The Australian radio station Triple J (also known as JJJ) celebrated it´s vote of the hottest 100 songs of all time recently. As the entire blogging world no doubt knows, Angus commented on the result, suggesting that the listeners of said station were out of touch with popular culture (while simultaneously suggesting Stevie Wonder as his second favourite artist of all time!)
It was actually a very good post, you should go and check it out here.
I have to agree with his general view on things, a lot of the songs (or at least the artists) on that list are ones I enjoy, but certainly not ones that I listen to regularly. Nirvana, Queen and the Foofighters are definitely in this category.
So I´ve been thinking about it and about my favourite songs and I´ve come up with some lists of my own. The following are all artists I listen to regularly and really love their music, not just the songs listed, but these are probably my favourites. Listed in no particular order(and I could easily list a dozen for each artist)...
Blackalicious - Feel the way
Johny Cash - Four Strong Winds
Van Morrison - Moondance
Hilltop Hoods - Nosebleed Section
Eminem - Lose Yourself
Nick Cave - Ship Song
If I had nothing but the music of thes 6 artists for the rest of my life I could deal with that. Special mention must go to
Sir Mix-a-lot - Baby got back
Try and find a (youngish) person who doesn´t like this song! Also, one of all my all time favourites, even though I don´t know any of their other songs, is
the Choirboys - Run to Paradise
I love that song, and have done for a long time.
The following are songs and artists which would definitely fit into my top 100 (no problem at all). Some have many great songs, some only have one song worth listening to (Funky Cold Medina anyone?)
Kanye West - Golddigger
Guns and Roses - Cold november rain
Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory
Fujees - Killing me softly
Roxette - Listen to your heart
Grandmaster Flash - The Message
Bob Marley - Buffalo Soldiers
Survivor - Eye of the Tiger
Tone Loc - Funky Cold Medina
Michael Jackson - Billy Jean
Foofighters - All my life
Grinspoon - Bad Funk Stripe
Public Enemy - Fight the Power
Lupe Fiasco - Kick Push
Bliss n Esso - Up jumped the boogie
Greenday - Time of your life
Special mention must go to the last song. Yes it´s cheesy and massively overused, but it´s actually a fantastic song and very effective at getting people emotional at graduations and similar events.
And the following three songs should be on every Australians top ten list of all time, at least in my personal opinion. They sum up Australia in music. The only possible addition is Tenterfield Saddler, by Peter Allen, but I´ve very rarely heard it.
Icehouse - Great Southern Land
Gangajang - Sounds of Then (that´s the one with the lyrics - out on the patio we sit...)
Men at Work - Land Downunder
So that´s some of the music that I like and that I think has stood the test of time.
I can´t really comment on the rest of the Australian public. I think there´s a still a general dislike or antipathy towards rap music in Australia, especially because many people still automatically associate it with ¨gangsta rap¨and all the negative connotations that brings up. The Hilltop Hoods (and to a lesser extent Eminem) are probably the real breakthrough artists for rap in Australia, they definitely were for me, no doubt at all.
And Angus listed ¨The Boxer¨by Simon and Garfunkel. I haven´t heard that song in years and years, I used to really love it. If I had it on my MP3 player I think it might have made my list as well.
And since my non-existent readers are probably singing to themselves ¨when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist and a round thing in your face....¨here´s some music for you!
cheers
Harry
ps not much posting lately because of travel and crappy internet cafes. Definitely lots to share though.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
There´s something weird in the fridge today, don´t know what it is...
something I can´t recognise.....
Maybe I´m a bad person, but I feel absolutely nothing in relation to the death of Michael Jackson. Maybe a slight annoyance at the excessive and gratuitous coverage, but since I´m in a foreign country and without a TV or enough Spanish to read a newspaper, that´s not really a big deal. Probably my biggest exposure has been nightclubs playing lots of Michael Jackson songs and that´s probably a good thing anyway.
Now I like Jackson´s music, especially if I´m out somewhere. I´ve never really cared for the man himself and like most people have been horrified by his various antics over the years.
However, I really feel neither happiness nor sadness, elation or despair, or anything else for that matter, at news of his passing. I really couldn´t care less.
I just read the following article about the death of John F Kennedy junior showing the similarities between the two situations. I highly recommend it, I laughed out loud as I read it.
