Thousands of feral camels are wreaking havoc in an Australian town as they search for water in a continuing drought…. From BBC News. Full story

This site may contain information about: sea current. The blog is also related to: ocean surface.

When 12-year-old Mahtab’s father returns home with obvious signs of torture, and her grandfather is forever lost, her family knows it can no longer live in Taliban-controlled Herat, Afghanistan. Her best friend has already left without saying goodbye, hoping to find refuge somewhere in Iran. Now Mahtab and her family must leave her beloved grandmother and the rest of the extended family in search of survival and freedom.

Mahtab, her mother, and her two younger siblings begin their frightening journey hidden in the back of a truck, while her father rides in the front, bribing officials when necessary to get the family safely to Pakistan. There the father must leave his family behind, traveling alone to Australia where he hopes he will be able to prepare a secure new life for his wife and children. They must patiently wait, hidden, desperate, and unsure of their tenuous future. Days and weeks become many, many months … the younger children begin to wonder if they can remember their father’s face … and even Mahtab begins to doubt that the family will ever be safely reunited again.

Mahtab’s Story is inspired by a true story, the book’s cover reveals. In the afterword, award-winning Australian author Libby Gleeson recalls that she was introduced to a group of refugee girls in a Sydney high school in 2004: “Their stories of persecution and fear in their own countries and their escape to Australia were so compelling that I felt I had to write about that experience.” She stresses, however, that this is a novel, not a biography. And yet, this is also sadly a very familiar tale in our contemporary world of questionable wars and the countless innocent victims who must risk everything for survival. In the end, Mahtab’s is undoubtedly one of the lucky stories …

Readers: Middle Grade, Young Adult

Published: 2008, 2009 (United States)

Being a ‘new man’, one unafraid to watch The Restaurant or listen to Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing because I like it rather than because I want to persuade a woman to have sex with me, it should come as no surprise to you that I occasionally partake in a spot of Pilates.

Yes, we stick on the DVD Jade got off Amazon and clear the furniture out of the way. She’s Australian, Pilates woman is, and she has incredibly pert breasts. I cannot confirm whether this is because of Pilates or not, but she’s ugly so I can’t really be bothered to look into it. But yes, girls out there, there is the possibility that Pilates will give you pert breasts.

We lie down and she tells us to activate our fingers. I’m not sure what this is but I gamely try to activate them as best I can by sort of tensing a bit. It doesn’t seem to do much other than making me go red and is not conducive to the breathing exercises she has got us doing.

Oh yes, Pilates is a very breathy sport.

So we’re tensing and breathing and activating and she runs us through a series of toning tasks. There’s the crab and the lotus and all sorts of things, all of them designed to exert the maximum amount of pain.

Me and Jade in the crab screaming in pain and breathing heavily as the Australian woman tells us to take it deeper and rotate. What must the neighbours think? I’ve had nightmares about knocks at the door.

“Where’s the Australian dominatrix” My trembling finger points to the DVD.

My hamstrings are not supple. They are tight. Like concrete. My toes are on the horizon, unattainable. And Australian woman is not happy. She throws her legs out and tells me to follow. I can’t. I’m weeping as they tear. She tells me to go deeper. I hear them stretch and pop and rip.

And relax, she says, mocking me.

I crumple.

But no time to crumple. She is sat upright, her legs out before her. Finally. She says. Grab your ankles. So we’re sat upright holding our ankles swaying as the balance tries to find us. She looks at us. Hmmm. Extend out the right leg. Extend out the left leg. She’s still sat upright and her legs are by her ears. FUCK OFF. That’s not possible. She looks like an upturned stool. Her arse must be flat. How else is it possible? I’m swaying backwards with my legs at 30 degrees and behind me Jade screams as her legs hit 65 degrees.

Australian lady smirks. And her breasts sit like two monuments.

“Boob job” says Jade.

Yeah, bitch, I say.

We put the DVD away and spend the next two days hobbling around feeling inadequate.

And what is more manly than hobbling around feeling inadequate?

Pilates, my male friends, will reaffirm your masculinity, give licence to it. Get yourself a DVD. Push away the furniture. Make your hamstrings burn and your stomach muscles explode. Let the bitch bully you. You will never feel more like a man.

