independence : inspiration : ideas : lifestyle : sustainability : humanity : well-being : fun

Weblog | Events | Features | Gallery | Links | Consultants directory | Zine | About | Contact Weblog> October 2003 031030: Thu NEWTOWN FESTIVAL 2003: “ The World On Your Street” 9th November 2003 10am – 6pm, Camperdown Memorial Rest Park create + celebrate + initiate + activate + stimulate + congregate Presented by the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre, the 24th annual NEWTOWN FESTIVAL is one of Sydney’s largest free community festivals attracting up to 80,000 people annually from all over Sydney and beyond. “ The World On Your Street”, this year’s festival theme exposes Newtown as the diverse pulsating, dynamic, living organism it truly is. So think celebration, think colour, think creative creatures! There’ll be: MUSIC EVERYWHERE! Over 3 stages – band announcements coming soon! Highlights include: STALLS: There’s also 250 art, craft & merchandise stalls selling rare and curious items WRITERS TENT: Readings by Authors, Poets, & Playwrights as well as panel discussion on cutting edge issues about the environment and politics ELECTRO LOUNGE: Lounge around and chill out while listening to wickedly cool beatsby top DJs INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR: Mouth watering cuisine from around the world PRODUCERS MARKET: This year there will also be a small producers market in Lennox St side of the park ENVIRONMENTAL AREA: under the trees a colourful enviro-village will be set up with loads of info, workshops, worm farms, funky stalls & exhibitions FASHION AREA: Fashion displays and parades by Newtown’s new streetware and fetish designers, as well as recycled rags For information about the festival and media opportunities - call Sue Andersen Ph: 95164777 or 0427 863486 or email festival@newtowncentre.org International Weblogger Meetup Day - Wednesday 19 November 2003 @ 7pm Webloggers around the world can meet up with fellow Webloggers in their local city. You can vote for a venue for the upcoming Webloggers Meetup day now! Go to http://blog.meetup.com to vote or find out more info. International Zines Meetup Day - Thursday 13 November 2003 @ 8pm Zinesters around the world can meet up with fellow zinesters in their local city. You can vote for a venue for the upcoming Zine Meetup day now! Go to http://zines.meetup.com to vote or find out more info. 031029: Wed Adobe Creative Suite Event - FREE The date for the Sydney event is Thursday 13th November 2003. Adobe are running seminars throughout Australia to promote their new Adobe Creative Suite. Blurb says: "Adobe Creative Suite is the complete design solution for print and Web publishing. Featuring new and full versions of Adobe's most famous software, Adobe Creative Suite combines Adobe Photoshop CS, Adobe Illustrator CS, Adobe InDesign CS and Adobe GoLive CS with Acrobat 6.0 Professional and the new and innovative Version Cue - the enhancement that brings your files together and your ideas to life. At our special event we will show you the real business benefits of using the Adobe Creative Suite in your digital workflow. You will also see how tight integration allows you to switch applications without slowing down, thanks to common commands, tools and palettes. And, of course, we will include in-depth demonstrations of each new version of the component products." To register to the event, go to: http://www.juicemedia.com.au/adobe/cs/home.asp Chaos Generation hard copy zine If you'd like a free copy of the first issue of the Chaos Generation zine, email me your name and mailing address to kirsten@chaosgeneration.com and I'll send a copy to you via snail mail. Contents: Cover: Lyrebird illustration by W. Chew Chan; About Chaos Generation; Red Carpet 1st Anniversary Show; Weblinks: interesting stuff on the web; Sarah Breen: Interior designer; W. Chew Chan; Comic book artist; Adam Russell, Princiopal of VIM Design; Marion van den driesschen: Artist; What is Open Source? By Mike McCormack Stu magazine Stu magazine have commissioned Deanne Cheuk to design the latest issue of Stu magazine and it's called 'The New York Issue'. She's originally from Perth and is now based in New York. She's worked with David Carson and lots of well known publications including her Tokion and her own Neomu magazine. This is a freebie magazine that's probably still available from one of the shops along Newtown if you look out for it. It's an issue worth getting and holding onto just because Deanne designed it. I imagine all the