A complete change of scenery, from the modern pretentious high-rise to the beautiful buildings of old. Italy! So far I've been in the lovely land of coffee, talking with hands and superb food for about 10 days now and I don't want to leave. In the words of Cabaret's Emcee, "Life is beautiful..." 

Based in Saint Archangelo, on the shores of Lake Trasimeno in Umbria, I've been staying with my parents in their rather lovely, though very very small, "apartment" which is situated inside an 10th century monastry (that the catholic church sold off in the 70s). There's about 16 apartments all up, though they all haven't been changed inside too much so this place has it ye olde Italiano feel to it - frescos on the walls, fireplaces, wooden beamed ceilings etc. My parents place is very tiny, adequate for two, not for three. Their propety stands high up on a mountain, with rows of ancient olive trees leading down into the town. Lovely. It's mid winter, freezing cold but no snow as yet. Plenty of rain and frosty toes, though you forget about that when you are absorbed in the ambience of the place. 

My parents have been getting by in their usual pigeon Italian, usually guessing at words but understanding most that is said to them. I have only picked up "si" and "grazi", shamefully not hiding my tourist skin too easily (hopelessly bad at languages here). It's interesting not being able to communicate without hands and diagrams, but enjoyable being thrown in the deep end, so to speak.

So far I've been to a few drives to small towns and beautiful cities. Assisi was a stunning medieval town that is a huge pilgramage point for catholics (with many souviner shops ladened with, erm, interesting wares to sell). Cortona is home of one of the largest jazz festivals in the world (and some rather huge but stunning pizzas), also medieval. Castalone del Lago (Castle on the Lake) is a walled city that sells enormous yummy meranges and a place called Casa del Mutilano (house of mutilation!), beautifully overlooking Lake Trasimeno - the forth largest lake in Italy apparently. Sometimes dad and I go for drives to see what I can photograph, but most of the time we hang at their place snuggled up in bed reading books and watching movies. Bonza! 

A couple of days ago we ventured to one of the most beautiful, romantic cities ever - Venice! My brother flew in from France to meet us, and our reunited family spent many hours walking around and admiring all the wonderful buildings. If you've not thought of going to Venice, do. It's stunning! Very overpriced and filled with tourists (7% of the population there are native Venetians) but absolutely stunning. I wish we had more time to spend there instead of just two days, but two days is better than none. With my camera glued to my hand, I spent a lot of time snapping photos while walking around and riding the vespertos (public transport boats that cruise the canals), and learning aspects of the city's history. Fascinating. My brother amused us with stories of his life in Bordeaux, practising his French and drinking wine. 

Last night we all enjoyed a mouthwatering feast of local food at my parents favourite place to eat here, Rosso de Sera (Red Sun), as it would probably be a long time until we were together again (with my brother living in Bordeaux now, my parents in the UAE and I in Melbourne). I enjoyed some wild boar and a smashing chocolate flan. MMmmMMm! Good wine flowed like water, and course after course was brought out until we had to waddle to the car. Everything here is so goddamn tasty. Even the roadhouse food on the motorways are tasty - what would be called "gourmet" foccacias in Melbourne and fantastic coffee is standard wherever you go here. Even the supermarkets are fantastic to walk through, with every aisle baring something that is incredibly tasty. Oh how I'll miss the food. 

Next on the list of places to go is Florence and possibly Rome, if we can squeeze it in. And more local towns to oggle. My appetite to come back here is strong, and hopefully next time I'll be able to bring El Monsta for the journey. 

In a week I'll be in merry ol' England, catching up with old, old friends and enjoying the sights and sounds of London. I've not been there since I was 14, so hopefully not much has changed and I'll still be able to find my way around. Very excited to be seeing two of my greatest friends (possibly three), going to Camden for a bit of a shop and maybe even to the infamous Fabric to get a grand dose of great drumnbass. It's sad to think that in 4 weeks I'll be back on the otherside of the world, far from all of this. But exciting that I'll get to see my beloved, cuddle my naughty kitties and sleep in my own bed. 

Hope you're all doing well :) I'll put some photos up in a couple of weeks, as the internet here is so sllloooooowwww.... too slow for uploading. 

Mucho Amour!