O país que sediou os jogos olímpicos em 2000 com a cidade de Sydney tem a população cosmopolita, formada especialmente por europeus e asiáticos. A mistura de culturas pode ser atribuída ao incentivo que o governo australiano oferece aos estudantes estrangeiros, o que não quer dizer que não haja controle sobre eles. O governo australiano estimula pesquisas nas áreas médica, biológica, oceanográfica, física e tecnológica.

Conhecida pelos exóticos cangurus, koalas e até pelas tribos aborígenes. A Austrália apresenta uma beleza natural e preservada que encanta os estrangeiros. Suas mais de 10 mil praias são o sonho de consumo de qualquer surfista. A diversidade de climas encontrada no território australiano vai desde o calor do “Outback” (nome dado ao deserto no país por estar fora da costa), no centro do país, até as geleiras das “Snowy Mountains” (montanhas de neve), a pouco mais de uma hora de Camberra, capital do país.

Com clima tropical, praias bonitas, surfe, população hospitaleira e um câmbio melhor do que o dólar americano são as principais motivações dos estudantes que escolhem a Austrália como destino de estudo. Segundo estatísticas da Belta (Brazilian Educational & Language Travel Association), o país é hoje o segundo preferido dos brasileiros que vão ao exterior para estudar inglês, ficando atrás apenas do Canadá.

Os estudantes podem, ainda, aproveitar as horas de folga para praticar atividades radicais, entre elas “rafting”, surfe, “canyoning”, mergulho, vôo livre, “bungee jumping”, paraquedismo e “mountain bike”.

A qualidade de vida na Austrália também se deve ao bom funcionamento dos serviços públicos, desde transportes e hospitais a áreas de lazer gratuitas. A Austrália foi colonizada pelos ingleses em 1.770 e já faz parte da lista dos países mais ricos do mundo.
Atualmente, o país apresenta uma das sociedades mais organizadas e um dos melhores IDHs (Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano) do mundo – é o 3º na lista da ONU (Oraganização das Nações Unidas) de 2007. A Austrália tem uma sociedade mais igualitária que a brasileira. Ou seja, há menor diferença entre as classes sociais australianas que entre as brasileiras.

Lost man drives 370 miles to pick up newspaper

By TOM PHILLIPS – Thursday, November 19, 2009

An elderly Australian man who went out to fetch a morning newspaper ended up driving more than 370 miles after getting lost and taking a wrong turn onto a major highway, police said.

The man, 81-year-old Eric Steward, eventually stopped and asked for directions after driving for nine hours, from the New South Wales country town of Yass to Geelong in the southern Victoria state.

Can you hear that cracking sound? That’s truth, starting to break through the shackles of scientific fraud and political propaganda.

Found this :

Australian protests (click image for original post)

The link is here

this morning Three Meticulous Sydney-based sound sculptors. Shane Fahey founding member of the legendary Sydney post punk group The Makers of the Dead Travel Fast is a multidimensional sound artist. His brand new CD on his own label Endgame Records is titled The Slated Pines. And A Cloakroom Assembly, the mysterious Sydney post punk music and experimental sound project of M squared co-founder and one half of the original scattered order Michael Tee, and beautiful new sound explorations.Including Interviews with Michael in Canberra and Shane in New York. And a recently assembled collection of historic sound constructions by the highly respected rik  Rue.

Firstly, the slated Pines by Shane Fahey.I spoke to Shane two days ago From New York.

Track, title, duration

3, get some out time,5′ 52″

4, scatter floor for food,4′ 00″

7, for and against the noise barrier,9′ 33″

Now,

A Cloakroom Assembly,new recordings and I spoke to  Michael Tee  about the new recordings from Canberra yesterday.

CD1,internal variations(…HD 189733b)
Track,title,duration

3,24032008c,6’22”

CD2,jZZbltn8

1,5

1,260208,5’17”

5, 080208a,5′49″

Finally Rik Rue (a collaborator with Shane Fahey over the years), recent and not so recent sound collage works.

