Down In The Mouth

I decided about a month or so ago that I was going to get my teeth repaired. I'm sick of worrying about how much things 'cost' so I thought, "fuck it, I'm just gonna live on air and water in order to have the perfect smile".

I made the appointment and headed on over to the dentist for the first time in nearly 3 years. I was gung ho about getting it all done then but my lady factory threw all that out the window. After all that palavar, I couldn't handle the thought of any form of surgery for awhile and it's taken me this long to get my head around it again.
I had to complete a form in which they needed to know my medical history. In the time that had elapsed between dental visits, I'd been diagnosed with a thyroid condition and had a mental relapse along with dodgy lady bits that needed to be removed. My lovely new dentist, Dr Jun Hu,read my file and then informed me that I was eligible to have all this work covered by Medicare! Yay for my dodgy thyroid and my spazzy disposition!
All I needed was a letter from my GP stating this was true plus the name of my specialist (of which I have one for each) and I was in free dental heaven.

That visit was paid for by me but mainly covered by my health insurance. My last 2 visits were covered by Medicare. The first visit entailed a full check up, 4 X Rays and a full scale and clean.
The second visit, she drilled and filled my top front teeth and gave one of them a temporary filling. The third visit she drilled the teeth on my right side and gave me six fillings; 4 are for new cavities, 2 were old fillings that she drilled out and replaced with white ones. Prior to that, they were the old silver amalgam types. No more silver flash the rare times I do smile. She gave me LOTS of anaesthetic for that job. My mouth on that side was numb for hours and so was my tongue. I was due to go out that night and hoped that putting makeup on and getting gussied up would cover it. This was the result;

I swear I'm not putting this face on. It is purely anaesthetic face!

This almost looks like the cover of the Rocky Horror record.."Margarita Milonguita- a new set of jaws!"

The Crunch

too much too little



too fat

too thin

or nobody.



laughter or

tears



haters

lovers



strangers with faces like

the backs of

thumb tacks



armies running through

streets of blood

waving winebottles

bayoneting and fucking

virgins.



an old guy in a cheap room

with a photograph of M. Monroe.



there is a loneliness in this world so great

that you can see it in the slow movement of

the hands of a clock



people so tired

mutilated

either by love or no love.



people just are not good to each other

one on one.



the rich are not good to the rich

the poor are not good to the poor.



we are afraid.



our educational system tells us

that we can all be

big-ass winners



it hasn't told us

about the gutters

or the suicides.



or the terror of one person

aching in one place

alone



untouched

unspoken to



watering a plant.



people are not good to each other.

people are not good to each other.

people are not good to each other.



I suppose they never will be.

I don't ask them to be.



but sometimes I think about

it.



the beads will swing

the clouds will cloud

and the killer will behead the child

like taking a bite out of an ice cream cone.



too much

too little



too fat

too thin

or nobody



more haters than lovers.



people are not good to each other.

perhaps if they were

our deaths would not be so sad.



meanwhile I look at young girls

stems

flowers of chance.



there must be a way.



surely there must be a way that we have not yet

though of.



who put this brain inside of me?



it cries

it demands

it says that there is a chance.



it will not say

"no."

Por Memorias y Jucticia

When I was in Buenos Aires last year, I became a bit obsessed with 'Los Desaparecidos' (the disappeared). These are people who,during the dictatorship in Argentina,were taken away. Most were children and in some cases,their parents were killed. Every Thursday, a large group of women known as Asociación Madres de Plaza de Mayo, fight for justice and to find the children that were taken away from them.

The marker in the footpath below, are located all around San Telmo. Each one represent one of 'The disappeared' and is put there 'for memory and justice'. Thank God the man responsible for this horror has been found guilty and will spend the rest of his short,hideous life behind bars.

Former Argentine dictator jailed for life


Former Argentine dictator General Jorge Videla has been sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity.
A court in the central city of Cordoba found Videla criminally responsible for the torture and killing of at least 31 political prisoners during his rule.

The Supreme Court judgment was met with cheers by activists and relatives of victims, many of whom brandished photographs of their murdered loved ones.


This is the second time he has been sentenced for human rights abuses, having been pardoned from his first sentence 20 years ago.

That amnesty was overturned in 2007 and there are dozens of cases pending against the 85-year-old and other military leaders.