1. DIrector of Photography (Cinematographer/Cameraperson)
2. Set Deisgner
3. Costume Designer
4. Special Effects Technician
5. Animator
6. Desktop Publisher
7. Actor
8. Cartoonist/Illustator
9. Fashion Designer
10. Director
11. Makeup Artist
12. Artist
13. Graphic Designer
14. Comedian
15. Computer Animator
16. Casting Director - (!!! what kind though teeheehee)
17. Musician
18. Medical Illustator
19. Composer
20. Website Designer

• Live Free or Die Hard - the latest and last installment (I think) of the Die Hard series. McClain is his usual smart-arsed, ridiculously tough self with a hacker nerd side kick, who should have been called "Mac" for continuity effects :P The action was big, bold and loud and I was surprised Jerry Brockheimer wasn't behind it. There were some cool bits, there are some unbelievable bits, but all in all it's as fun as the other films in the series. Bruce Willis is starting to look old, but his tough exterior will never fade I've decided.
  
• The Simpsons Movie - I have two major theories about The Simpsons. 1 - every conversation will end once there is discussion of The Simpsons, whether it be for a couple of minutes of hours - people just all seem to connect over The Simpsons. 2 - You either find The Simpsons funny or not, there's not really an in between anymore. And for all those who say "oh the latter series aren't as funny anymore", I say to you that you're just not finding the subtle humor littered throughout the show. So on that note I found the movie HILARIOUS! I get the impression many expected something more or different than what they made, like more of an episode or something. Ultimately it has been filmed like a real action film, but animated instead. There is a beginning, middle and end, arches of dramatic climax and character development. I liked how the animation was more like Futurama in the sense it was 2d characters on a 3d background, and that there was heaps of celebrity voices. And lastly, kudos to Matt Groening for focusing on an environmental plot. I'm looking forward to owning the DVD of this :)
• Bourne Ultimatum - the last in the espionage series about Jason Bourne, the man who doesn't know his identity but the government are trying to kill him. I don't think this has been released here in Australia yet (thank you bit torrents) but it will be soon. I was impressed, after not remembering the first two films very well (I blame being overbaked at the time) but eventually picked up the story reasonably easily. This film concludes it all into a nice, neat package. El Monsta pointed out a good point to the film I'd not thought about - it's a clever action film. There's no gore, there's not mass amounts of ridiculous violence. Instead there is suspense, realistic action sequences and without fail there's always a good car chase scene. Matt Damon makes a great Bourne too, even though Team America I think tainted him to be called "Matt Daaaaamooooon" instead of just Matt Damon.
  
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Yes, I am a HP addict. Both to the books and the films, though I don't think I'll go as far as to own my own cloak and wand. This is the 5th installment, with 2 left, and I would have to say one of the best made films so far. The kids have grown up to be able to act, with Harry amusingly moody for most of the film. Voldermort looks scary without a nose, Michael Gambon plays a fiesty yet familiar Dumbledore, and Ms Umbridge (Imelda Stanton) has to be one of the best villians in HP that's been adapted to screen, in my opinion. It is a much darker film than the others. I also learned that David Yates, the director of the 5th film, is going to be directing the 6th one as well. Ooer exciting.
  
• Daywatch - The second adaption of the Russian fantasy series of books by Sergey Lukyanenko and the sequel to Nightwatch (2006), Visually stunning, storywise - I got completely lost throughout the film as to what the deal was. Maybe it was the subtitling we got, maybe it was just that I didn't remember the first film that well. But either way, the story was... bizarre, for lack of a better word. The special effects were pretty spectacular, but be prepared to try and get your head around the plot.
  

So it's the end of the first week of the second semester at school. My holidays ended on Monday, though I'm not sure if you could legitimately call them a holiday. For the whole time I was sick pretty much, starting the day after my exam. First a flu-like bug, which left me with a throat infection, which turned into bronchitis. And to top it all off, my teeth decided to join in the pain party and start to ache horrendously. Originally I thought it might of been the nerve-ending beaver in Ren and Stimpy, but sadly it wasn't. I ended up getting a wisdom tooth pulled out as it was split in two by a nasty abscess (yes I do have some fucked molars). For the past week I've been 'a-salting' (assulting) my gumhole with a saltwater concoction. At least it's better out than in and I feel on the mend. It's back to the dentist again next week for my new fortnightly dose of dental hell :/ (I'm scared of dentistry stuff o_O)

