How to destroy angels

Yay! Mr Reznor has a new project – How to Destroy Angels.


Trent is working with his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, who just happens to have a gorgeous singing voice and Atticus Ross, with whom he just won a Golden Globe for best original score for The Social Network. The video for The Space in Between is creepy, beautiful and utterly captivating.

Already wondering when a full-length album is due.

I’m just really glad Trent is still with us as he is one of the most creative, original musicians alive. I think the world would be extremely dull if he wasn’t around so I’m glad he’s managed to get off the drugs and alcohol. He’s one of the few musicians around who’s still producing something unique which shows others that you don’t have to do the disposable, vacuous crap that’s passed off as modern music. And kudos to him for taking on the big music labels at their own game.

Tree project

Week seventeen

Tree project

Week sixteen

Perhaps it’s time I did a time-lapse thing…

Nah, I’m gonna lie on my couch and watch Batman: Under the Red Hood again. Best of the DC animated movies thus far. I’m trying to remind myself why I’m getting the Batman comics when the return of Bruce Wayne storyline was so crap. Grant Morrison really needs someone to say no to him on occasion. And an editor. The one shots were pretty good though – probably because Morrison didn’t write them.

Bought myself a present


Unpublished page from Fears and Mr Sale is going to ink it for me 🙂

Well, I say bought but what I mean is put on lay-by (layaway) so I can pay it off over time. Then it’ll go to Tim who will turn it into yet another masterpiece – not that it isn’t already one.

I was right

120km really was a lot further than I thought it would be. But I had a great ride!

I was hoping to do it in 4.5 – 5 hours and my time ended up being 5hrs, 5mins and 18 seconds. A little over but still pretty damn close. It was a huge effort. I feel like I’ve achieved something but I’m not sure exactly what. I have to say that by the end I was spending a bit of time out of the saddle as my butt was starting to hurt quite a bit.

The Bellarine Peninsula is stunningly beautiful. At once point we were riding along and the ocean was about 20 feet away and perfectly still. It was so gorgeous.

The ride was a bit hillier than I expected but it also gave me proof that my climbing has come along in leaps and bounds. The hill I struggled on last year was easier (still not a cruise because it is an short, sharp climb) but it didn’t feel anywhere near as much of a trial as last year. There were a few long, slow climbs that I didn’t even notice. The road surface was a bit crap but there’s not much you can do about it. As we were heading into Queenscliff, I developed huge cravings for a sandwich so we had a break and ate something that wasn’t an energy bar. The cafe we stopped at even had my favourite juice.

It was a different ride from last year. Apart from being longer, I was much fitter and better prepared. I did a lot more of the lead work and supported my riding buddy through to the end. Last year it was the other way around. It’s really satisfying to see how much I’ve improved. I’m stronger and fitter then I thought was. It hard to judge my progress when I don’t have anything to measure it against and don’t really set myself challenges. Perhaps I should.

Anyhoo… it was a great day out on the bike.

Tree project

Week fifteen

Spent a rather pleasant day today hanging out with my brother and his partner who’s about two weeks away from giving birth to their first child which is hugely exciting. I headed over so that my brother could swap over the Cannondale’s rear derailleur for a new Ultegra one in the hope it’d mesh better with the cassette and shifters. It’s not 100% as the shifters are 105s but it’s better than before. I think the next purchase will be new shifters (and probably a new front derailleur to complete the groupset upgrade).

Nearly fell off my bike trying to ride without cletes! I didn’t realise how used to them I’ve become. My balance felt totally off and I really struggled to work out where to put my feet. Plus I wasn’t helped by the fact that I had my runners on and they would touch the cranks with each rotation because the heels on them are quite bulky and poke out. Still, managed to save myself from a tumble which is good. Next time I’m taking my shoes!!