Track, title, duration

2, Stockman one (cut up for future improvisation),1′14″ or

6, a fistful of grunts,3′ 22″

9, uncommercial ad hoc (mix three),5′ 59″

WHAT’S ON

A Music Night not to be missed at great  the Abercrombie Hotel on

 HotelHotel at 8 PM on Saturday, November 28 with reformed flagships of the M squared label, scattered order Mark one (with M squared founders Mitch Jones And Michael Tee) and the makers of the dead travel fast and the craftsmen of soundscape, a slow rip and carefully chosendjs .Entry $12 and the performances will be in the beer garden at the rear. Word games galore, the night is called three heads meet messmer and koo koo.

The next background noise will be a very special programme with studio guests Lloyd Swanton and Chris Abrahams from the necks presenting the new CD called Silverwater. As well as some candid necks stories.

Click the image to visit the site paying tribute to the legendary comic by tracking down Asterix, along with some of his fellow comic superstars, on their home turf and in the places where they shine most.

v

At a war council meeting last night, Pres. Obama is supposed to be making his final plans on how many troops to send to Afghanitan, or if he is going to use more bombs and less troops. The later is my estimaton of what can and should be done. Stories from around  the GWOT. Links:

1.) Good story on attacks at Ft. Hood. Hearngs in the US Senate:

http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.4842/pub_detail.asp

2.) Not everyone sold on troops being policemen in a battle zone:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/marine_cops_112309w/

3.) New MarSOC commander:

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/marine_marsoc_112009w/

4.) Catch and release policy, which resulted in US troop deaths apparently, is now in effect in Afghanistan:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-afghan-taliban23-2009nov23,0,2892908.story?page=1

A seascape image from Cape Schanck in Victoria, Australia.
The image features the well known landmark Pulpit Rock as incoming waves rush across the surface of the surrounding rocky platforms.

The Chant of the Pulpit.

Circa 1979: Signal to Noise -- Photo © Sydney Festival

There are quite a few free events to catch at Sydney Festival this January—think great little bands in the Famous Spiegeltent with Late at the Garden, Festival First Night starring the gospel legend Al Green, or something a little different like Symphony in The Domain—but my favourite is Circa 1979: Signal to Noise.

Circa 1979: Signal to Noise is a celebration of one of the most creative periods in Australia’s music history that spanned from 1979 to 1985. A period which saw avant garde, post-punk, new wave and early electronic styles of music become a thriving underground scene.

Presented by Sydney Festival and  Modular, this event consists of two parts. Signal to Noise Sessions is a day of free talks exploring early experimentation in music, film and video and the cultural influences surrounding this period, and is happening at the Seymour Centre on Saturday 16 January. Then there is Signal to Noise at the Sound Lounge, an exhibition of fanzines, photography and album artwork collected in an attempt to revive and recreate the Sydney underground music scene of 1979–1985. The exhibition will run over a couple of weeks in January at the Seymour Centre’s Sound Lounge. Coupled with unreleased music and a previously unseen video archive, this exhibition is the first of its kind. A must see for any music appreciator.

Just a quick recipe for tonight.  I made a loaf of this at lunchtime to go with soup, and it was gorgeous. David loved it: I think he ate more than I did!

Damper is an Australian bread, traditionally cooked over an open fire.  The quantities I use make a small loaf, just right for the three of us. I reduced salt because David was eating it, and we very rarely add salt to anything now. It’s edible cold, but it’s best almost straight from the oven, in buttery chunks.

Ingredients
2 cups self-raising flour
pinch salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp room-temperature butter
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup water
chopped chives/ dried mixed herbs to taste (I used about a tablespoon)

Method

Sift the dry ingredients together into a bowl.
Add the butter and rub between fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
Mix in chives and herbs.
Make a well in the flour mixture, and add the milk and the water. Mix together until a dough is formed.
Turn the dough out onto a floury surface, and knead until silky.
Form into a round loaf and cut a deep cross in the top.
Bake for 20 minutes at 200C, then reduce oven temperature to 180C and bake for another 10-15 minutes until done.

How do you tell it’s done? Pick it up (with oven gloves on!) and tap the bottom. If it’s cooked it’ll make a hollow sound.

Serve warm with butter.

Confusion reigns in my mind,
as for an answer I seek to find,
to questions old from history past,
how long must this insanity last.