copies will probably be gone soon. 031026: Sun Today Went to the Moose expresso cafe for lunch today, on King St. Liked the vibe there. Yummy, casual food that's v.reasonably priced there as well. Saw a guy with a copy of the Chaos Generation zine on the table where he was sitting. He then started to read it whilst waiting for his order. That was cool! Saw this zine called 'Solid-gold Roller-skates' by Andrew Merrigan. Read the whole thing through. It's a comic. It was pretty cool! Then passed by this second hand retro type shop on the corner and they had the coolest pair of comfy lounge chairs for $60! You could easily lie across the chairs like a sofa bed or something. The upholstery consisted of horizontal stripes of orange and brown etc and it looked very 70s. I would've bought them if I had an office or something. Wish I had a digital camera on me a that moment. Then in the afternoon, I went into the CBD. Saw this teenage Asian girl skating in the Kinokuniya bookstore and everyone was looking at her skating shoes. They weren't rollerbades or rollerskates but like roller shoes and it looked like the wheel could be taken off or hidden and then you'd be left with normal sports shoes. They are roller sneakers! Then dropped off some zines to Red Eye Records, Glue and the Levi's shop in town. Then bought a few CDs. Haven't bought any for a while so it's good to get some fresh CDs. 031025: Sat Zine distribution The zines were finally ready to be picked up last Friday. The next step was to figure out how to distribute them. That afternoon, I gave out a couple to my colleagues. Then on the Saturday, I went to literally every cafe, record shop and any other shop I thought might accept the zines along King St, Newtown and Glebe Point Rd, Glebe. With some outlets, the people behind the counter were very casual and cool about it, others wanted to have a closer look at it and see what it was all about before accepting it, which was fine. One said I could pin it up on the wall only which was fun etc... I also handed out some outside the Glebe markets. There were a few people giving out flyers including a couple of people handing out flyers about an upcoming rally to protest Bush's visit. They were very vocal and passionate about their cause so some customers either took the flyer and walked through the market or just quickly walked through. Anyway, a guy handing out a different flyer thought that suddenly people weren't taking his one. He kicked over their tables of materials and then a bit of a tussle kind of broke out. A police car driving past stopped. By that time, I was more than ready to call it a day anyway. Was happy to let them work out their free standing space real estate issues. I just wanted to get some food and have a bit of a rest. Was intending to drive to Bronte Beach to have a bit of a break but then ended up in Watson's Bay somehow. So my friend and I ended up having fish and chips in the Doyles Bistro I think it was - it's the casual, outdoor dining space part. Then on Sunday, I gave some to my friends who were going take some to their uni's and hand it out to their friends, and that night, Sarah and Betty of Red Carpet kindly let me hand them out to the patrons. We put one on each seat and it was cool to see some people open them up fully and were reading it, whilst waiting for the short films to start. Some put them into their pockets and handbags! That was really cool to see! Gave more out during the week to colleagues, friends etc. Also started to mail a few. Last Thursday I also took some to the Kinokuniya bookshop. Then today, I dropped some off at Erskenville and Surry Hills. I'm feeling really tired now! Kill Bill Saw Kill Bill last Wednesday night. It was great! After a while you get used to the gory, eg limbs flying and blood spraying everywhere etc. The fact that it's so gory and out there, means that it feels a more like watching a cartoon or a superhero action film rather than anything too real. 031015: Wed Q+A with Betty King, co-director of the Red Carpet events Read more about the reasons for having the Red Carpet short film festival events and a bit about the two women behind the events: Betty King and Sarah Runcie. It's on this Sunday night 19th October at the Valhalla Cinemas. It's the 1st Anniversary Show! Catch it if you can! Proceeds go to charity. Chaos Generation zine ready tomorrow! The printers have said that they should have the 3000 copies of the zine printed and folded and ready for pickup tomorrow! Can't wait to see the finished product! Creativity