Across The Bridge

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

During my walk through the rain I traversed most of the way across Sydney Harbour Bridge from the side that begins at The Rocks.

The rain hitting my raincoat hood (specifically near my ear) sounded like hail, but the rain wasn’t too heavy at the time so I didn’t have to hear it too often.

I was quite soaked at this point but I made my way to under the second pylon whilst occasionally looking out over the harbour.

Under the first pylon it didn’t feel too safe as the wind was blowing through it at a high speed whilst carrying rain a bit faster than outside of the pylon’s confines.

Once at the second pylon I took a few photos.

During my walk across there were two joggers near the start and five guards; three under the first pylon and two under the second. Otherwise the footpath was devoid of people.

I spoke with one of the security guards for a few minutes to try and pass time. Whilst at the second pylon the wind had picked up a great amount. I also wanted to have a brief break from the weather and I felt a little off just standing around not saying anything.

Originally my plan was to go to Milsons Point Station and capture it during the rainfall, but before I’d headed out for the day I discovered that the station was closed and instead rail buses were in operation.

I think that that’s what happened. It may have been partly before and partly after I headed out. Can’t quite remember right now.

Anyway, I’d been thinking about whether I should go the whole way across and see if I could get into Milsons Point Station or not go across the bridge at all. I decided to turn around at the second pylon as I thought the station would likely be closed off. I also didn’t feel like catching a bus back.

One of the guards from the first pylon had walked over to the second; I walked out from under the second pylon and into the wind and rain in order to head to Circular Quay. Thankfully the wind didn’t stay strong for the whole of my crossing.

This shot faces the The Rocks end of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

I feel as though the shot makes the footpath seem “Narrow“. The footpath kind of is, but also kind of not.

This is another photo where I like how the rain plays with the light.

I think there’s a good sense of distance. I also think the bridge’s arch feels quite large. So does the first pylon off in the distance.

I like that almost everything in this photo is uniform in colour. I’m not sure why.

Overall I think the photo has good composition, as well as some nice shapes and line work.

This is also my submission into the eighty-fourth 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 Amy. The next will be hosted by Tina.

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 challenge.

I hope you enjoy.

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Reaching Flame

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

This was taken almost two years ago during one of the field trips to Smiths Lake in which I was involved.

I like the shape that the flames take in this shot. I think they look smooth and wisp-like.

I think that not being able to see the firewood in detail works in this photo’s favour as the focus remains on the flames.

I think it would’ve been beneficial if the whole of the fire was in complete focus, but I’m not overly fussed.

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

The theme for this challenge is “Fireworks”.

I believe this fits as fire works well when it comes to burning certain things.

Overall I don’t think this is a good challenge. Sure, one can think outside the box but I feel as though it’s only challenging in who can participate.

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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Next service 1 min

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

This was taken during my heading home after being in the city to take photos whilst it was raining.

I took the light rail a good chunk of the way as I wanted to take photos at this stop. I also wanted to read for a bit more time than the train would afford. Not sure if I read as much as I thought I would.

It was still raining when this photo was taken. I took it from under shelter which was more for the camera than it was for me at that point.

I don’t think this is a great photo. Maybe it’s good.

I do like how the rainfall has enhanced the light’s strength in some parts. I also like how this feels like a simple scene. It’s showing something based on routine and it just happens to be raining.

I think that’s what it’s showing.

I hope you enjoy.

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Red Hot Chili Peppers: The Getaway Review

Posted on February 15, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

This review needed a bit more work. I think some parts of it are complete, but others are underdone.

I like it, but it’s not a great review, I think.

As with most of my review and interview work, this 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. One of the things we’ve set up is a podcast with each episode coming out fortnightly to every three weeks. 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.

—

The band known as Red Hot Chili Peppers were… fuck it. Here’s the review.

Mellow and laid-back seemed to be the feelings The Chili Peppers were aiming for on The Getaway as, aside from a few songs, most of it plays along fairly calmly (at least compared to most previous releases), as well as just enough sound for songs to not feel sparse.

