Christian Exodus

A couple of months ago I read an article entitled 'In face of declining U.S. morality, Christians emigrate to Muslim countries'. The article was from LarkNews, a Christian news parody.
This however, appears to be completely serious:
Some Christian conservatives in the US have decided that all the Christians in the country should move to the same state so that they are a vast majority and can become a seperate country.
'The success of ChristianExodus.org will lead to an independent Christian nation where people may once again worship God under the protection of a friendly government. In addition, such a nation will be free of burdensome taxation and federal meddling in local affairs. Matter of factly [sic], the liberties we have lost to liberalism over the past century will be restored in one fell swoop.'
Props to Rodney Olsen.

I also like powerlines

I've disovered this since I got a camera a couple of months ago. It's the Shaun Tan influence.
The first photo shows a features a pair of shoes near my parents' place in Ferntree Gully. The second and third show stages one and two of the Gillies Street Shoes project. The fourth is a can that's been hung from the powerlines, also near my parents place. And the sunset photo was taken from a park in Scoresby, outer-Eastern Melbourne.


With regards to the Gillies Street Shoes, there are now three pairs. They have come down a few times, but quickly returned by the supportive public. Also, the cleaners have been complaining about them, so they're happy.

Stuff what happened

Since I've had not much Internet access, here's what's been happening:

On Wednesday morning, at about 1:30, I (and many of the other residents) was woken up by the sound of people yelling, laughing and running up and down the hallway. This is quite normal, though not on a Wednesday mrning. Also it usually doesn't go for twenty minutes.
So I got up and opened the door to see what was going on.
It turned out that two of the guys, both pretty drunk, were dragging one of the girls by the legs, up and down the hallway, while she yelled at them to let her go.
One of the other girls, also quite drunk, was bent double with laughter. The previous day she'd been complaining about us 'old people' wanting a quiet environment at night.
Needless to say I was pretty annoyed. Pulled the two guys hands off the girl, who quickly got up and put some distance between herself and the guys.
I made it known to the two guys that I didn't appreciate the noise, particularly when I had to get up at 6:00am, and everyone has classes on Wednesday.
One of the guys, who happens to be on the computer next to me right now, told me he didn't care if I was losing sleep, because he was going to make as much noise as he liked, and I couldn't tell him what to do.
In reaction to this I chose to glare at him for a while. After about fifteen seconds the other guys turned around and walked away, and after another five seconds they were both gone.
Next morning the girl they'd been dragging down the hall told me she'd opened the door to tell them to shut up, because they were right outside her room. When she opened the door they'd come in. She'd been unable to get rid of them. They'd grabbed her and started dragging her along.

On Friday I caught the train to Melbourne to see Colliding Worlds at Federation Square. Also checked out the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, which was a mixture of boring and interesting.

Saturday night I went to Laz's 20th. Every year Laz has a party. It's always at his house, and it's usually a barbeque. This year's was no exception. It was much like all the others that I almost wrote '18th' a couple of lines back - they all just seem to blend into one big birthday party.

Last night I got a lift back to Ballarat with Lorimer, who has dredlocks as of yesterday. I was considering dreads at one stage, but I think they'd be to high-maintainance.
We'd decided to meet out the front of the Whitehorse City Council offices, in Box Hill. It turned out that the Whitehorse Christian City Church was just around the corner, so we checked that out before leaving Melbourne. It was interesting how they used 'secular' music and film in the service.
Afterwards we drove back to Ballarat, arriving at 9:56pm.

I like traffic lights

I drew this yesterday in Melbourne, near RMIT.

Desert Song

On Saturday night I went with Grant, Ricardo and Jimmy T to see the musical, Desert Song, in Warrandyte. They were going to see it because one of the people they work with at Channel 31 was in it. I was going because one of their other friends had bought a ticket and then pulled out, leaving a spare ticket.
We didn't really know the way to Warrandyte. Grant pointed out that the Bible suggests sticking to the straight and narrow road. However, the Gospel According to Mel was more helpful in this case.
The musical is set in Morocco, during the French occupation. It was pretty good for an ameteur production, but I was a bit disppointed, because I've seen some pretty good ameteur productions. Most of the actors weren't to convincing, and didn't ahve very good vocals, but a the few decent members of the cast really made up for it. I was kind of bothered by the Romanticised portrayal of colonial life, though.

Assorted Ballarat photos

I took these on Lydiard Street, across the road from Her Majesty's Theatre and the Commonwealth Bank. The Old Post Office is in the background.

This is a church in Sturt Street.