Machine blog Jean Burgess is a graduate research student in cultural studies at The University of Queensland. She publishes a blog called Creativity Machine. Tagline: 'Creativity, culture and technology--a research blog'. It's a great blog - really interesting read! Sydney talks Georgie Vestey puts out a free publication listing talks, lectures etc around Sydney each month. You can pick up a copy at various bookshops, libraries etc, or you can simply access the latest copy online. You can also subscribe to it and get it automatically sent to you via email. The Zentrepreneur Inc's website has an article titled 'The Zentrepreneur'. The article outlines restauranteur Phil Suarez's business success. The article discusses how Suarez and Vongerichten (chef and restaurant partner) does things which they're passionate about, which interests them and keeps them stimulated, rather than following a strictly defined path to business success. 031012: Sun Noise on Screen - over various mediums in October 2003 "noise on screen is a 4-part series on ABC TV which turns the cameras on young Australian media makers creating innovative screen-based works. Each episode will be available the day after they are broadcast on ABC TV. You will need Real Player to watch them. You can catch the features online as well if you missed it the tv screening of it, or if you want to watch it again. IG Nobel Prizes "Each year, ten Ig Nobel Prizes are awarded. The selection criterion is simple. The prizes are for "achievements that cannot or should not be reproduced." Examine that phrase carefully. It covers a lot of ground. It says nothing as to whether a thing is good or bad, commendable or pernicious." View the list of 2003 winners and previous years' winners at the Improbable.com website. This year there's an Australian winner in the Physics category: PHYSICS "Jack Harvey, John Culvenor, Warren Payne, Steve Cowley, Michael Lawrance, David Stuart, and Robyn Williams of Australia, for their irresistible report "An Analysis of the Forces Required to Drag Sheep over Various Surfaces." [PUBLISHED IN: Applied Ergonomics, vol. 33, no. 6, November 2002, pp. 523-31. A copy is available at http://www.culvenor.com/] WHO ATTENDED THE IG NOBEL CEREMONY: John Culvenor." Design for Water: Harnessing or Wasting a Precious Resource? Monday 27th October 2003 Organised by the RAIA Architects Network Upper North Districts Meeting Water has become a more urgent issue in the sustainability debate following a lengthy drought which still shows no signs of abating for some regional areas and renders our dams well below capacity to serve the urban usage. A Panel of practitioners/researchers experienced in their field with applications to the built environment have been invited to shed some light on the complexities of water use and conservation. THE PANEL Convenor - PETER SMITH, Architect. Peter was previously involved as design architect with AJ+C Architects on the DCP for Kogarah Town Centre and then the design of the Centre which won the Francis Greenway 2003 Award for Sustainable Development. He was subsequently employed by Kogarah Municipal Council to oversee the construction phase and sustainability requirements of Kogarah Town Centre, and continues to work as Manager, Projects and Public Domain for the Kogarah Municipal Council. PANEL MEMBERS Dr Peter Coombes: Associated with University of Newcastle in the Dept of Civil, Surveying and Environment Engineering, Dr Coombes has contributed many papers on the strategic use of stormwater and stormwater management including a case study of Figtree Place - a water sensitive urban development - assessing rainwater quality from roofs, tanks and hot water systems. He is currently working with Newcastle City Council. Sue Hobley: Director at Bio-Design & Associates Pty Ltd, Sue is a recognized leader in ecologically sustainable landscape planning. A practising arborist and landscape designer, she is an expert at the selection of indigenous plants for use in designed landscapes. Sue has a special interest in community and environmental projects. Meenakshi Jha: As Researcher at Institute for Sustainable Futures, UTS with direct experience in water harvesting, reuse and modelling, Meenakshi has technical knowledge relating to Australian case studies. Meenakshi has been involved with review of the sustainable water management system for Sydney Water Corporation's new headquarters building, responsible for water demand modelling using end use analysis in development of sustainable water