Five-Hundred Word Challenge 636: Weekend Evening Ramblings

Posted on March 21, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

This week has been one of a considerable length. Even though its length seldom, if ever changes, this one extended far beyond what I’d consider necessary.

Such is the way of things, I suppose.

I was going to write about my experience with people being unruly, but instead of writing about that tonight I’m going to write about whatever I want to. Yes, whatever I want to.

I don’t know if that should feel intimidating or not, but either way all I know is that I’m sitting here once ore with no idea as to what should come out and that inevitably is what comes out and I need to get away from that somehow so that I can get onto the next topic at hand, but my feet are blocking the way and they are refusing to negotiate for some reason. They’re feet. They don’t have a stake in this.

Oh well. There is only the navigation left over and so I mus try to navigate the treachery of ideas and find out what works best. It’s all in the thoughts and I’m left pursuing all that is and was that happened to exist within my mind and I can only hope that there is some sort of end to all of this, but secretly I don’t as I’d rather ride it out and get to the end and finally, finally come up with something that is worth writing, or at least have a lot of fun along the way. Whether that happens or not, I don’t know. What I do know is that that is something that I don’t know. I guess that’s still knowledge, and knowledge is knowing as they say.

Well, I guess I should hop off and keep on navigating, but that may take some time and so I’m just going to keep on navigating and hope that there is no collision with something that will track me to the side, thus leaving me astray for a little bit whilst I get my grips with everything once more. It might take some time, but surely, surely there will be something along the way.

Well, I just realised there is one slight problem. That problem is one that is just slight enough to be an issue that may take some time to resolve. That issue just so happens to be one concerning a lack of having a boat in which I can navigate. Therefore I will have to navigate on foot, or maybe float. Whichever one is easier will be the one in which I adopt so as to be able to continue on this journey of exploration and learning and possibly discovery.

Well, learning is its own form of discovery, but that is precisely something. Maybe that is the point of this journey. Maybe instead of finding an idea I’m meant to learn an idea.

This is all stuff I need to ruminate upon. I guess that will happen over the lengthy and expected journey.

The time it took to write five-hundred words: 05:55:24

I’m happy with the speed, but writing still hurts.

Written at home.

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A Few Splashes

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

More rain shots.

Compared to the last one, this one has a lot more space. It feels far less noisy so it’s easier to focus on the larger, sharper splashes.

I don’t really have anything else to say about this shot.

This is my submission into Leanne Cole‘s TPM photo challenge for this week.

The theme for this challenge is “Footprints”.

I feel as though this shot counts as rain splashes are the footprints of rainfall.

A bit of a stretch, but it’s my reasoning.

I suggest checking out Leanne’s photography, as well as checking out what other people submit into the challenge.

You can find the challenges here.

I hope you enjoy.

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Approaching Grass’ Edge

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

The same magpie-lark as this one.

I don’t often see birds like this. I think the magpie-lark’s form is a little odd but also quite interesting.

It seems rather expressive.

This is my submission into Leanne Cole‘s “Monochrome Madness” for this week.
I suggest checking out Leanne’s photography, as well as checking out what other people submit.

A lot of what people are submitting will likely end up here.

I hope you enjoy.

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Five-Hundred Word Challenge 635: Gardening, Working From Home

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

I’ve spent a lot of time this morning squeezing fluid out of one of my fingers. Why?

Gardening.

Had a small thorn bury itself deep into the finger, or at least create a small hole. Not sure if any of it still remains, but the area around it has become swollen and full of fluid. I should probably leave it alone, but the issue is that if I keep trying to do stuff it hurts quite a lot and I’m concerned that it may burst open all at once which is something I’d rather not have to clean up.

The gardening was fun. About five hours of helping remove weeds. Most of my body came out fine. Legs hurt, but are recovering somewhat-quickly.

Now that that’s summarised, let me tell you about the joys of working from home.

Currently my workplace is having a bunch of us work from home, which is fine. I’m saving money on travel, so I’m happy with that aspect. It’s also far less noisy so there’s less tension and stress and less pressure. Despite the large amount of calls coming through, the pressure still is far less than being in the office.