It was not me they sought to slay,
when first these feeling came to play,
this war not ours long ago started,
its reasons for have long departed.

Do you hold me now in contempt,
for my ancestors savage attempt,
to vanquish yours from this life,
By killing both my child and wife.

How can we now justify,
who can live or who must die,
We did not start it nor let it end,
against all those who would be friend.

Does this hatred so deeply run,
that I must now sacrifice a son?
My life, my love, he is to me,
I do not choose the death of he.

I would rather now beg forgiveness,
than raise a child and have them live this,
life of fear and warfare fought,
to not use violence to him was taught.

But now my leaders overrule,
they see him mere as but a tool,
to further their own political greed,
disregarding complete a parents need.

To outlive their child’s existence,
but to this plead they show resistance,
so can we not just get along,
to sit and share in verse and song.

Our deepest fears and wildest joys,
to protect our beloved girls and boys,
I pray an answer soon we’ll find,
to the confusion that reigns in my mind.

In early morning light I lay,
and think of some profound thing to say.
As you grow older and become a man,
to help guide you in all you plan.
But all I think is all I fear,
and soon you will be leaving here.
Going to another place,
leaving here an empty space.
My heart is filled with love so true,
but rarely this I have said to you.
Now time is short and close to end,
I wish this feeling sorrow would mend.
But it is your wish, a long held need,
to be at peace, to be freed.
So these words I shall write,
but from you keep out of sight.
Know in my heart you have a place,
and in my memory shall keep your face.
So now I think of profound things to say,
as in early morning light I lay.

Let us sit and talk of thought,
of lessons learned and lessons taught.
Let us share in wonders and ideas,
we can communicate all our fears.

Lets you and I discuss in length,
let our joined voice give us strength.
For together we can defeat all,
regardless of how great or small,
and bring about a brighter day
so in the future our kids can play.

I do not dislike you, or wish you harm
I do hope we can talk in calm
is it possible that this may be?
I feel it is how we may be free
of hatred and violence and other rot
and keep our bodies above the plot.

I pray your safety and well being
I hope with this that you may be seeing
that my desires here lie in my yearning
That through discussion we both be learning
what is good about yours and you
is possibly good about me too.

As I see no real differences here,
We both believe in dread and Fear.
We both have families and those we love,
these gifts given us from whoever above.
We both need of food and of water,
So why then send our kids to slaughter?

Questions asked and then answered true
these things need pass through me and you
If in this world we wish to find
All things in life by which we bind,
from these lessons learned and taught
Let us sit and talk of thought.

Loneliness,
like cancer,
grows,
eating at my heart.
love,
the ever elusive cure.

At night,
I feel it growing,
the pain immense.
The cure,
moves,
further from reach,
mocking me as she goes.
The cancer grows,
the pain,
Too much.

I lay me down,
to rest,
at night.
Alone again,
I pray.
Gentle slumber,
and tender dreams,
please,
free me,
from my pain

The war in Afghanistan drags on, while U.S. troops in Iraq are closing up shop or so it seems.  Military Channel was showing last night a story on the Battle of Iwo Jima and the brave US Marines who led the charge.The U.S. must get serious about winning the war in Afghanistan, and then get out!

Links from around the Global War on Terrorism, the GWOT:

1.)  Canadian troops are led by a general who believes the war in Afghanistan can be won by handshakes and smiles, and without guns. I don’t think so, but here is their story:

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091122/national/afghan_cda_coin_2

2.) Meanwhile, British soldier in Afghanistan  is hit by sniper and lives; see photo of scars! Link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1230024/Brave-British-soldier-tells-brush-death-shot-patrol-Afghanistan.html?ITO=1490

3.) Australian defense forces deny printed reports that their troops get hooked on drugs in Afghanitan and come back addicted:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0911/S00728.htm

4.)  More reports of troops becoming drug addicted in Afghanistan:

http://blog.taragana.com/health/2009/11/22/oz-troops-battling-cocaine-addiction-in-afghanistan-iraq-16143/

5.) $53 billion down the Iraq reconstruction rat-hole. We don’t have money, this is China’s money. Can the US afford to spend China’s money in Afghanitan? Link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/21/world/middleeast/21reconstruct.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