During the holidays I did get to tick off some stuff on my 'to-do' list. Last week I ventured out with Andrew on a chilly winter day to see the Pixar exhibition at ACMI, celebrating 20 years of their animation. While it was raining outside quite dramatically, kids were overflowing inside. The exhibition itself was an interesting mix of gels, models, storyboards, development ideas, movies, interviews and so on. There was a zoetrope of characters from Toy Story that was excellent, though the strobe lights gave Andrew a headache. I wish I could have taken photos inside but it was prohibited. The best snaps of anything Pixar related I got were models from outside:

( More Pixar photos )

Along with the Pixar exhibition, I dragged Andrew along the muddy banks of the Yarra to see the Melbourne Design Festival. Admittingly, I was disappointed. What I read on the website seems more appealing than what it actually was o_O. For sustainable design, it seemed a bit... wanky really. Seems like you really don't need visionary talent anymore to be able to 'design'.

( More of the design festival... )

I also got up to some sewing, with my previous post being about a bag I made. Well.. I made another one! Better by far. A army green canvas tote/shoulder bag with candy strips inside :) Still have to sew the strap on since I somehow broke my machine needle last night. Anyhoo... bags, I've come to realise, are easier than clothes to make. Tonight I'm venturing to make Michelle a lovely bag for her birthday that was on Wednesday. I just hope she likes it! Black and pink bag - can you get anymore emo? :P

Speaking of Michelle, I'm happy she's back at Latrobe with me this semester. I've now got a lunch and bus buddy for Tuesdays :) And a fellow cinema student to debate with. I'm stubbon at meeting new people so it's a relief to have a familar face there. On another Mish note she's recruited me to take photos of her being tattooed tomorrow. As much as I'm looking forward to capturing her squirm while being inked, I'm not looking forward to having to go to Werribee to do so:/

Lastly school is back up and running again for the end of the year. This semester I'm trying hard to pull my finger out, so to speak, and be a good student. I'm sitting on a B-average but if I want to get into Honours, I really do need better (despite Latrobes mimimum grade for Honours being a C). Last semester was shocking. I fucked around, barely went to class and ended up failing one subject and just getting a B for the other two. Anyhoo, I was doing intense units. This semester, however, I'm doing some grand units I'm very excited about:

• Screen Criticism - were we learn how to write film/screen criticism. I have to write a 700 word essay (opinionated mostly) every week (with only 5 days to write it) and in the following class we criticise each others work which is anonymously projected onto the wall. As much as it sounds like a lot of work, I'm already enjoying having to be constantly writing and thinking about cinema. On top of that too we also get known film critics to come and guest lecture for us - I think we're getting a couple from The Age this semester. Plus my teachers are funny, friendly and informative. And of course we get to watch a lot of films, and finally I get to be my opinionated self :)
• Writing for Radio - in this media class we learn how to write performance for radio. That being radio dramas, radio theatre, plays, jingles, ads, soundscapes. Basically learning how to create a world of sound, instead of a visual one. The class is small and our teacher is pretty lively. He's heavily involved in the radio industry too, and I should get my radio show back on air. The biggest bummer is that because the class is smaller than expected, the repeated session has been cancelled. So my 2pm class has now shifted to 10am :( And I now have a 4 hour break between classes/lectures. Hopefully it'll be a entertaining enough for me to continue to get up at 8am hehe.
• Australia and Beyond - in this sociology class we learn about Australia's role in the world, and what we are like as a socety. Apart from the fact I needed to do a first year sociology unit, I was interested in learning about Australia's from a sociological point of view. As much as I am Australian, I really don't identify with my country much (having spent so much time out of it) so hopefully this'll give me new perspective and make me feel more... at home I guess. My lecturer is uber Aussie (even named Trevor) and interesting. We don't learn just history, we learn observation. I'm mostly excited too since there's a class and 2 lectures dedicated to music alone :)

It'll be a busy semester but worth it I'm sure. Still trying to find a job to get the cashola for my holiday, but maybe the weekend paper can offer me something. Fingers crossed.

Apart from that I've been enjoying snoozing in, decorating the house and trying to find a way to go see Gotye live at the Atheneum theatre in August.

Oh and of course, rocking out to Spinal Tap :)

• going to the Amazing Human Body exhibition to see plastinated bodies (I love Dr Von Hagen's work!)
• going to the Pixar exhibition on at ACMI
• going to the Guggenheim collection exhibition at the NGV international.
  