However, there are some tracks that are a bit more up-tempo (“Goodbye Angels”, “This Ticonderoga”) that help balance the album, coming in at the right points in the tracklist to help keep the album flowing smoothly.

Despite the uptempo tracks being in the minority, the band play everything with energy and enthusiasm, with nothing feeling lazy.

The album works well, although the tracks do feel a bit weaker than they could have been. Much of the material feels a bit too safe. There isn’t anything wrong with that, but the songs feel as though they should be a bit harder-hitting than they are. Still, the songs work well together and flow in a smooth order.

With that being said, tracks such as “The Longest Wave” and “Go Robot” feel as though they needed a bit more work than the other tracks. They feel a bit weaker than the rest of the album.

Probably what would be a real standout track that both calls back to where they’ve been whilst pushing forward would be the closing track, “Dreams of a Samurai”. It has an expansive, atmospheric sound that, whilst feels out of place with the rest of the album, also works quite well as the closer. It feels as though it’s reminiscing sadly, yet also feels somewhat uplifting without being overblown.

Whilst everyone plays well, Josh Klinghoffer’s performance is notworthy, as both he and the rest of the band seem more comfortable with him than on I’m With You. His playing is fitting much better into where the sound of RHCP is at the moment allowng the band to sound less confused and more expansive.

Anthony Kiedis’ lyrics still aren’t the greatest, but he’s delivering them with enough sincerity for them to not feel forced and phoned in. It would be nice for them to be better developed, but they work.

The Getaway is an album that shows that Red Hot Chili Peppers aren’t quite done.
There are some miss-steps and It’s not great by any measure, but it’s pleasant enough to listen to.
Overall, it works well, but more importantly, it’s an indicator that they still can make good music.

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Fish Splash

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

A shot captured during my attempt to capture fish midair.

I like how this splash looks like it is twisting around itself. I think that it creates an interesting shape that incorporates motion and a small sense of temporary disarray.

I hope you enjoy.

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Five-Hundred Word Challenge 624: Being Lazy, Should be Reviewing

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

Contact sweating on this chair which I’ve long decided is not one especially comfortable to use, but considering the position I’m in, there’s little choice so I use it… as a chair.

Well, that makes for a sentence. Onto the next one.

I’m meant to be playing catch up on a bunch of reviews right now, but I’ve been having a lazy morning.It seems as though it’s required, but there are other things that I could be doing with my time, such as finishing off the reviews I need to finish off so that I can then move onto other reviews and then once caught up get back to living my life to the fullest, or whatever it is that those people say.

Though with that all said, the laziness strikes out and claims me as its captor on this fine morning. Still, there are a few hours to go before I need to be anywhere, so who is to say that I can’t be lazy and also get stuff done before the obligatory heading to the location of earning money by enduring abuse from people? Who is to say that both laziness and productivity cannot both happen on the same day?

I don’t know, but if I did, then I would be in the know, rather than out of the loop and of course being in the know, whilst not always desired, is probably preferable in certain situations. I’m not sure as to what those situations are; well, not at the moment as I cannot be bothered to think of what those situations would be as that would mean thinking about things that I don’t want to think about as I’d much rather enjoy the sweet sounds of this album that I’m not enjoying instead of think about the possibility and the potential.

Perhaps if I did, that would unlock the potential within me and that way I could be a better version of me, but instead of doing that I’m just going to sit here and listen to music that is not conducive for studying due to its lack of fidelity in the low range, as well as its lack of beat-centricity. Somehow it works for getting this out which may suggest that the music is easy to tune out, which might not be a good thing and as such may be something that I’d need to include in the review when I finish it off.

Well, I guess with all of that being said, I should get to work on getting things done so I don’t have to worry about getting them done at a later juncture. Rather get it out of the way now rather than later, to be honest. Too much laziness has meant far more effort than I’d like to dole out right now.

Perhaps once I’ve finally caught up I can just be lazy again. Loosely place myself somewhere and stare out into space with a blank stare.

Or I could keep going.

The time it took to write five-hundred words: 06:50:24

Kind of a post about writing. Kind of.

I’m happy with the result. Just feels really silly, but also focused.