management system for Kogarah Town Square - a model of sustainable urban re-development, and is currently managing a project, which is aimed at evaluating the impact of an integrated rain tank in Rouse region on the water supply headworks behaviour. The project involves end use analysis as well as cost benefit analysis. DATE: Monday 27 October 2003 VENUE: Roseville Returned Servicemen’s Memorial Club, 64 Pacific Highway, Roseville (Diagonally opposite Roseville Railway Station, but parking is available behind Club premises) TIME: 6.30pm Registration for prompt 7.00pm start COST: $25 per person + $15 per student for buffet dinner. Cheques made payable to SPUN or cash at the door. RSVP by email or fax for catering by close of business 24 October 2003 CONTACT: Ingrid Pearson E-mail: ing@archinet.com.au Fax: (02) 9477 5757 Mail: PO Box 275, Wahroonga 2076 Tel: 0418 228 766 Water Issues and Residential Design 23rd October 2003 Organised by Archicentre With the dam levels across NSW dropping to alarming levels, changes in Local Council legislation and increased public awareness, this is a seminar no architect should miss. Speakers will include Sydney Water, a rain water tank specialist and a highly regarded Sustainable Development Consultant who will cover a range of issues such as a current overview of the water supply, ways to minimize water usage, the types of tanks available and how to match them correctly with the right type and size of house and detailed discussion about grey water systems and their application to residential dwellings. Venue: Bayview Room, Balmain Tigers, 138-152 Victoria Rd, Rozelle Date: Thursday 23rd October 2003 Time: 2.00-5.00pm Cost: Free for Archicentre Members, $15 for non-members RSVP: Kate Froggatt (by Monday 20th October) Ph: 9555 5111, Fax: 9555 5011, E-Mail: katef@archicentre.com.au Information Online Group - After 5 networking meeting - 29th October 2003 "Need access to Australian Company and Industry information? If you sometimes do, always do or are just interested to add to your knowledge of sources then come along to the next After 5 meeting and hear what is offered by MERGENT. It is also a good opportunity relax with a drink and nibbles and catch up with new and old colleagues." When: Wednesday 29th October, 2003 Where: State Library of New South Wales Time: 5.30 for 6.00 start and finish at 7.00 Cost: $5.00 To assist with catering for the nibbles and drinks please RSVP to Jan Titcombe (details below) C/- Securities Institute of Australia Acting Masters Information Resources Manager Phone: 61 2 8248 7637, Fax: 61 2 8248 7694, Email: j.titcombe@securities.edu.au TV tonight Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is on tonight on SBS! as is 6th Day with Arnie. Both on at 8.30pm. Decisions. Decisions. I don't know if 6th Day is any good or not. I didn't see it when it was on at the cinemas. And there's also Australian Idol at 7.30pm. But that doesn't clash with anything. Plaything I went to the Plaything symposium yesterday. Plaything's a "symposium and exhibition of current and future trends in the field of digital games, featuring key Australian and international game designers, theorists and artists". It was held at Sydney uni. It was pretty interesting - discussions about avatars and how one person can assume a number of different online identities through the adoption of a number of different avatars. A person can also explore different personality traits, and assume a different gender, age, and race through their avatars. There was a wide range of both international and local speakers represented. The delegates seemed to be made up of a high proportion of academics who are interested in the art, culture, and theory side of digital games. It's on today as well if anyone still wants to catch the rest of it. Plaything exhibition - 8-19 October 2003 Firstdraft Gallery 116-118 Chalmers Street, Surry Hills, NSW. Details of times and other info can be found at the Plaything site. There's also an exhibition of some of the speakers. The exhibiting artists are: Natalie Bookchin (USA), Mary Flanagan (USA), Troy Innocent (Aus), Zina Kaye (Aus), Feng Mengbo (China), Julian Oliver (Aus), United Game Artists (Tetsuya Mizuguchi) (Japan), Warlpiri Media (Aus), and gameLab (Eric Zimmerman) (USA). Chaos Generation hard copy zine Took a CD of the zine to the printers on last Tuesday for a meeting, made some changes and gave them a new CD on Wednesday and was told the zine would be ready the following Wednesday! Pretty exciting! Checked the film proof on