Click here, go on, do yourself a favour.
cheers
Harry
Maybe I´m a bad person, but I feel absolutely nothing in relation to the death of Michael Jackson. Maybe a slight annoyance at the excessive and gratuitous coverage, but since I´m in a foreign country and without a TV or enough Spanish to read a newspaper, that´s not really a big deal. Probably my biggest exposure has been nightclubs playing lots of Michael Jackson songs and that´s probably a good thing anyway.
Now I like Jackson´s music, especially if I´m out somewhere. I´ve never really cared for the man himself and like most people have been horrified by his various antics over the years.
However, I really feel neither happiness nor sadness, elation or despair, or anything else for that matter, at news of his passing. I really couldn´t care less.
I just read the following article about the death of John F Kennedy junior showing the similarities between the two situations. I highly recommend it, I laughed out loud as I read it.
Click here, go on, do yourself a favour.
cheers
Harry
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Is it because I am fat?
the second funniest video of all time...
A Very Special F*#king Valentine -- powered by Cracked.com
Cheers
Harry
A Very Special F*#king Valentine -- powered by Cracked.com
Cheers
Harry
Friday, June 12, 2009
No need for training wheels...
This is possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen on video and it has absolutely nothing to do with whitewater kayaking. I can´t recommend it highly enough, you should check it out.
cheers
Harry
cheers
Harry
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Sarah Conner?
What is the world going to be like in 4 years time? What will the post Obama landscape look like?
Read this article for one possible scenario advising the Republican party in how to rebuild.
Best paragraph:
So as you hear from different pundits on what the Republicans need to do to regain power, remember that the key is that any workable idea must start with a realistic look at what challenges lie before us. That means it must account for radiation, killing each other over food and gasoline, flesh-eating mutants, ape-men, and deadly robots. It’s a hard reality to face, but it can be a good time for Republican gains if we’re prepared and properly armed. And if the ape-men and robots join forces, causing us to face cybernetic monkey-men, then let’s just say we better have found the next Reagan by then or we’re all done for.
cheers
Harry
Read this article for one possible scenario advising the Republican party in how to rebuild.
Best paragraph:
So as you hear from different pundits on what the Republicans need to do to regain power, remember that the key is that any workable idea must start with a realistic look at what challenges lie before us. That means it must account for radiation, killing each other over food and gasoline, flesh-eating mutants, ape-men, and deadly robots. It’s a hard reality to face, but it can be a good time for Republican gains if we’re prepared and properly armed. And if the ape-men and robots join forces, causing us to face cybernetic monkey-men, then let’s just say we better have found the next Reagan by then or we’re all done for.
cheers
Harry
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Here come the clog wogs...
I think the headline says it all.
Dutch humiliate England in T20 opener.
I think this is absolutely fantastic. Firstly, because nobody really likes the English, so it´s nice to have something to rub their noses in.
But the main reason is because 20-20 is just not cricket. Sure, it has a bat and a ball, but it´s not cricket in any traditional sense of the game. Having a super power such as England lose to a minnow such as Holland illustrates this in a way that nothing else does.
Personally I think it´s great that the Dutch have done so well, but we shouldn´t gloat too much, after all, it´s happened once, the next time Canada will probably beat Australia!
cheers
Harry
Dutch humiliate England in T20 opener.
I think this is absolutely fantastic. Firstly, because nobody really likes the English, so it´s nice to have something to rub their noses in.
But the main reason is because 20-20 is just not cricket. Sure, it has a bat and a ball, but it´s not cricket in any traditional sense of the game. Having a super power such as England lose to a minnow such as Holland illustrates this in a way that nothing else does.
Personally I think it´s great that the Dutch have done so well, but we shouldn´t gloat too much, after all, it´s happened once, the next time Canada will probably beat Australia!
cheers
Harry
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Crossing from Ecuador to Peru via Zumba and La Balsa
Crossing from Ecuador to Peru via Zumba and La Balsa (south of Vilcabamba)? Well, I´ve just done it, let me share my knowledge!
From Vilcabamba your best bet is to catch the 0630 bus that goes to Zumba. This leaves from halfway between the plaza and the highway (roughly). It´s pretty easy to find, especially if you ask the day before.
From here you have quite a long ride until you get to Zumba. The best views are on the left hand side. There´s a couple of nice towns along the way, in fact they´re probably nicer than Vilcabamba since they´re not full of stinking hippies trying to sell you jewellery!