Tomorrow is Amy’s Ride. 120kms. Suddenly it seems like a really long way when before it didn’t. I’m hoping to do it in 4.5 – 5 hours. I’m pretty certain there will be some significant napping on the couch once I finally get home. At least the weather is meant to be okay with only some mild drizzle mentioned on the BOM website. Wish me luck!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all those I love, near and far.

Tree project

Week fourteen

2010 in 40 questions

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Ummm… did a 100km ride. In terrible weather no less.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t do new year resolutions. They seem pointless.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not yet. One of my workmates is due to give birth right around xmas so there’s still time.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No and that’s a really good thing.

5. What countries did you visit?
America (again) in March.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
I’d like to work out some of my “relationship” issues and maybe actually meet someone. That’d be nice.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory?
To be honest this year has mostly sucked so I’m looking forward to it ending. No date in particular stands out.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I feel like I’ve made real progress with my riding. I’m proud of myself for making it up to Kinglake and then doing the Degani Kinglake ride, even though my back was giving me so much grief. I’m also proud of myself to sticking it out during the 100km Fruit Loop ride when the weather was so terrible and I really wanted to quit.

9. What was your biggest failure?
The fact I’ve become so emotionally shut down. Does the fact I worry about being emotionally shut down means that I’m not?

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Tendon problems with my left knee and my back flared up again big time. I did better on the illness front. Only had one or two colds and I unfortunately got gastro at Easter. And how could I forget my trip to the E.R. when I crashed into a car?

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Without a doubt, my Cannondale. Love her to death, especially now she has new wheels.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My family. They always welcome me with open arms and make me feel part of something even when I feel totally cut off from everyone.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Car drivers who think it’s acceptable to to attack, abuse or generally attempt to terrify cyclists.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Cycling stuff. Comics. General living. Living alone isn’t cheap.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I was pretty excited about my trip to America. It turned out to be the highlight of my year.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
There isn’t one.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? – probably about the same.
ii. thinner or fatter? – thinner.
iii. richer or poorer? – poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Made an effort to not be so socially retarded. And of course, there was always time to do more riding.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Over-indulged on bad food. Been such a social retard. It leads me to thinking that I don’t have worth, that I’m not deserving of love or affection. And I know that’s not true.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
I’ll be spending xmas with my family. As I do every year. At least this year I’ll be able to watch the Doctor Who xmas special when it’s meant to be on.

22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Nope. Wait… does my bike count?

23. How many one-night stands?
None. And I’m fine with that.

24. What was your favourite TV program?
Castle. Sherlock.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope. Although I’m not too keen on one particular woman at work. Don’t hate her though. She just irritates me.

26. What was the best book you read this year?
 I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Umm… I don’t think I uncovered anything new this year. But I have developed an affection for music from the 60s.

28. What did you want and get?
I wanted my Cannondale pretty badly. And new wheels. Got both of ’em!!

29. What did you want and not get?
Umm… nothing is springing to mind. There are plenty of things I want but I can obviously live without them.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
How to train your dragon. And Inception.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was with my parents on my birthday. I turned 38.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I’m not sure why but I pulled away from everyone this year. I think I would’ve had an easier time if I worked out what was going on and attempted to fix it.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
The same as last year? Kinda found my fashion groove awhile ago and I’m sticking with it.

34. What kept you sane?
My bike. Without it, I think I would’ve gone totally crazy.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
No one.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I got really annoyed with the federal and state elections. The advertising was unbelievable. So negative and then when we finally got to vote, no one could make their damn minds up!

37. Who did you miss?
As always, I miss my American peeps. It’s hard being so far away from people I wish I could spend more time with.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
My cycling buddies, Rebekah, Helen and David.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Pain is temporary. Quitting is forever.

40. What are you most looking forward to in 2011?
Uuummm… I really don’t know. To be honest, I’m just hoping it’ll be a better year with less emotional complications.

Tree project

Week thirteen

And ta-dah!!! New wheels.

Aren’t they awesome?

The obligatory arty-farty shoot taken using a retro camera app for my phone.