Muchas Gracias a Todos

Another birthday has come and gone. This year I decided to low tone it celebration wise and I throughly enjoyed it.

I spent the weekend quietly- retiring to my bed/lounge early to watch the footy and eat my dinner in bed.
Sunday I woke up,had 3 coffees and an almond croissant and readied myself for my drinks arvo at Yorkshire Stingo's in Abbotsford. A small group of lovely friends joined me for drinks and a bit of food.

When we were done there, we picked up Stacey and went to St Kilda Bowls Club to see one of our favorite Melbourne bands, Firebird and they did not disappoint. After that, we drove to Bimbo's for pizza and then dropped in to Night Cat for one set of Rumberos, a latin band. They were good but we were tired by then and all the ladies went to our respective homes for a well earned sleep!

I just want to thank all my lovely friends for your support and your birthday wishes. As I get older, I realise more and more that it's the people you surround yourself that matters. I liken friends to a game of cricket; do you want the sort that will go out to bat for you or the ones that run you out?

Thanks again good people...x

Wristcutters- A Love Story

Mikal,Zia and Eugene from a scene in 'Wristcutters- A Love Story'.

After a long emotional and crappy week, Friday finally came and went. It was definatly the weekend to spend in Cinema Margarita.

About 3 years ago, someone posted a clip on My Space for a film called 'Wristcutters' which I thought was a documentary about self harming. I pressed play and realised very quickly that this was not the case.

Last Friday night, I was at my video store deciding what else to watch when for some reason, this title came to mind. I asked the attendant if they stocked it and they did. I am a huge fan of the black comedy genre-as long as it's done well and this film did not disappoint.

The film begins with Zia, a guy who has been dumped by the love of his life,Desiree. Unable to deal with the pain of losing her, he suicides by cutting his wrists and bleeding out in a full sink. He crosses over to an afterlife where 'everythings the same,just a little bit worse'. He works at Kamikaze Pizza and befriends Eugene, a Russian immigrant rocker who 'offs' himself on stage- very rock and roll. 

One night whilst Zia and Eugene are at the bar, he runs into an old friend who advises Zia that Desiree had killed herself a month after his suicide. Zia encourages Eugene to go on a road trip in search of her so they can be reunited. In a car that has no lights and a black hole, they hit the road. On the way,they encounter a hitch hiker, Mikal who is looking for 'the people in charge' as she has been sent there by accident. They stumble across Kneller (the amazingly fabulously wonderful Tom Waits) who has lost his dog. He takes them back to a camp where miracles occur. In the search for Kneller's dog, Mikal and Zia's relationship develops on a beach they find (they spend an intimate night on a condom and syringe littered sandbank).
Kneller finds his dog but ends up being someone entirely different to what you first think, Zia locates Desiree and Mikal finds the people in charge.

To say I loved this film would be a huge understatement. It was imaginative,creative and highly original. I have this film for a week and I am definatly going to watch it again before I return it. If you feel so inclined, get it and if you can't find it, try downloading it! Great performances and music too. I need to get me some Gogol Bordello music....

'Ooh ooh ooh-through the roof,underground'........

Memo To The World

Just because I say it and I write it, it isn't always so.
To paraphase a quote by JC (and I don't mean Jarvis Cocker);
'Ask me and I'll tell you. Knock and I'll open up to you'

From now on, I will be known as Ms Under Stood- because I totally am.

To those who may be offended by my words I am sorry BUT if you want to know what I mean-ask me.
If you could hear my voice now, it is gentle and concise, not shouty and angry.

To those who think I have some sort of agenda, I don't. Perhaps you feel that by blogging this,
the lady doth protest too much. I'm not protesting, I'm blogging. Which is something I haven't done in a long time.

To those who feel I have wronged them, come forward and tell me so I have a right of reply and the chance to apologise. As far as I was aware, the Salem witch trials ended a long time ago. Please advise if they have started again so I can re apply my lippy before I'm burnt at the stake.

Freedom is blogging. Freedom is the right to say you hate me and my blog, go to your settings and deleting me.

I don't hate anyone and I am an open book. Be it embarrassing,drunken,all singing,all dancing- this is me for better or worse.

That's it.

Peace,love and sticky date pudding...x

This Picture Says It All

Discovered walking down Blyth Street in East Brunswick. 'Nuff said...

