I am lucky in my travels and in my life to have found myself with some truly amazing, inspiring, creative, and all around beautiful human beings as friends.
The following film recommendations were recently sent to me by someone very special to me who lives in England. The source shall remain a secret as i am not always the best at sharing....
I plan on watching each one of these films as I have dubbed this the year of the cinema for Craigers...now if only i could stop watching the ABC television series LOST.....
enjoy
A british film about a young boy desperate to lose his virginity
Beautiful Losers celebrates the creative spirit behind one of the most influential cultural movements of a generation.
In the words of my secret source...."he finest display of cinematography in the history of ever. Fact"
I will start watching once i figure out what the hell is going on with Charlie and Claire who are now missing on the island.....I hate you LOST!!!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
No Distance Left To Run
Back in the early 90s I remember seeing the videos on MuchMusic. I remember one particular interview on the nations music station with these four young kids from Britain who were completely messed up! Not just tired or drunk, but on some sort of drug unfamiliar to me. The band was Blur, lead by Damon Albarn and his boyhood bestfriend Graham Coxon. To me this was a band whose identity seemed to change with each video or single. In the beginning it was all about "boys and girls" and "Parklife", two songs that introduced me to Britpop. I know there were plenty of other artists at the time under the moniker of Britpop, but this was new to me. I wasn't complety sure if i liked it or not, but that interview where they were all fucked up had me completly intrigued. I have tried to find this interview on Youtube, but so far to no avail. Now I never purchased the albums at the time, and downloading was not in the picture as of yet, so in my mind Blur kind of went away. That was until a few years later when "Song 2" hit the airwaves and the tele. Wow! Now who was not singing and bopping along to Woo Hoo!! In all of its 2 minute glory the song was a powerhouse. What the hell happened to the somewhat androginistic quirky british pop songs. This was a rock and roll track in all its power!! Again though, i did not purchase the record. In 1999 I was living in Vancouver BC and my first roomate at the time purchased the record "13" from Blur and it was in constant rotation at our house. The track "Battle" was headphone candy that i was not experienced with but could not get enough of. Of course the single and chart topper "Tender" was a beautiful song to which the story was lost on me till now.
Fast forward a few years and the band breaks up and Damon Albarn leads the charge in a mysterious hip hop group the Gorrilaz. Graham Coxen releases a solo record, and once again Blur is off the map for me.
Approximately three months ago it was recommended to me that i should watch the Blur documentary movie "No Distance left To Run." This movie came about during a reunion tour of the band that I was familiar with involving festival dates in England and smaller intimate club shows. Upon watching this movie I came to realize why they were fucked up in that interview I had seen so many years ago. Why the stylistic changes came about from album to album. And just what an amazing friendship was really between Damon and Graham. I think whether you are a fan or not this movie if you are a music lover is something to be seen. Beautifully shot, candid, and without reservation, it is a must see in my eyes. I will also admit to having a wee bit of a man crush on Damon Albarn.
check it out....
http://youtu.be/VJsGq5Znxag
Fast forward a few years and the band breaks up and Damon Albarn leads the charge in a mysterious hip hop group the Gorrilaz. Graham Coxen releases a solo record, and once again Blur is off the map for me.
Approximately three months ago it was recommended to me that i should watch the Blur documentary movie "No Distance left To Run." This movie came about during a reunion tour of the band that I was familiar with involving festival dates in England and smaller intimate club shows. Upon watching this movie I came to realize why they were fucked up in that interview I had seen so many years ago. Why the stylistic changes came about from album to album. And just what an amazing friendship was really between Damon and Graham. I think whether you are a fan or not this movie if you are a music lover is something to be seen. Beautifully shot, candid, and without reservation, it is a must see in my eyes. I will also admit to having a wee bit of a man crush on Damon Albarn.
check it out....
http://youtu.be/VJsGq5Znxag
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I am neglectful
I apologize for being lazy, for being busy, for being on vacation, and for neglecting all of you...
This is all i have to offer for the time being...
I have been home for six days and am off to Argentina in the morning...
I promise i have lots to say...lots to post...lots to offer my opinion on, and lots for you to laugh at..
In the meantime...i have two photos...ha
enjoy
This is all i have to offer for the time being...
I have been home for six days and am off to Argentina in the morning...
I promise i have lots to say...lots to post...lots to offer my opinion on, and lots for you to laugh at..
In the meantime...i have two photos...ha
enjoy
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Hotels
When staying in hotels for the better part of the year , it is exceptional when you stay in a real good one. Such is the case for ol Craigers right now as i sit on the 18th floor of the Mandarin Oriental in Singapore. They have a great soundsystem complete with cables so i can rock out just like i was at home. IN fact, this room, like most, is actually bigger than my apartment back home!
For now, i am off to the pool!!!!!
Geronimo!!
For now, i am off to the pool!!!!!
Geronimo!!