Well, some parts feel focused. Not all of it.

Written at home.

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Somewhere Along Kent Street

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

On Sunday I walked through Sydney CBD.

I thought that due to the amount of rain we’d been receiving, it would be a good time to get into the city and take photos.

I think it’s safe to say that I was satisfied with the trip.

The city was mostly empty. Few people were willing to be out and so I got a few shots of places looking somewhat-empty.

Here’s one of the shots from the day.

I think the rain hitting the ground came through nicely.

I also think that despite there being a few parked vehicles, there is a feeling of the area being left alone.

There’s also a strong sense of stillness that I like.

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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Trio of Ibes

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

This was taken a few weeks ago during a particularly warm day.

The grass in the park area had yellowed from lack of rain.
The ibes were coping with the heat as well as they could, though they may have been desiring more than scattered shade.

This photo is available as a print.

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

The theme for this one is “Future“.

I feel that this shot fits as animals and their well-being is likely going to be a strong part of our future.

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 checking out the challenge to see how people interpret each theme.
I also recommend giving it a go.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

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Lightning Bolt: Sonic Citadel Review

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

At the moment I’m trying to finish a bunch of music reviews before the end of the month so I can then play catch up on a few more reviews in early March.

Here’s one of the reviews.

I think that this is kind of more openly transitional when it comes to style… I think. Could be wrong. Not sure.

As with most of my review and interview work, this 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. One of the things we’ve set up is a podcast with each episode coming out fortnightly to every three weeks. 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.

—

Lightning Bolt is an appropriate name for a band that sounds as manic and abrasive as Lightning Bolt does. Sonic Citadel is an appropriate name for an album as massive and sound-based as Sonic Citadel.

The album doesn’t start running so much as it does rocketing. “Blow to the Head” makes a strong impression as it’s the sound of a band going all out and then some. There’s so much force and energy in the first eighteen seconds that the song almost becomes the entirety of its title. Once the vocals and scaling bass lines kick in “Blow to the Head” becomes even more full-on.

Whilst the album is somewhat in the same vein as “Blow to the Head”, some tracks are less extreme; A few come close to having pop-like structures. “Don Henley in the Park” stands out in this regard, being mostly airy and light compared to what’s on either of its immediate sides. It’s a song that makes for a nice break before getting back into the thick of things.

“All Insane” is probably the most straightforward, ballad-like song on the album. It’s a bit more grounded than “Don Henley…”, what with its really straightforward bass lines and drumming. The vocals seem a bit simpler and more clear than on other songs, and they seem to be expressing something vaguely uplifting.

If “Van Halen 2049” didn’t exist, then “All Insane” would be the right closer for Sonic Citadel.

“Van Halen 2049” sounds like Lightning Bolt carefully avoiding descending into a complete and utter mass of chaos. Lightning Bolt sound absolutely free in a way that suggests that perhaps they were holding back beforehand. They make the song’s discordance work with the rhythm, making it feel all-encompassing and immense. It’s the best choice for closing Sonic Citadel. None of the other tracks would’ve worked as well.

Overall Sonic Citadel is a wonderfully whimsical album. At first it seems to drag, but on repeat listens it feels like it compresses itself a little bit more, though not with every track. Dropping one or two of the songs might’ve made for an improvement. Maybe. It’s difficult to tell.

However, it’s clear that Lightning Bolt take to their songs in a way that puts bands far younger than them to shame. There’s a strong sense that they find what they’re doing exciting. It comes through so much that despite being overwhelming at times, Sonic Citadel is both fun and satisfying.

Sonic Citadel is available here.

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The Line Ride: Heading to UNSW Edition

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Stupidity Hole

This was something I did my best to avoid. I left home earlier than necessary so I could get to uni without having to worry about being stuck in this line. Leaving early also meant I’d seldom be stuck in traffic.

I think this photo gives a good idea of how long the line for the bus to UNSW could grow.
Something to bear in mind: I was somewhere between ten and twenty metres from the head of the line. The part in which I was standing is about three or four times wider than the part of the line visible in this photo.

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

The theme for this challenge is “Street Photography”.

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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