tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79211872009-06-28T11:28:15.191+09:30Sounding off about music, games, politics, the media, myself, my friends, and so forth. <br> Featuring thoughtful discussion and random rants, interviews, reviews and photos.FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.comBlogger233125This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site, subject to copyright and fair use.tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-2173186863521254722009-06-28T10:33:00.005+09:302009-06-28T11:27:45.933+09:30

I live really close to a railway line.On the occasional Sunday morning, usually when I've been hung over and still in bed, I've heard what sounded like a steam train go past my house.It's always puzzled me. In fact, I thought I was hearing things and going mad (too much booze kills brain cells don't you know!), thinking it was a Ghost Train, because I didn't hear the chugging - just the toot of

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/06/yay-im-not-going-mad.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-3052027605464163372009-06-15T22:43:00.002+09:302009-06-15T23:03:12.621+09:30

Hawaii was absolutely beautiful and a heap of fantastic fun!A True Tropical ParadiseI had a ball swimming, kayaking, snorkelling, and hiking all over the place.If you've got facebook, my photos are here although they might be open to view by any and everyone...Some wonderfully friendly Russian-American girls we metHowever, if they aren't and you want to see them, try here! I've added a new and

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/06/hawaii-was-awesome.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-44549343844050352072009-05-24T13:03:00.004+09:302009-05-24T13:16:40.066+09:30

Five more sleeps and I'm off to Hawaii!I've never travelled outside of Australia so this is a first for me - and another first that would simply not exist had I still be living in Adelaide...So fucking excited!Travelling with a couple of mates from work and spending 3 days on Oʻahu (in Honolulu) and then 4 days on Hawai'i (the Big Island) before flying back and spending the weekend in Sydney.I'm

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/05/five-more-sleeps.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-78368953389469581162009-04-16T10:11:00.000+09:302009-04-16T10:12:40.720+09:30

LOL!OFLC kicks the crap out of Michael Atkinson

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/04/oflc-kicks-crap-out-of-michael-atkinson.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-67744240675481624342009-04-13T17:05:00.006+09:302009-04-13T17:17:42.017+09:30

Here's a fun little flash game for you all!My Brute!Type your name into the box to create a Brute, and battle against my brute for internet supremacy!

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com1http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/04/my-brute.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-29249393577628535112009-04-09T09:51:00.005+09:302009-04-13T16:56:31.351+09:30

At first I wasn't really interested in this years V Festival. Snow Patrol and Kaiser Chiefs are ok, but not enough to spend $150 to go see.But then Madness and Human League were added to the line up, and I bought tickets immediately! I even talked Ritters into coming over to it from Adelaide! There was no way I could miss one of the most fondly remembered bands of my youth!We rocked up to the

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/04/v-festival-review.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-78311007212100985362009-03-31T19:19:00.002+10:302009-03-31T19:23:28.618+10:30

I'm so sick of politicians lacking a decent pair of nuts these days.I really think the Defense Minister, Joel Fitzgibbon, should step down.Personally I don't care if he's banging that chinese woman's entire family from her grandpa to her dog, he did they wrong thing (not notifying the Senate of his overseas trips) and was caught.If he had a pair, he'd step down. After all, the government can tell

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/03/grow-pair-would-you.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-36449322797975670862009-03-15T08:59:00.005+10:302009-03-15T09:35:11.970+10:30

I thought I better add to the list bands I've seen as my memory ain't what it used to be ;)These are all from the last two or so years...Bloc PartyBilly BraggBjorkCypress HillDevoDizzee RascalFunkoarsGood BuddhaGorilla's Sound SystemHeadless ChickensJungle BrothersMark Ronson's VersionMidnight JuggernautsNine Inch NailsPendulum LivePharcydePublic EnemyQ-TipRage Against The MachineRegurgitatorRoy

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/03/more-bands-ive-seen.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-43445249574232502042009-03-06T21:54:00.000+10:302009-03-06T21:56:15.448+10:30

So, this earthquake occurs tonight...but funnily enough it occurred at the exact same time as I started up a game, so I thought it was just my subwoofer being too loud and shaking the desk

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/03/melbourne-earthquake.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-63632961851759770462009-03-01T01:12:00.005+10:302009-03-01T01:27:25.478+10:30

Survey:1. My ex... probably still hates me...2. Maybe I should... stop spending money on gigs!3. I love... music.4. People would say that I'm... better than you.5. I don't understand why people... don't think like I do.6. When I wake up in the morning... spend too long in the shower.7. I lost my... lust for life.8. Life is full of... broken dreams and unfulfilled promises... luckily none of mine!

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/03/stupid-survey.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-79162025689497254442009-02-11T19:57:00.003+10:302009-02-11T20:07:58.652+10:30

OK, Maz sent me this via facebook.Facebook allows you to import blogs as notes.As I'm pretty lazy and rarely update my own blog, let alone have another one on facebook via the notes system, I thought I'd do that fancy-schmansy import thing.So here it goes:You're only allowed to post one word answers to these:1. Where is your cell phone? pocket2. Your significant other? nonexistant3. Your hair?

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/02/one-word-answers.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-40446972935358584222009-01-14T21:41:00.004+10:302009-02-11T20:13:45.486+10:30

Pippa's post about friends made me want to post this, because I've been thinking about friends a lot too lately.I think I'm a bit lonely in Melbourne. I've noticed it's really hard to make friends here. I would call my flatmate and a few people at work "friends", and that's about it.In Adelaide it seems I went to a few gigs, meet a few people, and then became almost life-long friends with them.

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/01/friends.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-49757254301327015482009-01-14T21:04:00.002+10:302009-01-14T21:09:56.776+10:30

I just found a great webpage all about one of my favourite Adelaide bands...Written by the extraordinarily talented and incredibly friendly Dave McCain (aka DAMC / Techione), it details the rise and unfortunate fall of this incredible band.On top of that, Dave's got their two eps available for download!