6.) Hero paratrooper mourned; died in Afghanistan trying to save supplies, fellow soldier:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/11/21/hero_paratrooper_mourned_remembered_in_plymouth

/

7.) More nation building in Afghanistan; will it ever end? How much will this cost? Link:

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/afghanistan/091120/afghanistan-agriculture-national-guard

8. Gracie greets her soldier! Great link of dog welcoming home her soldier! Link:

http://www.pawnation.com/2009/11/17/happiest-dog-ever-welcomes-home-soldier-dad/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl2|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pawnation.com%2F2009%2F11%2F17%2Fhappiest-dog-ever-welcomes-home-soldier-dad%2F

9.) Marines reflect on duty, death in Afghanistan:

http://www.scpr.org/news/2009/11/20/marines-reflect-on-duty-death-in-afghanistan/

10.) Military generals cashing in after retirement; good enough to read again and contact your reps:

http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2009-11-18-1Amentors18_CV_U.htm?csp=34

11.) Game of trade-offs in Afghanistan; various Obama options, check out photo:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/23/world/asia/23military.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

The good folks at Brimstone Press have announced the table of contents for their latest volume of Australian dark fantasy and horror, collected from the 2008 crop, and — big smile — my story, “Smoking, Waiting for the Dawn” (one of several to be included from Dreaming Again), is in there. It’s rubbing shoulders with some mighty good yarns:

“The Last Great House of Isla Tortuga” by Peter M. Ball

“The Claws of Native Ghosts” by Lee Battersby

“Pale Dark Soldier” by Deborah Biancotti

“Heere Be Monsters” by John Birmingham

“Teeth” by Stephen Dedman

“Her Collection of Intimacy” by Paul Haines

“A Guided Tour in the Kingdom of the Dead” by Richard Harland

“Moments of Dying” by Robert Hood

“Just Us” by Pete Kempshall

“Painlessness” by Kirstyn McDermott

“The Casting Out” by Miranda Siemienowicz

More details here.

There is a NZ author called Hugh Cook who wrote a series of 10 fantasy books which all had titles “The something and the something“, such as “The Wordsmiths and the Warguild”.  He was planning a series of 60 books, but sales didn’t eventuate, which is a pity. I’d have needed another bookcase though!  Nothing else relevant in this, other than whenever I read (or write) “The something and the something“, I’m reminded of Hugh Cook.

Back when I bought my Triton Workcentre – the Workcentre 2000, I was concerned if there was going to be a 2002 version that was going to supersede it – the danger of using a name that also depicts a year.  A lesson that Microsoft are starting to learn – your product is dated by the name.  As it turned out, the WC2000 was the final version – a newer version that was ready for prototyping was binned by GMC when they took over.  When Triton still existed as a company, they did get the occasional prompt to bring out a new version – a 2005 version for example.  This never happened (obviously), but there were a number of existing owners who wished it would happen.

As I was assembling the TWC, a feeling of familiarity, and deja vu struck, and stuck.  Even though I found I didn’t need any assembly manual to put the TWC together, the home-grown aspect to both companies did come through, but the differences also came through strongly – one being thin pressed metal and aluminium section, the other being steel, steel and more steel.

Despite there being no commonality between the companies, or between the workcentres (other than both being Australian Engineering, both being called workcentres, and both being woodworking related), there is a degree to which the Torque Workcentre (TWC) could be regarded as being a logical upgrade to the Triton.

Consider each function:

The Tablesaw.

The biggest criticism Triton owners hear, is the money they spent on the Triton Workcentre system over the years could have bought a significant tablesaw.  There are counter arguments to that, but not relevant for this article.  They then have a brushed-motor circular saw secured by plastic under a pressed-metal top, in an item that weighs around 30-40kg.  (Again, there are all sorts of other pros and cons, not my intent to discuss).  It can handle (with the extension table) a 2400×1200 sheet, with a cut depth of around 65-67mm.  A plastic-thread height winder.