Friday and there were some problems with the conversion over from Microsoft Publisher to Quark where apostrophes were turned into the letter 'i'. So will give them changes tomorrow morning and still hope to get it before the end of the week! It's been an interesting experience in that print has requires a lead time and so you can't just publish something 'immediately'! and also you have to check things thoroughly as once it's printed, you have say 3000 copies of the item and you can't just quickly edit a file and re-upload it. I'm hoping to get the printed zines by Wednesday or Thursday latest and then start distributing them to the cafes, record shops, clothing shops etc myself in the latter part of othe week. May start handing them out to people as well. See how I go. So look out for it! 031006: Mon Redcarpet Night - 1st Anniversary Show - October 19 Come see the talents of our short film industry, from first time beginner to the established filmmaker in a showcase of drama and comedy. Featuring:- The Situation Room - IntelTropfest Best of the Rest Looters - London Film Festival The Convention - Brekfast Film Festival Poppa's Horse - Sour Grapes Film Festival Millenium Menu - Sour Grapes Film Festival Survival of the Fittest - Melbourne Comedy Festival The Red Shoes - Kodak Award 2002 Wishful Thinking - Kaleidoscope Film Festival What Goes Up Truefully Lying Stan Who Ate Sand WHERE: Valhalla Cinema, Glebe WHEN: 7:15pm Sunday 19th October BOOKINGS: (02) 9970-8101 COST: $13 a ticket (no concessions) PROFITS: All profits for the night go to Northern Beaches Interchange who provide respite care for disabled children. For further enquiries please do not hesitate to either email us at redcarpetnight@hotmail.com or phone on 0425 757 468 Long weekend It's now Monday already. It's a Labour Day holiday today. Had a family oriented weekend. Had an aunt come over from NZ. Caught up with her a couple of times and saw lots of cousins. Besides that, I've tidied up the place a bit. Did quite a bit of washing, cleaning etc. Now about to finish off the hardcopy version of the Chaos Generation zine to take to the printers tomorrow. Ideas door I've been thinking about creating a magnetic whiteboard wall. I wonder if there's material out there that's thin and light - maybe some type of laminate or some type of special coating that could be applied to a whole wall. I want to have this wall that I can put up interesting clippings, event notices, lists, interesting images for visual reference or anything else that inspires me for a current or future project idea at that time. I like the idea of using magnets so you don't have to push a thumbtack through the item etc. I went to Office Works in Glebe looking for magnetic whiteboards or other materials I could use. Saw a large magnetic board 1200 x 900mm for $79 but it's pretty heavy and would have to drill a hole through the gyprock wall probably. So now I've decided to just use blu-tack on the back of the door to start with and go from there. Also bought some contact paper to make little squares to stick onto the corners on the back of posters etc. It means that the blu-tack doesn't come through to the front so quickly. May end up with 4 walls covered with assorted items before long. Preservation of books Over the years, I've bought a number of first issue of new design magazines and some nice books etc. Going to research how to keep these books in excellent condition over time. It'd be terrible to build up a bit of a collection and then have them go mouldy. Been thinking of the type of book/display case to buy ie apart from the aesthetic component, is it better to have glass or other type of covered door, or to have open shelving etc? Then what about dust and will that make the paper fade or stain faster? Or should I just keep the books I particularly like in large plastic containers with lids? I found this link to fact sheets put out the by the State Library of Victoria under the heading of 'Preservation and Storage'. Weblog Index September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 June 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 February 2003 January 2003 December 2002 November 2002 October 2002 September 2002 August 2002 July 2002 June 2002 May 2002 March 2002 February 2002 January 2002 December 2001 November 2001 October 2001 September 2001 August 2001 July 2001 June 2001

About CG | Editor: Kirsten Lowe | PO Box 559, Broadway 2007, Sydney, Australia Ph: 0410 310 238 | Fax: +61 2 9555 1752 | Email: kirsten@chaosgeneration.com