This is the Maxi petrol station on Creswick Road. I reckon it looks kind of like a building form Starcraft.

Old Post Office

This is the tower at the Old Post Office Building at Camp Street Arts Academy.

Sunbury BP

I took this photo the other weekend when we were in Sunbury.

Remember why you shouldn't go to BP.

Big gun

The playground is such a good place for one of these.

This playground is in a caravan park near the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

Why I do not like Optusnet

Because I had to call them SIX TIMES today, trying to set my parents' Internet account for them. And in the end they decided that the problem must be with the hardware, so I should get it serviced. I think the fact that I'm posting now should blow that theory out of the water...
I'm in Melbourne till Sunday morning, when I go back to Ballarat, where I'll meet Trav and Strange Tim to go to Warrnambool.

Troy

Just saw Troy which was rather crap. Eric Bana (Hector) is about the only actor who does a decent job. Brad Pitt (Achilles) comes across as an arrogant brat with little variation in facial expressions. The war only seems to go for a few weeks. The Trojans have llamas*. And Hector's body manages to 'survive' being dragged along the ground by a chariot without much damage**. And it's just not interesting (I almost couldn't blame the people behind us for talking all the way through), and to hard to take seriously.

*I guess the Romans brought them to Europe after they discovered Latin America.
**This part was so bad a lot of people laughed.

The Jesus Party

This post from Shalom closely resembles my thoughts with regards to Christian politics, and Christian culture in general.

Chatbot

Chatbot: Hello, my name is Chatbot. What's your name?
Christop: Christop.
Chatbot: Not many people express themselves that way.
Christop: What, by saying their name when asked what it is?
Chatbot: It is a good question. Have you tried www.whatis.com? Try searching the open directory
Christop: Actually, it was a rhetorical question.
Chatbot: Actually you don't say. Oh I get it. Very interesting.
Christop: It's not, actually.
Chatbot: By Saying Their Name When Asked What is not actually?
Christop: Do you realise how little sense that makes?
Chatbot: No I do not realise how little sense that makes. Do you? I chat with people on the Web.
Christop: That's nice dear.
Chatbot: Are you getting bored?

This blat was brought to you by the A.I. chatbot.

Dear Christopher,

Just got a letter from Express Media, saying they don't want 'Spot the Aussie'.

'good idea...
reckon you could
flesh it out, could
become part of a story,
Take care
[illegible scribble]!

Arr.

Tim's Tea

Last night I went to Tim's Tea. Basically, in three weeks Strange Tim is going away with a team from Teen Missions International, to Malawi, to build an orphanage for children whose parents have died from AIDS. So his church decided to embarass him by organising a tea to commission him for the trip. However, Tim reckons they just did it to embarass him.

From garbage to gas

Dr. Stephen Paul, from Princeton University's Plasma Physics Laboratory, has found a way of turning garbage into 90 octane fuel, which he can sell for US$1.80/gallon. Petrol is currently selling at round $2/gallon in the US. If it stays at that price, Paul might be able to convince automobile manufacturers to produce cars that run on 90 octane fuel, and enough people to convert their cars.

Hmmm. So the torture used in Abu Ghraib was approved by Rumsfeld. Wonder what's been happening in Guantanamo Bay?

Sunbury

This morning I went to bed at 3:00. Got up again at 6:30, to go to Sunbury with Trav, Frenchy and Strange Tim for a Warrnambool Family Mission core leadership meeting. Had pizza from Sunbury La Porchetta for lunch. And from Ballarat La Porchetta for dinner. Am going to La Porchetta again on Monday night for a Camp St Students for Christ meeting.
Now I believe I will go to sleep. Might add links later.
Update: links added

Adelaide station

These were the last photos I took before I left for Ballarat.

Demolishion or something

This building in Adelaide CBD was being demolished or restored or something. They were doing something to it which involved cranes and lots or rubble. I thnk it was an insurance company or something.

Adelaide alley

This is an alley in Adelaide CBD, near the Lion Arts Centre.

Google News?

After hearing that Michael Moore's film Farenheit 9/11, which examines the links between George Bush and the bin Ladens and how Bush handled the September 11 terrorist attacks, is actually going to be released, I decided to do a Google News search for 'Farenheit 9/11'. I was quite surprised to find that the second article that came up was a satirical piece from The Daily Farce, entitled 'Bushes' Daughters To Watch Farenheit 9/11; Bushes Decline Daughters' Graduation'.
I love satire. But you can't call this news.