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/01/pure-bliss.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-87175196270091796842009-01-11T10:49:00.003+10:302009-01-11T10:56:17.594+10:30

Well, as per usual I've been a little slack in keeping my website updated.So this weekend I've gone and updated it all just for you!I've added all my CD reviews from 2008, as well as updated the Interviews section with the work I've done for inthemix.com.au including my interview with Portishead's Geoff BarrowEnjoy!

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/01/website-updated.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-54080544877842208742009-01-05T12:04:00.005+10:302009-01-05T12:45:09.883+10:30

Yeah, I know it's a little late, but here are my top ten lists for 2008Top 10 Video Games (all formats)There are many games that maybe should be on this list, but I simply haven't played them so can't make judgement.1. Fallout 32. Fifa 20093. Left 4 Dead4. GTA IV5. Saints Row 26. Grid7. Fable 28. Civilization Revolution9. NHL 0910. BraidTop 10 CDsAgain, these are CDs I've listened to / own /

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/01/top-shit-of-2008.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-12808254160400491132009-01-03T12:01:00.002+10:302009-01-03T12:34:14.760+10:30

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all that.My Christmas was pretty much a debacle, again.I wanted to have Christmas with my mum and my aunt Laurine (her real sister) and my blood cousins.On the hour long train ride to Gawler to meet my mum, who now lives in Saddleworth, my 4 year old reliable companion, my iPod, decides to die.As an aside I also think it was stolen from my bag at the airport -

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2009/01/another-year-been-and-gone.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-79264234158007489132008-11-13T20:11:00.005+10:302008-11-13T20:36:24.317+10:30

GOD DAMN IT!I'm meant to be playing videogames, not writing to letters to clueless fucks about them.After watching this YouTube video, I had to write a letter to YMA - people who, incidentally didn't hire me, because I confessed to liking videogames in my interview. Obviously it's an organisation that doesn't value truth and integrity...Dear Sir or MadamRecently on the ABCs Stateline program,

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2008/11/writing-letters-again.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-22002376063332404242008-10-27T12:16:00.003+10:302008-10-27T13:16:56.194+10:30

Yeah, I know I'm a bad blogger.Because I don't blog about crap that doesn't matter, like feelings and shit, I don't really have much to say. And I could get worked up over a million things, but I can't be fucked any more. All the ranting and complaining about the world won't change it, so I don't bother to comment on it any more.Even on forums and such where normally I'll be attacking this or

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2008/10/yeah-well-im-bad-blogger-ok.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-75621862842195337542008-09-05T18:53:00.002+09:302008-09-05T19:10:40.198+09:30

Yep, ok, so it's a long time between posts, but lets take stock of the situation...My landlord's garden is dying because I haven't had time to water. My dishes from last weekend are in the sink. I haven't cooked my own dinner in a week, and any left over food is going off.I've got 3 games to review, 6 CDs (mind you, 3 are singles) and I've only played one game and listened to the albums maybe

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2008/09/been-busy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-89300029648870369842008-07-16T18:35:00.003+09:302008-07-16T20:15:22.450+09:30

To all my friends in the Labor party:Lee Stevens, Mike Stevens, Nick Champion, Brigid Mahoney, Lee Odenwalder, Lisa Johnstone, Simon Lees, Brear Adams, Simon Flower, and others...(Yes, I'm calling you all out!)Please, please, please tell your fucked up leader Kevin Rudd to pull his stupid head out of his arse and stop acting like an opposition politician.His antics over the green paper are the

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2008/07/to-all-my-friends-in-labor-party.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-61967178658291244382008-07-11T13:27:00.002+09:302008-07-11T14:00:21.508+09:30

A lot of people blame Michael Atkinson's stance on videogames, and he is the only AG who went against the popular vote, and claims that he will again.But something else I discovered about the process of ratings.Here is the Classifications and Community Standards report from 2007This is compiled by Galaxy research to determine if people believe ratings are working and are fair.Here you can see

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com1http://blog.funkyj.com/2008/07/r18-in-videogames-and-why-we-will-never.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-70065954059236284572008-07-03T11:56:00.003+09:302008-07-03T12:14:16.384+09:30

If anyone reading this is in Sydney, be sure to pick up Time Out magazine as I'm now writing game reviews for them.My first review will be of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars.

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2008/07/in-sydney-look-for-me-in-time-out.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-88558699436974686202008-06-26T13:39:00.003+09:302008-06-26T13:54:23.721+09:30

It appears researchers in London have cracked the Tube's new ticketing system.At the heart of [the] card is the Mifare chip, made by Philips spin-off NXP.Designed in the 1990s before processors of that size could handle strong encryption, Mifare has suffered at least three published cracks, according to security experts who have urged TfL to upgrade the system. (link)Given that Melbourne's Myki

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2008/06/more-trouble-for-myki.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-11266554421923028932008-06-23T20:15:00.003+09:302008-06-23T20:18:12.477+09:30

RIP George CarlinVery funny man and a great comedianHere he is at his finest!

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2008/06/rip-george-carlin.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7921187.post-15376137669020702302008-06-23T00:01:00.000+09:302008-06-22T13:17:52.200+09:30

For those who don't know, I managed to score an exclusive interview with Portishead.I chatted to Adrian Utley about a range of things and I'm really happy with the way it turned out.No, unfortunately I didn't get to speak to Beth, she still doesn't speak to the media.But you're welcome to read it on inthemix.com.au and I may even put the audio up online soon, which contains Adrian discussing

FunkyJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01862437538501173125noreply@blogger.com0http://blog.funkyj.com/2008/06/portishead-interview.html