From Zumba the bus deposits you in a muddy bus park. There´s some little restaurants here. Wait around for a bit and a collectivo/ranchero (truck with seats in the back) will show up. The ride takes maybe 2 hours and is VERY uncomfortable. If you´ve got money to burn, take a taxi instead (4wd twin cab ute), more expensive but much more comfortable. The rancheros go all day not twice a day as listed in some guidebooks.
On the way to the border the police checked our documents, have your passport ready.
Once at the border, the immigration office is on your left, it´s extremely obvious. The official was helpful, quick and spoke no english at all. There´s a couple of places you can swap dollars for soles (rate was 2.8 soles per dollar, while the actual rate is more like 3.08 soles per dollar, so not too bad).
For here, you now walk across to Peru.
As you walk along the bridge, directly in front and very slightly to your left is a restaurant. Very slightly to your right are some government offices. The last door to the right is the one you want, it has a sign saying ¨Migraciones¨.
The first thing you need to do is get a swine flu form filled out by a doctor. If you are in luck she´ll be in the migration office, otherwise you´ll have to walk further down to your right and look for the post office.
If she is there proffer your passport and deny all knowledge of any flu like symptoms. Then give your passport to the migration guy. After he´s finished you have to see the police. Their office is to the left of the bridge (the left as you walked over it from Ecuador) and down a slope. Go round a corner where there is an office and a computer. Once the cops have looked at your paperwork and given you a stamp go back to the migration office where your passport will be stamped. You´re now free to go.
From here you need to escape.
Taxis will be parked next to the bridge. When negotiating, find out how many passengers will be travelling. For 5 to 6 passengers you will probably pay 10-12 soles per person to get to San Ignacio. If you´re paying more and they try and squash you in than jack up and refuse (that´s what I did!) It would be much more comfortable with less people. You could also hire a motor trike (tuk tuk) but they are slow, open and poorly suspended, not much of a ride.
From San Ignacio you can get a collectivo (mini van) to Jaen. We payed 10 soles each. They squeeze them in, so don´t expect too much comfort.
From Jaen normally you could then catch a bus to Chachapoyas.
Unfortunately, the road is currently blocked by local indigenous people unhappy about it´s existence (or something).
We took a taxi to Bellavista (6 soles each), a trike from Bellavista to the river (2 soles each), a boat across the river (2 soles each and very dodgy!) and then a taxi to Bagua Grande (6 soles each).
Normally there should be buses from Bagua Grande, but they were running taxis instead (set price of 22 soles to Chachapoyas). If you can negotiate at the river to get to Chachapoyas for less than 25 soles each I´d take that. Also, the suspension on a lot of these vehicles is shot and they´re VERY uncomfortable. Look around for a good one.
A friend told me (after meeting very coincidentally in Chachapoyas) that they simply walked through the blockade and then took a trike to Bagua Grande and then a taxi to Chachapoyas. That would be easier, although a similar price.
Also, but incidentally, I managed to miss the 0630 bus from Vilcabamba (I can´t work out how to make my alarm go on my watch) and so took the 1030 bus instead. This was fine except that the Peruvian immigration didn´t want anything to do with us and told us to come back in the morning (he was cock deep and rooting when we walked past his window). Luckily another official was more helpful and put us up in an official building with nice beds (used my sleeping bag) and cable TV! The only downside was the complete absence of toilet paper anywhere in the building :(
There is also a sign for a hostal in La Balsa, but no indications if it´s actually open.
If going back the other way the collectivos run from the border through to Zumba for most of the day, so you should have no worries finding one.
Hope someone finds this useful, I found it very hard to find info on the subject!
cheers
Harry
EDIT
As of 05 June, the police have moved in and broken up the blockade. Possibly shooting protestors. In response the protestors have been rioting through Bagua, destroying buildings and killing and kidnapping a number of police. As such, I would not recommend the Zumba crossing, as it´s necessary to get through Bagua Grande to use it. Also, any travel in the area is probably not recommended, as thousands of fired up Indians with spears and lots of angry cops with machine guns looking for retribution do not make a good combination for those in the middle!
From Vilcabamba your best bet is to catch the 0630 bus that goes to Zumba. This leaves from halfway between the plaza and the highway (roughly). It´s pretty easy to find, especially if you ask the day before.