Anyway, it turns out that Farenheit has been bought back from Disney (they weren't going to release it because apprently Disney consumers 'don't want to take sides' when it comes to politics) by Miramax.
The film is showing at the Cannes Film Festival in France. According to the Internet Movie Database, the film will be released in Spain on September 10. Hopefully it will be out in the US and Australia before our elections...

Some church in Adelaide

I photographed this church from beneath an underpass in Adelaide CBD.

Some cathedral in Adelaide

These photos are of a cathedral in North Adelaide.

Mitcham station

I took this photo at Mitcham station, in the southern suburbs of Adelaide.

Nosiy windows

A British company has been selling called Feonic has been manucaturing windows that can be used as speakers. The idea is that shop-owners will buy them, and use them to grab the attention of people walking past.
According to Jeremy Lee, the comapny's finance director, the windows will only produce a sound two decibels louder than the noise outside, in order to avoid noise pollution.

Colliding Worlds

My brother Justin has was chosen about a year ago to be part of the Colliding Worlds project in Knox. Other projects were run simultaneously in the Melbourne CBD, Moe and Horsham.
'The aim of the project is to use art-making to re-engage marginalised young people in their community.'
On May 28 and 29 the artists' work is being exhibited at Federation Square, as part of this year's Nextwave unpopular culture festival.

Extreme hallway wrestling and other shenanigans

Last night the thespians and I had a few matches of extreme hallway wrestling.
In extreme hallway wrestling, the objective is to manuever the other person to the opposite end of the hallway. So it's kind of like soccer, except you play it in a hallway and your opponent is the ball. It's especially good at Gillies Street as there are so many door frames to wedge yourself into.
We were eventually told that we were making to much noise, so we went outside and had races up and down the driveway.
When we were thoroughly exhausted we went inside and watched Ed Wood.

Atomic Sky

The Fourth Wall 2 is now underway. This time I'm working with TAS and Aves, two guys from the US. Our zine is called Atomic Sky, and the layout is now online. Now we're just waiting on the judges' decisions...
We'll be launching the first issue in two weeks.

The Shoes of Christop

The Shoes of Dylan have just been joined by the Shoes of Christop.
On Saturday night Dave had a party to celebrate being 21 years and five days old. Afterwards I got a lift to Melbourne with Erin, so I could see my family for Mothers Day.
While in Melbourne I got some old pairs of shoes from my old cupboard. Two of them are now hanging from the powerlines as the Shoes of Christop, the second pair of Gillies Street Shoes.

Horsham alley

I took this photo in an alley in Horsham, on the way to Adelaide:

Illegal art

Today's Age has an article about The Empty Show, an art project which involves breaking into abandonned buildings and turning them into artspace.

Stawell station

I took this at Stawell railway sation, on the way back from Adelaide to Ballarat.

Alkaline3

This is Nyssa's blog. I met Nyssa about two years ago in the chat room at The Living End's website. Chris Cheney, who fronts The Living End is her uncle.

Twentiesh [sic] questions

I got these questions from Abez, who got them from Amir, who got them from Anju:

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, find line 4. Write down what it says:
States alone.

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What do you touch first?
One of the other computer chairs.

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
The Simpsons

4. WITHOUT LOOKING, guess what the time is.
12:10am

5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
12:06am

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
The Living End, Modern Artillery, 'End of the World'

7. When did you last step outside? what were you doing?
Twenty minutes ago at BP (I never learn) after getting back from an unsuccessful 'nature walk' out near Creswick.

8. Before you came to this website, what did you look at?
My blog or Abez's? Before I came to my blog I was looking at the uni's Inetrnet accounting login page, and before looking at Abez's blog I was looking at mine.

9. What are you wearing?
Blue and yellow sneakers; green socks (unmatching); green trousers, deliberately ripped around the ankles; old, grey shirt over a black, synthetic t-shirt; black, spiked wristband; wristband made of yellow, blue, white, pink & orange rags, remants of black nail-polish; brown hair-tie.

10. Did you dream last night?
Probably. I don't remember them these days.

11. When did you last laugh?
Last time I remember was bit over an hour ago when my deodorant can (full), which Greggy chucked in the fire, exploded.

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
A 'RECYCLE!' sign, a clock, a white-board another 'RECYCLE!' sign, lots of white paint, two light switches, a crack (vertical).

13. Seen anything weird lately?
Rick has a Cat in the Hat poster on his door.

14. Last movie you saw?
Tank Girl

15. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy first?
Some food.

16. Tell me something about you that I don't know.
I'm two weeks behind in my rent.

17. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
No more capitalism.