It’s easier to relax… kind of.

The problem I now face is that I’ve got work I don’t want to have in my home in my home and it’s difficult to get away from. I’m now spending time at home speaking to people about stuff I don’t want to. I’m now having aggressive customers in a place where I normally don’t have to worry about that kind of stuff. I’d rather not have that here, to be honest.

I’d much rather not speak to alcoholics and not be allowed to deter them whilst sitting in my home. I’d rather not speak to them when they get a priority delivery first thing in the morning when I’m in a place where I normally feel productive.

It’s good to be able to work from home, but I’d rather not this kind of work. This kind of work is stuff that should stay far and away from home life. It’s stuff that should stay in the office, and even then there should be more avenues and resources to help people out rather than further addictions, just as there should be more resources to deal with people being needlessly aggressive.

I’m glad to still be working and I’m glad that I don’t have to worry about traveling right now. I’m glad that I’m still getting paid and keeping a little bit more money in my pocket. I won’t deny that I’m currently lucky in the current pandemic. That doesn’t mean that the situation and setup is a good one. It’s necessary which is fine, but it’s more incentive to get another job, which of course is currently more difficult. Still, the only thing I can do is keep on trying until I do get a new one.

Either that or begin my masters earlier than I planned.

The time it took to write five-hundred words: 12:54:39

Slow as typing hurts right now.

Probably could’ve been better.

Written at home.

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Illuminated Exit

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

Might be two exits.

I really like how the exit light contrasts with the rest of the area. It’s a very sudden shift and feels more colourful compared to the area being darkened by the gradual onset of evening.

I like how the light lightly lightens part of this road.

I think the positioning of the ten relative to the exit is kind of pleasing.

This photo fees like a simple, basic scene, but I think it might say a lot more than it initially implies.

I hope you enjoy.

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Scorn: Cafe Mor Review

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

This  ended up being much shorter than I thought it would.

A lot of stuff ended up being compressed, but I feel as though I could’ve said much more about the album. This feels a little too much like a summary, though I do think I did alright in making the summary succinct and descriptive.

Along with most of my review and interview work, this review is also on Culture Eater.
My colleague and I set up a Patreon to further develop Culture Eater as a source of good quality arts coverage from both ourselves and our contributors.

We’re looking at what we can give to supporters as we don’t want to set up a one way relationship, so suggestions are welcome. Podcast Eater is one of the things we’ve got going. We’ve recently switch to weekly releases and soon will be giving the patrons a bit more.

Please consider supporting, or at least sharing the Patreon page with others. Please also check out what our wonderful contributors are contributing.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

—

On Scorn’s Cafe Mor a lot of the material seems to blend into each other… at first. It can be a number of listens before the tracks reveal themselves as separate from each other as this is a slow-burning record. It’s almost as though Mick Harris was looking to sketch out something in a few different ways.

The soundscapes are quite dry and sparse in feel, but rich in sound. There’s plenty of auxiliary sounds; some piercing, and some low and elongated, among others. Beats stay simple-sounding but hold a strong impact through their steady and precise punctuation.

A sense of menace comes through and the more the minimal feel of the songs begets the brooding, almost dread-like atmosphere. There’s an aggression there that seems almost inherent to the songs, but it’s not willing to be in your face. The songs stretch out and transform slowly, letting the mood build rather than shoving it in your ears.

There’s a little bit more dub on Cafe Mor than a few of Scorn’s past releases. Often it’s weaving throughout the main body of a song, though sometimes it’ll be right at the forefront, if only for a brief moment. The dub elements make for a snug fit in the Scorn palette; It’s there, it’s noticeable, but its worked into the songs and not the other way around. As such, it often enhances the music’s atmosphere as it’s something else to build off of.

Jason Williamson’s appearance on “Talk Whiff” works really well. He starts off deceptively mundane, but as the song progresses his words gain a sort of uncomfortable, frustrated feel. It’s likely due to the song’s eeriness and the way Jason uses his pitch which makes for a highly effective combination.

