking something seriously. I suppose that if I'd watched Runaway in a different setting, perhaps a gallery with everyone in the audience looking nice and without Dave sniggering in the background, I would look at the symbolism (she flies!) and the slow mo (so much slo mo...) and try to take it seriously and give it a go. I suppose that's not quite fair on Kanye.
Similarly, I suppose if I'm trying to be nice, ol' Kanye deserves "a fair go, mate!" with all the heavy handed PHOENIX RISING FROM THE ASHES! PEOPLE HATE THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT! symbolism, recovering from the Kanye-Is-A-Douche of the "Taylor Swift Incident".
But then again, I just watched this interview ... he cites Kubrick, he says he wanted to create a film "that was like, all stills" and that he wants "females to connect to the different emotions". Eh... nah. Sorry. Kanye, I can't take your directorial debut seriously. It's pretty, but ... no. You're still a douche.