The Torque workcentre is not an ideal tablesaw, and if you already had a tablesaw you wouldn’t consider the Torque as a replacement.  However, despite having a very good cast iron tablesaw I am still looking forward to being able to process sheet goods on the Torque with ease – being able to lay the goods out, and bring the saw to the sheet (with all the control the TWC offers) to safely process the sheet into the required sections.  For ripping, a tablesaw is still the preferred method, whereas for crosscutting, the TWC has it all over the Triton, as with a saw attached it effectively becomes a radial arm saw, which until the development of the SCMS (sliding compound mitre saw) was held in very high esteem in many, many workshops (and still is by existing owners).  The TWC could potentially give a radial arm saw some serious competition – increased range, support at both ends of the arm for 90 degree cuts etc.  A top quality RAS would most likely win, but for most workshops, the Torque makes the grade.

The Router Table.

The Triton router table was the first item that I left behind as my woodworking improved – I felt held back by its limitations – the top wasn’t flat enough for my needs, and I headed down paths seeking more and more accuracy, precision and flatness.  There is a definite benefit to a table-mounted router, but one thing I found missing (and had no solution for) was the ability to have the router controlled in an overhead position, without having to hand-hold it.

This is where the Torque absolutely kicks butt.  Even when all the other parallel functions being discussed here are removed, replaced with dedicated machines, you’d still look at the Torque Workcentre as an overhead router system – it is what the TWC excels at, and the primary reason for buying one.  All other functions of the workcentre are secondary to this – bonuses. IMO that is! There is so much potential that overhead routing capabilites provides, I’m going to be exploring it for a long time yet!

Now this doesn’t mean the table-mounted router is obsolete – far from it.  How I have dealt with that, is combining the two tools, and I have an area where the table-mounted router resides in the top of the Torque workcentre, and at this stage I don’t believe it does anything to detract from either machine.  While the table-mounted router is in place, I loose about 300mm of total capacity of the TWC because I have placed it at the end where there is some dead-space anyway, and I can regain that area by simply lifting the table-mounted router out to regain the full TWC capacity. The best of both worlds you might say.

When in place, the table-mounted router has the advantage of a cast-iron top (which I added), and the Incra LS Positioner and Fence, so that is pretty optimised, and yet I also have the overhead TWC to complement it.

I’ve long seen the router table as being a compromised tool – most workshops that have one have had to make it themselves (other than the low-cost Triton, GMC or Ryobi tables).  To get a machine as serious as the tablesaw as a router table, you’ve had to turn to the spindle moulder, and that machine has a very limited top speed, and is not effective for small router bits. (Not that I am belittling the Spindle Moulder – it is a very capable machine, and can be found in many professional workshops, but it isn’t designed for modern router bits.) The TWC is a machine built specifically for the router.

Drill Press.

Like the tablesaw, it is an additional (rather than primary) solution.  Like the Triton, take a hand power tool and give it extra functionality by providing a solid mount.  But again, in a pretty serious way – a drill press that can drill materials up to around 1300mm from the support pole, has massive work support, can handle angles, and drill points in arcs.

Jointer/Planer/Thicknesser.

There isn’t to my knowledge a jointer on the market that can allow you to prepare the face of a board 2000×1300, yet that is bread and butter for the TWC.  And anything smaller.  I’d say many workshops will still have a dedicated machine, but when its capabilities are exceeded, the TWC takes over.  If you don’t have a jointer yet, the TWC puts off the requirement to invest in one.  It doesn’t do the jointing the edge to 90 degrees to the face however (although you can use a router bit to run down the edge to perform that role).  You can also thickness with it, and again with significant capacity beyond any affordable thicknesser on the market!  For smaller items, a dedicated machine will be faster and easier, but the TWC can still substitute until you have the dedicated machine.

So, what do you think?  Could the TWC be regarded as an upgrade to the Triton system?  Both fit hand-held power tools to increase their safety and functionality.  One weighs a substantial 200+kg, so has the stability (with a corresponding loss to portability).