Family
it is important and we only have one true family. Some of us are lucky and adopt a second family of sorts, such as I have with my road family, but for the most part we only have one family. More so than ever i find it so very important to be in touch with those you share bloodlines with no matter what the history may be or how much water is under the bridge. The truth is that having people who share your blood, who understand the problems, who do not judge, and who love unconditionally is something we all take for granted but should not! Never has family been more important to me than the last 18 months or so. After coming into contact with a first cousin of mine i decided to seek out some other first cousins that i have not spoken with or seen in almost 30 years! Travelling the world for a living affords me the opportunity to reconnect with people wherever they may have moved to in this vast world of ours! This all came true during the past month when i was able to get together with my cousin Michael in Adelaide Australia, and my cousin Shauna in Perth Western Australia. Both are first cousins for me on my moms side and all of us have been out of touch for the better part of 30 years after they moved overseas when I was around 8 years old!
I must admit as nervous as i was to meet up with them for the first time it was like the distance and the years between us never existed. Something truly amazing about family and knowing your born on the same page.
I know that i will never lose contact with Michael , Shauna, Terry or Ray and will continue to seek out as many family members as i can. This all became even more important when my mom was sick last summer and i vow to do my best to reconnect!
I must admit as nervous as i was to meet up with them for the first time it was like the distance and the years between us never existed. Something truly amazing about family and knowing your born on the same page.
I know that i will never lose contact with Michael , Shauna, Terry or Ray and will continue to seek out as many family members as i can. This all became even more important when my mom was sick last summer and i vow to do my best to reconnect!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Melbourne you sure have great hair!
Firstly I must apologize for the lack of updates as of late, although I am sure you are all used to me disapearing when i should be updating. Now I must fire my excuse at you all so you understand. It all begin while i was in Melbourne, and need I say more as it is honestly one of my favorite cities in the world that i have been to. Melbourne has a vibe unlike any other where people march to the beat of their own drums and do not care what people think or say about them. To judge someone in Melbourne is almost illegal and will banish you to the suburbs for an eternity of strappings and whippings. Both of which can be purchased by your own free will at some of the more avant garde establishments in town.
The first time I visited Melbourne was the very first weekend the city was trying out the new "2am lockout rule". Basically this meant that if you were in the bar before 2am you could stay until closing time, which could be 5am or maybe even 8am. This particular experiment did not go over so well and thankfully was removed and all is normal in the Victorian city. During the weekend you can party in the various clubs, pubs, nightclubs, discos, etc till the wee hours of the morning, or in some cases the hours after the sun has now lifted from its slumber. A side-note to my first Melbourne experience is that my group and i were not subjected to the silly lockout rule as we were under the guidance and direction of a Miss Cal Reynolds. Queen of the Melbourne scene and an extremely wonderful girl to have as a first night tour guide.
Fast forward to a few years later and I recently found myself back in Melbourne. Not only was I back in Melbourne, but we had two days off, followed by two shows at the same venue. If this was not quite enough, we then had a midweek day off, followed by two more shows at the same venue..the Rod Laver Arena. Not only was this a great week to be in the city, but it was a helluva expensive week and thus began my lack of website updates! I hope you all understand. Now for the benefit of you , the reader, and for myself and my memory, I am going to link to a few of the more cooler and colorful places i like to visit while in one of my favorite cities.
First off St Kilda is a great neighborhood that borders the city. Accesible by tram and surrounded by water, it is the home of one of the coolest live music clubs i have had the fortune to visit. I am talking about The Espy of course! This building was almost torn down until a petition stopped the impending demolition and instead they renovated The Espy and all is good in the land of St. Kilda.
http://www.melbourne.com.au/stkilda.htm
http://www.espy.com.au/Espy_Content/INFO/default.aspx
Another extremely cool and multi leveled bar/pub/club/rooftop bar that my tour mates and I visit everytime we are in the city is the Carlton Club. Now Carlton is a local beer that is quite popular and i will add that i sure have drank my share while being over here. The Carlton Club, like a few of the other cooler spots in the city is all subject to whether or not the door staff want to let you in. They may say sorry folks its guestlist and members only tonight, or use their discretion to keep the clientelle on the cutting edgy side as opposed to a more mainstream tourist/aussie crowd. I of course have no trouble getting in most places i go , and in fact seem to make good friends! A personal thank you to Cammy at the door, Peter behind the bar of the main room, and of course my favorite espresso vodka drinker Georgia up on the rooftop. I may just miss you all a bit....
http://www.thecarlton.com.au/
One of my favorite places to go in Melbourne is a club unlike any you have been to before. In fact the first time i went there with our amazing tour guide Cal , my mates and I were greeted at the front entrance by a 6ft tall transvestite. Quite the sight i must say, but such a beautiful open vibe and full of uber cool people having a good time. LIke all the other city places to be The Toff in the Town has multi rooms you can get lost in, lots of stairs to climb, a dance floor to get your groove on , and several booth style seats that you can fit about six people in , and the promptly shut the door. Service to the table will only come if the door is shut when you push a button located on the inside wall. Now what sort of things could one get up to while in a closed booth in a night club....card playing of course!