Mick Harris didn’t need to bring back Scorn; well, maybe he felt he did. I don’t know. Either way, whilst Feather announced the return, Cafe Mor justifies it. It’s an album both new and familiar, and like many Scorn releases it has a strong sense of atmosphere and identity. It’s sleek, flows well and stays consistent throughout. The guest appearance from James Williamson fits right in with everything else, and whilst minimal, overall the album is rich and full in sound. It’s a welcome addition to Mick Harris’ work.

Cafe Mor is available here.

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A Splash in the Rain

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

This was taken in early February during the storm that (as far as I’m aware) a good chunk of coastal NSW experienced.

Similar to other photos I’ve taken, yet different… maybe.

I think I captured this particular splash well, as well as water’s surface to the left and right of the splash.

There’s a sense of a smooth roughness, I think. Kind of looks like “Chaos“, though of course this is just a very small, focused scene during a much larger event which did cause a bit of chaos for a number of people.

This is also my submission into the eighty-eighth Lens-Artists Photo Challenge.

The challenge is hosted by four people and cycles weekly:

Week 1 – Patti

Week 2 – Ann-Christine aka Leya

Week 3 – Amy

Week 4 – Tina

This one is hosted by Leya. The next will be hosted by Amy.

I recommend giving the challenges a go and seeing how you interpret each theme. I also recommend checking out what other people are doing to meet the challenges.

I hope you enjoy.

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One Thousand Word Challenge 36: Cool, Hip Writer

Posted on March 14, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

Well, I’m at it again as a bit earlier I had the energy and drive to keep on going, but now, not so much. What I really want to do is go and make some guacamole with a couple of peppers from the back yard thrown in. Maybe a bit of garlic and lemon too. Not entirely sure. That’s what I want to do right now, but instead I’m writing about it as I still have the desire to write and somehow capitalise on the energy and drive that I had earlier that I no longer have.

I also have a bag of corn chips, but those are for the guacamole.

Alright, so I’m here, I’m seated, and I’m trying to muster the strength and energy to write about stuff. Need to find the thing and you know the rest, so why am I bothering with writing that bit? Really not sure and I don’t want to spend the time looking for answers. There are other, more important things to do such as filing and… more filing. Alright, there isn’t that much that could be considered as being important to do, but I do want to pretend that there is as then that gives me more drive to keep on going.

This is going to be long. I can feel that I’m struggling already and that’s not a good sign. Still, I’ll, find a way. I’ll find a way to get to some sort of end and therefore once at that end I’ll celebrate by heading off and making something to eat. It’ll be good food. I don’t know if I can provide a recipe, but I can tell you that it will be good as I made it and I’m the best at making anything ever, and no one can tell me otherwise as everyone else is wrong and pretending whilst I am the true ultimate, but I digress.

It’s a bit cold today, but that’s not much of a change from yesterday.

Wait.

It is a bit of a change. yesterday was much warmer, I think. Not quite sure. Anyway, the cold weather is a good thing and a bad thing, but right now it’s nice as I get to be a bit more cosy and warm myself up and wear those thick socks that I so very much like to wear. They’ll keep my feet warm for a while and I can pretend I’m some sort of cool, hip writer sitting in a room that’s normally sunny but not as much as usual due to the rain that just so happens to be the right amount and I’m also completely rugged up and there’s a TEA or COFFEE sitting on this table and I’ve also got a warm fire in a fireplace nearby and I’m just beavering away.

Instead of that, however, it’s socks, beanie, short, pants, no TEA or COFFEE, no rain, no fireplace. Bedroom with light on and beavering away whilst trying to avoid giving myself back pain and keep my hair off my face so it doesn’t distract me from trying to get to the end of all of this. Real challenge, let me tell you. This chair is not the best to sit in and needs replacing, but the money to do so isn’t available so I make do with what I have.

Anyway, where was I?

I think I was trying to imply that I was trying to think of something to write which in itself becomes something to write about whilst trying to avoid acknowledging that that was indeed the subject of what I was writing about. I wonder just as to how often my writing is writing about writing. Don’t want to find out. Just wonder. It’s probably a fair bit more than I think, but a fair bit less than it appears. Maybe it’s exactly how much I think it happens to be. Doesn’t really matter right now, however. What matters is finding a way to get across the topic at hand which is something that I don’t know so I’m just going to write about trying to work out what it is through the power of writing about writing, or at least the idea of writing.