18. Do you like to dance?
Not really. I like to skank, if the music's appropriate.

19. George Bush: is he a power-crazy nutcase or someone who is finally doing something that has needed to be done for years?
Neither.

20. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
Raquel

21. [Same question for a boy]
Quixtli

22. Would you ever consider living abroad?
Yes, and I expect to.

Keith silos

I took these two photos in a tiny town called Keith, on the way to Adealide:

On the bus I'd been reading The Dressmaker, a gothic novel set in rural Victoria during the 1950s (or thenabouts). One of the important structures in the novel is the silo.
I'll probably use these in my Gothic Genre photo essay. I'm very pleased with how they've turned out, so if we get the right weather conditions I want to take some of the Ballarat silos as well.

Warrnambool watertower

Here are some photos I took in Warrnambool the weekend before last.

Why you shouldn't go to BP

I just went to BP to get some Coke. When I was walking back this woman pulled over and asked if I wanted a lift. She sounded stoned.
I said, 'Nah its cool.'
So she said, 'Oh promise Oh'm not a child molestor or anythin'.'
I said, 'Nah its a'right.'
I considered saying I wasn't a kid anyway, but thought better of it.
The moral of the story is: don't go to BP.

Another Ebay scam

People are selling invitations to join Gmail. As I type this, one has a US$48 bid on it.
Once you've signed up for a Gmail account (you have to be invited) you get two invitations to send to friends. Or the highest bidder. So really, you could just pay for the invitation, and sell your two invitations to make the money back. Or sell one and send the other to yourself, and get another two invitations.
If you don't want to buy one, you can start a Blogger account (Blogger and Gmail are both part of Google) and you'll get an invite once you've posted a certain amount.
By the way, my email address is now christop {at} gmail {dot} com.
Props to Tim.

Christop says:
you need *LetsT alk English Gooderer*
Electric Chikken says:
lol
Electric Chikken says:
Damn right.
Electric Chikken says:
Talking Godderised Englishes Much Better Than Your Friendly Person Electric Chikken (And Keeping Your Titles Of Your Books Much Shorter Than Longer)

CEO Christop Booth

Socksy is applying for a job. He asked me to be his second referee. So now I'm CEO of Boothy Unlimited.

Bad cops

As you probably remember, when I was in Melbourne the fun-stoppers thought my suitcase was a bomb and took it back to the cop shop to defuse it.
Well, today I got my photos back and it turns out the fun-stoppers took a few photos. So here they are:

The guy in the middle photo is reading my address list from Thuruna Easter Camp.
Jess reckons photos might have taken by a policeman who is really a terrorist and thinks I am too and is trying to send me a coded message.

'...not only is Mark Latham a liar liar pants on fire, he's ALSO a copycat from Ballarat.' - PM John Howard.

Equal opportunity?

John Howard's $1 000 000 scholarship plan, an attempt to lure more males into teaching positions, has been called sexist. And it is.
When Howard closed down ATSIC, I thought that maybe he was starting to get over discrimination.
However, there are many similar scholarships in our country which are not labelled at discriminatory. At my first high school there were a several scholarships available only to Asian females. However, there were no scholarships available exclusively to to males or to people of non-Asian ethnic groups. If there had been a male-exclusive or Causcasian-exclusive scholarship these would have been labelled discriminatroy.

The Shoes of Dylan and other Fine Things

On Thursday night we had chair races along the ground floor hallway. Basically, you sit on a chair, and sort of make it jumpforward over and over again, until you get to the end of the race. However, since the hallways are so narrow,you can only really have two people racing at a time. To overcome this problem we are considering having twopeople racing on the ground floor hallways, and two on the top floor, with somone of the stairs to see who comes first.

Afterwards we tied a pair of my old shoes together and threw them up onto the powerlines on the other side of the road. We decided that whoever got them up there got ot keep them, and that if someone askedwhat we were doing, we were waiting for a bus. Socksy eventually got them up there, so now they are called The Shoes of Dylan, because Socksy's not his real name.
Our aim is to eventually accumulate such a large row of shoes up there that they are added to the world heritage list. When the powerlines are replaced, they'll have to reposition the shoes exactly as they were.

Spent Friday night playing Risk! at James' place. Got home about 6:30am.
Saturday night went to Thai Fusion with the Gillies St mob for Sam's birthday, then went to Irish Murphy's.
Last night I led the youth service at church. It waskind of disorganised, 'cause I only got asked to do it a week before, but it turned out alright.