From here you have quite a long ride until you get to Zumba. The best views are on the left hand side. There´s a couple of nice towns along the way, in fact they´re probably nicer than Vilcabamba since they´re not full of stinking hippies trying to sell you jewellery!
From Zumba the bus deposits you in a muddy bus park. There´s some little restaurants here. Wait around for a bit and a collectivo/ranchero (truck with seats in the back) will show up. The ride takes maybe 2 hours and is VERY uncomfortable. If you´ve got money to burn, take a taxi instead (4wd twin cab ute), more expensive but much more comfortable. The rancheros go all day not twice a day as listed in some guidebooks.
On the way to the border the police checked our documents, have your passport ready.
Once at the border, the immigration office is on your left, it´s extremely obvious. The official was helpful, quick and spoke no english at all. There´s a couple of places you can swap dollars for soles (rate was 2.8 soles per dollar, while the actual rate is more like 3.08 soles per dollar, so not too bad).
For here, you now walk across to Peru.
As you walk along the bridge, directly in front and very slightly to your left is a restaurant. Very slightly to your right are some government offices. The last door to the right is the one you want, it has a sign saying ¨Migraciones¨.
The first thing you need to do is get a swine flu form filled out by a doctor. If you are in luck she´ll be in the migration office, otherwise you´ll have to walk further down to your right and look for the post office.
If she is there proffer your passport and deny all knowledge of any flu like symptoms. Then give your passport to the migration guy. After he´s finished you have to see the police. Their office is to the left of the bridge (the left as you walked over it from Ecuador) and down a slope. Go round a corner where there is an office and a computer. Once the cops have looked at your paperwork and given you a stamp go back to the migration office where your passport will be stamped. You´re now free to go.
From here you need to escape.
Taxis will be parked next to the bridge. When negotiating, find out how many passengers will be travelling. For 5 to 6 passengers you will probably pay 10-12 soles per person to get to San Ignacio. If you´re paying more and they try and squash you in than jack up and refuse (that´s what I did!) It would be much more comfortable with less people. You could also hire a motor trike (tuk tuk) but they are slow, open and poorly suspended, not much of a ride.
From San Ignacio you can get a collectivo (mini van) to Jaen. We payed 10 soles each. They squeeze them in, so don´t expect too much comfort.
From Jaen normally you could then catch a bus to Chachapoyas.
Unfortunately, the road is currently blocked by local indigenous people unhappy about it´s existence (or something).
We took a taxi to Bellavista (6 soles each), a trike from Bellavista to the river (2 soles each), a boat across the river (2 soles each and very dodgy!) and then a taxi to Bagua Grande (6 soles each).
Normally there should be buses from Bagua Grande, but they were running taxis instead (set price of 22 soles to Chachapoyas). If you can negotiate at the river to get to Chachapoyas for less than 25 soles each I´d take that. Also, the suspension on a lot of these vehicles is shot and they´re VERY uncomfortable. Look around for a good one.
A friend told me (after meeting very coincidentally in Chachapoyas) that they simply walked through the blockade and then took a trike to Bagua Grande and then a taxi to Chachapoyas. That would be easier, although a similar price.
Also, but incidentally, I managed to miss the 0630 bus from Vilcabamba (I can´t work out how to make my alarm go on my watch) and so took the 1030 bus instead. This was fine except that the Peruvian immigration didn´t want anything to do with us and told us to come back in the morning (he was cock deep and rooting when we walked past his window). Luckily another official was more helpful and put us up in an official building with nice beds (used my sleeping bag) and cable TV! The only downside was the complete absence of toilet paper anywhere in the building :(
There is also a sign for a hostal in La Balsa, but no indications if it´s actually open.
If going back the other way the collectivos run from the border through to Zumba for most of the day, so you should have no worries finding one.
Hope someone finds this useful, I found it very hard to find info on the subject!
cheers
Harry
EDIT
As of 05 June, the police have moved in and broken up the blockade. Possibly shooting protestors. In response the protestors have been rioting through Bagua, destroying buildings and killing and kidnapping a number of police. As such, I would not recommend the Zumba crossing, as it´s necessary to get through Bagua Grande to use it. Also, any travel in the area is probably not recommended, as thousands of fired up Indians with spears and lots of angry cops with machine guns looking for retribution do not make a good combination for those in the middle!
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