I know you know me … so much so well … still learning … still growing … not just some silly love spell … You shaped me … helped mould me … the secret I shall not tell … my darling … my everything …  I am here now for you are my life … when you’re not with me … you’re the air I breathe … gave me wings and let me fly … down for anything … you just call me … you know I’m here … anywhere and anytime … When you are distant … I know why it’s needed … it’s part of how I belong … if ever you must turn me away … I know it’s ok … Just knowing you makes me strong … I trust your judgment … no questions asked … for you water the soil for every song … when you treat me like a Queen … never judge for where I’ve been … shown me completely … total security … you cannot leave me lost in everything … understand me … being there for me … more than anyone in ways only you could show … I know you too well … why you do what you do … this journey together we both chose … right from the beginning … no pretense … passion like a whirlwind … all my fears you allowed me to let go … I’m so grateful for you my one and only … let them all continue to believe … we are meant to be … add to the mystery … they will run with whatever they are told!

All my love ~ forevermore xxx

When was the last time you heard music that blew you away?

For me it was last week when I received Goodnight Owl’s EP in the mail from their manager and music blogger Sabi.  As soon as I checked the letterbox, I ran upstairs, put it on and was amazed at just how good it is.

Goodnight Owl play lush folk music with electronic beats layered underneath. The result is something like a cross between Josh Pyke and The Postal Service but with a distinctly Australian flavour.

Goodnight Owl  is composed of main songwriter Eddie Alexander who moved from Central Australia to Melbourne, Joe Walker who provides all of the electronic work and Bella Walker on piano. All three members were friends in Alice Springs  and met up back in Melbourne.

Apparently Eddie Alexander used songwriting as a way to overcome the homesickness and other emotions that came from living away from friends and family and it shows in the heart-breaking yet hopeful nature of the music and lyrics.

Although acoustic instruments are mainly used on the EP, the use of electronic glitches though out the record blend everything together in a subtle and interesting way. This is particularly noticeable on the opener and standout track Maps & Compasses, which is probably the most electronic track on the EP.

Verandah is a delicate song about childhood memories in Alice Springs and I’m sure that anybody, regardless of where they’re from could relate to some of it. The final track Stale Bread comes all too quickly and is the least electronic track which draws attention to the lyrics. It is definitely one of the EP’s highlights and leaves the listener wanting more.

The only track that let’s the EP down is She Kept A Secret, which starts off well but tends to drag on towards the end, especially after repeated listens.

There aren’t many bands like Goodnight Owl, particularly from Australia. These guys should be huge, and in time, I’m sure they will be.

9/10

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It was hard having to wait to assemble the workcentre – having it sit overnight waiting.  At least it arrived on a Friday!

First job was unpacking the remains of the container, and seeing what, if anything was missing.  By the end of the build, only 2 things appear to have been lost – a single bolt of 4 that holds one of the wheels on, and the assembly instructions!

So a pretty fortunate outcome in the end.

Disassembly of the 'crate'

I was concerned about that gap in the middle, but I now think this is for the shorter versions of the support arm – this unit shipped with the longest 1300mm version, which gets packaged with the 2 main beams rather than in this crate.

After laying it all out, the assembly task did not look that daunting, and in hindsight it wasn’t – nothing like even assembling a Triton Workcentre – this assembly didn’t need instructions, let alone the difficulty caused by missing a single step of the Triton assembly.

Components laid out

Assembly begins upside down, and the tapped holes make it obvious how it goes together.  The two main rails are set out, with the cross bracing bolted across.

Main platform assembled

The legs are then added to either end, with the adjustable legs (which also are the ones with brakes) to the front.  Once this section is finished, the unit it flipped upright for the rest of the assembly.

Legs Assembled

I didn’t get any photos of the next stage – it went so quickly and smoothly it was over before I picked the camera up again.  Throughout the build, I did have the video running, so at least that (hopefully) caught some of the action!

Workcentre Completed

Throughout the build, with every component I picked up I was reminded of the significance of each component – they were heavy, strong, and it was both obvious that it had been built by hand (and not in a bad way), and wasn’t some mass-overseas-produced tool.  This is solid, Australian engineering as it should be.

The total build took all of 90 minutes – a very smooth assembly, even without the instructions.

Tool platform with router attachment

This is the platform for the various tools – in this case for the router.  It includes the optional dust collections shroud. There is still some fine-tuning to do, and a top to be added which I will cover in the next article(s).

Heavy Engineering

From the base, to the upright, the support arm and the tool carrier, it is solid components, solid construction all the way.

It is one thing to see such a unit set up and operating at a woodshow, but you get a real sense for the quality during the build phase.