Maybe I won’t. Right now I’m thinking about a time when I wasn’t writing and it wasn’t the best time in my life, although maybe it was. I do know that compared to about ten years ago, writing now takes up a lot more of my time rather than none of it at all and I think that that’s a pretty big improvement. I may not be the best writer or even a good writer. I’m not a worthwhile writer, but I do know that I enjoy writing a lot more than I may or may not let on.

Still, I need to find that energy to write some more right now as there are things that I want to write about, but I don’t know what they are and so I’m stuck in this loop of trying to get the energy back but what I really want to do is go and eat but that would involve getting up which right now might be a little better for my back than sitting on this chair, but I also don’t want to stand. Standing involves effort and I’m lazy and I want to stay being lazy, but staying lazy means nothing gets done so I may as well sit here and write, but that would involve finding that energy from earlier and that’s not something that’s going to happen. It’s a conundrum and I’m, not sure as to how I’m going to work my way out of this one other than through good amounts of progress on getting to the beginning and pulling that energy back. I think. Maybe that won’t be what happens. Maybe instead I’ll run in circles.

Ah, stuff it; I’m just going to go and make some guacamole.

The time it took to write one thousand words: 14:25:52

Not a great piece of writing. I think it flows well, but I was thinking too much instead of letting the words happen.

Written at home.

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Stuck Out: You Won’t Come Home Review

Posted on March 14, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

Here’s a less positive review I wrote for Cool Try where, once more, there isn’t enough detail or description, I think.

I think this review would’ve worked better if I had dug deep about what the E.P. was doing and not doing.

Oh well.

I think this one is a little less rough to read than others shortly beforehand. In some ways it’s closer to how I’m writing now, though that’s not saying much, I think.

This review is as it was when it went up on Cool Try.

Now for the part where I plug other stuff:

Most of my review and interview work now appears on Culture Eater.
My colleague and I set up a Patreon to further develop Culture Eater as a source of good quality arts coverage from both ourselves and our contributors.

We’re looking at what we can give to supporters as we don’t want to set up a one way relationship, so suggestions are welcome. Podcast Eater is one of the things we’ve got going. We’ve recently switch to weekly releases and soon will be giving the patrons a bit more.

Please consider supporting, or at least sharing the Patreon page with others. Please also check out what our wonderful contributors are contributing.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

—

After a few years of being around, Stuck Out have now released their “debut” E.P., You Won’t Come Home.

You Won’t Come Home is full of mid-to-uptempo songs, over-driven guitar, hard drumming, emotional singing and at times bass that is audible rather than being washed over by everything else. The songs rise and fall and parts that are meant to be much more full of energy than others come and go when required.

Lyrics that seem to be about heartache and possibly abuse dominate the vocals throughout each song and are sung with a surprising amount of conviction. They sound like a first draft and come off as both something sung from an adolescent perspective and something that could be cause for concern.

Probably the biggest issue with You Won’t Come Home is that it’s far more by-the-numbers than it should be. Stuck Out were in a position to progress the genres they work with and instead they sound like they played it safe. There’s nothing new or interesting here and the whole thing lacks the depth that it seems to imply.

The second biggest issue would be how sterile You Won’t Come Home sounds. There’s clear attempts at grit and dirt in the sound, but the whole thing is far too polished and sterile for any of it to come through. On top of that, the songs have been rendered to be far louder than they need to be which leads to (aside from the drums) all of the life to be sucked out of the songs. Despite how standard they are, the songs could have gained so much more from being quieter and having a range that didn’t go from “loud” to “much louder”.

Stuck Out have potential, but You Won’t Come Home does little to put any of it on display.

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Thurnby Lane, Evening

Posted on March 14, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

Taken whilst wandering around Newtown.

I like that the image is dark due to low light, though I feel it could’ve used less detail.

I think that some of gaps are filled in by the mind, but perhaps not enough.

Still, I think the light illuminating the lines between bricks works as it’s not too much, and I like the way this photo feels quiet.

I hope you enjoy.

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