• going to take photos of the 'floating palaces' and 'down to earth' parts of the Design Festival, hopefully with Mishymish.
  
• check out the designers market, see what could be bought.
• taking photos of my local area and Melbourne city during winter, both for my own benefit and for El Monsta's site.
  
• finally finish decorating my office and putting everything in its place.
  
• sew up some ripped clothes and create some new tops/dresses.
  
• do something with my hair - needs a redye, cut and some zing to it.
  
• catch up with friends I've not seen in too long - Mishymish, Andrew, Trev, Em and Casperino, and other assorted randoms.
  
• Start going for a walk at least once a day for an hour, despite the weather.
• read a couple of books I've been meaning to read for a while - Was, Middlesex, and whatever else I find in La Trobe's library.
• Get the final Harry Potter book and see the new film (my friend working on the special effects!)
• pick up my guitar again and learn El Monsta's electronica gadgets.
  

1. Shortbus - I was waiting at least year for this to come out after finding out John Cameron Mitchell was the director/creator etc. And that there was sex on screen, but real sex! Unsimilated sex! and sexuality discussion - two things right up my alley. I even got El Monsta interested in going to the cinema with me to experience it (he is not a fan of going to the cinema) but somehow we didn't go. Downloaded it a while ago, hadn't had time to watch it but finally did and it was just wonderful. More a film about sexuality than sex, I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the subject matter.
   
2. MirrorMask - a mixed venture of Dave McKean (directing) and Neil Gaiman (story) and the Jim Henson Company. This was visually spectacular and subtley funny. Has to be seen to be understood, but the soundtrack, story, cinematrography, acting and costumes are just beautiful.
3. Memoirs of a Geisha - I read the book years ago (who didn't) and loved the story. Initially I was put off by Rob Marshall directing the film (he did Chicargo) since I didn't want a musical version of the story, but turns out the film is rather lovely. Cinematography is stunning - it made me want to go be a geisha in Japan really. The acting was fanatastic, with some of Asia's best actress's in the main roles. Although it could be seen as a chick flick, there is a generic beuaty in the film. And it's interesting to see what a geisha actually is/was instead of the misconception.
4. Curse of the Golden Flower - the latest release from Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern, Hero, House of Flying Daggers) which is a Chinese historical epic. Epic is probably a good word to use. The story is depressing, the fight scenes are spectacular, the costumes are mesmerising and the cinematography was so colourful (an auteur trademark). Not my favourite Zhang Yimou film, but I do love Gong Li. Jay Chou from Initial D was in it too (another good film, about Japanese drift racing).
   
5. Candy - I wanted to see this a while ago but wasn't sure how it would be. And I'm glad I did cos it's one of the best Australian films I've seen in a long time. Candy is about heroin addiction essentially. Health Ledger and Abbie Cornish play Dan and Candy, a couple madly in love with each other and with heroin. The film shows the depressing decline in their life quality based on addiction. Based on a semi-autobigraphical novel, it highlights the heroin problems in Australia espeically. Geoffry Rush plays a great older, gay fellow smackie and friend to Dan and Candy. I highly, highly recommend this film. Abbie Cornish's portrayal of Candy is amazing (I didn't like Somersault or her performance in it). Heath Leadger is seemless too, amazingly.
   
6. The Corpse Bride - well I saw this at the cinema, but it cheered me up when I was sick this week. Even though I prefer the Nightmare Before Christmas as far as Tim Burton claymation goes, this does have a spot in my heart. I always tear up at the end when the corpse bride turns into butterflies, and flys away into night. I'm looking forward to Sweeny Todd, which will be the next Tim Burton/Johnny Depp film coming out this year. AND it's going to be a musical :D
7. Arthur and the Invisibles - I loved this. Luc Besson's apparent last film (though it's not). Freddie Highmore is one hell of a child actor - he's the Dakota Fanning of british boys. And David Bowie is the evil M, how can you NOT like this film! The cast of voice actors is quite starpacked, with Madonna, Robert Di Nero, Snoop Dog,  Mia Farrow, Harvey Keitel, Jimmy Fallen and Emilo Estavez for example. The story is very sweet, very funny and very adventurous. The acting is flawless, the animation is mesmerising, and the cinematrography is just so wonderful. If you want something to make you smile, laugh and be entertained, I recommend this. There's another 2 sequels to follow as well.