If you are ever in Melbourne, make sure you are dressed fairly well and head over to The Toff in the Town on Swanston Street. You will not be dissapointed and may never want to leave!
http://www.worldsbestbars.com/public/venue_listing.jsp?categoryId=33¤tVenueId=16569043
http://www.thetoffintown.com/
Getting away from the club style places a really great Australian designer is based out of Melbourne and the Tshirts, although pricey , are amazing! Check it out and order online....
http://www.tomorrowneverknows.com.au/
I could probably go on for hours about Melbourne and just how truly unique and void of blah mainstream characters it is, but i should run and let you discover it for your own. Just remember that nobody judges and if you want to wear a towel and a fur hat when you go out, then by all means go right ahead. Melbourne you truly do march to the beat of your own drum and should be proud of it! I love your hair, your style, your music, your openness, and your disinterest in conforming. IF only more could be like you , but then I am sure you would still strive to be different. Thank you
Craigers
The first time I visited Melbourne was the very first weekend the city was trying out the new "2am lockout rule". Basically this meant that if you were in the bar before 2am you could stay until closing time, which could be 5am or maybe even 8am. This particular experiment did not go over so well and thankfully was removed and all is normal in the Victorian city. During the weekend you can party in the various clubs, pubs, nightclubs, discos, etc till the wee hours of the morning, or in some cases the hours after the sun has now lifted from its slumber. A side-note to my first Melbourne experience is that my group and i were not subjected to the silly lockout rule as we were under the guidance and direction of a Miss Cal Reynolds. Queen of the Melbourne scene and an extremely wonderful girl to have as a first night tour guide.
Fast forward to a few years later and I recently found myself back in Melbourne. Not only was I back in Melbourne, but we had two days off, followed by two shows at the same venue. If this was not quite enough, we then had a midweek day off, followed by two more shows at the same venue..the Rod Laver Arena. Not only was this a great week to be in the city, but it was a helluva expensive week and thus began my lack of website updates! I hope you all understand. Now for the benefit of you , the reader, and for myself and my memory, I am going to link to a few of the more cooler and colorful places i like to visit while in one of my favorite cities.
First off St Kilda is a great neighborhood that borders the city. Accesible by tram and surrounded by water, it is the home of one of the coolest live music clubs i have had the fortune to visit. I am talking about The Espy of course! This building was almost torn down until a petition stopped the impending demolition and instead they renovated The Espy and all is good in the land of St. Kilda.
http://www.melbourne.com.au/stkilda.htm
http://www.espy.com.au/Espy_Content/INFO/default.aspx
Another extremely cool and multi leveled bar/pub/club/rooftop bar that my tour mates and I visit everytime we are in the city is the Carlton Club. Now Carlton is a local beer that is quite popular and i will add that i sure have drank my share while being over here. The Carlton Club, like a few of the other cooler spots in the city is all subject to whether or not the door staff want to let you in. They may say sorry folks its guestlist and members only tonight, or use their discretion to keep the clientelle on the cutting edgy side as opposed to a more mainstream tourist/aussie crowd. I of course have no trouble getting in most places i go , and in fact seem to make good friends! A personal thank you to Cammy at the door, Peter behind the bar of the main room, and of course my favorite espresso vodka drinker Georgia up on the rooftop. I may just miss you all a bit....
http://www.thecarlton.com.au/
One of my favorite places to go in Melbourne is a club unlike any you have been to before. In fact the first time i went there with our amazing tour guide Cal , my mates and I were greeted at the front entrance by a 6ft tall transvestite. Quite the sight i must say, but such a beautiful open vibe and full of uber cool people having a good time. LIke all the other city places to be The Toff in the Town has multi rooms you can get lost in, lots of stairs to climb, a dance floor to get your groove on , and several booth style seats that you can fit about six people in , and the promptly shut the door. Service to the table will only come if the door is shut when you push a button located on the inside wall. Now what sort of things could one get up to while in a closed booth in a night club....card playing of course!
If you are ever in Melbourne, make sure you are dressed fairly well and head over to The Toff in the Town on Swanston Street. You will not be dissapointed and may never want to leave!
http://www.worldsbestbars.com/public/venue_listing.jsp?categoryId=33¤tVenueId=16569043
http://www.thetoffintown.com/
Getting away from the club style places a really great Australian designer is based out of Melbourne and the Tshirts, although pricey , are amazing! Check it out and order online....
http://www.tomorrowneverknows.com.au/
I could probably go on for hours about Melbourne and just how truly unique and void of blah mainstream characters it is, but i should run and let you discover it for your own. Just remember that nobody judges and if you want to wear a towel and a fur hat when you go out, then by all means go right ahead. Melbourne you truly do march to the beat of your own drum and should be proud of it! I love your hair, your style, your music, your openness, and your disinterest in conforming. IF only more could be like you , but then I am sure you would still strive to be different. Thank you
Craigers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