Full Of Life, Sin Palabras

I've been thinking of things to write about but I've still got nothing. Life is good and things are getting sorted. It's a good feeling. I sense a change is coming.

My dear friend Melinda who's in Sydney is coming to live in Melbourne for at least a year. I can't wait. Caroline is currently in Buenos Aires and will be back in 3 weeks or so. It will be great when the Jazz Chicas reconvene with our new chica. The power of three may set you free but the power of four does so much more.

If you need a new recipe for lasagna, go to my food blog. Let me know how you went.
Out of words at the moment. Hope to recharge soon.

Down, but not out.

It's been a while since I've blogged.

I'm out with a cold at present and have no imagination due to a noggin full of mucus.

I promise to write more when it's cleared. Comment frequently and do visit. I miss you!

Your's Faithfully,
Snot Face xxx

For Those That Still Want It

photos by margarita milongita

Oh yay oh joy... after initially missing out on a ticket, I got to see one of my favourite bands, The Chills on Friday night. I'm still not sure of the East Brunswick club as a venue but heck, I would have seen them in a toilet block if that 's what was on offer!

The last time I saw them which- incidently, was the last time they toured- was in 1992 where they did 4 gigs at the now defunct Club in Collingwood. I saw them twice. I went to the first gig, where I had dragged my sorry arse out of my sick bed to see them. By Sunday, which was their last gig, I was feeling fitter so I went again so I could drink and dance! I remember when they played 'Wet Blanket', it was so packed I couldn't dance, so I ran to the toilets and had a boogie!!!

The Chills broke up in 1993 and the only thing they released was 'Heavenly Pop Hits-The Best Of The Chills'. Martin Phillipps dealt with his long term addiction to drugs and alcohol in that time. A great quote from him was that "I got over my additions and I didn't need God or Jesus to do it!"

I was concerned what the sound would be like after 18 years but my fears were soon placated. All the great tunes such as I Love My Leather Jacket, Pink Frost,Wet Blanket,Heavenly Pop Hit etc etc sounded wonderful.  Martin stepped to the mic and asked if anyone went to the '92 gigs-I was at the front and raised my hand. He was wondering about my age and then said 'oh we won't go there!' I responded that I was up there!

During a technical problem, Martin stepped to the keyboard and performed 'Submarine Bells' and he admitted that was the first time he performed it properly... sounded beautiful to me.

One encore and an apology from Martin explaining they had to leave plus the promise they will return and I was standing on Lygon St. I think I floated out of there. What a gift.

I hope they come back soon.

Carl Williams' Coffin

So, the fat man,Big Carl Williams-got what was coming to him. Live by the sword,die by the sword.
But what's with the big gold coffin? Very woggy and not to mention-extremely tacky.

Kind of reminds me of this;

The man had no charms so these might help him in the next life.

Uptown Jazz Wednesdays

My friends,Stacey & Caroline or as we like to call ourselve-Las Chicas del Musica Jazz- have taken to frequenting the Uptown Jazz bar on Brunswick St, Fitzroy to see a bebop band called Bop Stretch.
It also means we indulge in too much alcohol and have way too good a time. Oh, life is so difficult at times...

Uptown Jazz.. have yourself a boppin' good night

The Sweaty Toothed Mad Man Speaks

O Me! O life! of the questions of these recurring,
Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,
Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)
Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,
Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,
Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,


The question, O me! so sad, recurring-What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.


That you are here-that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

Nice one Walt Whitman

Cold Weather At Last

It was so lovely and cold last night. I woke up and it was still cold. Thank you God!

Anyone who knows me knows I hate hot weather and especially humidity with a passion. I can almost hear the coats in my wardrobe singing- knowing that soon they will be worn and shown off for the little beauties that they are.

The only thing is that I have to put up with whiny maggots whinging how much they hate Winter and they miss the beach.

Fuck off and shut up.

Viva el Invierno!!!

Sweaty

I'm so fucking sick of this tropicalesque weather. Along with being menopausal, it's a nightmare.
I feel like a walking sauna.

To top things off, I bought an ice cream at lunch time which fell on my top. I'm going to look like a derro at Uptown jazz tonight.

Poo bum and damnit- I'll have to have a martini now to calm my dented ego.

Niagara Exhibition Opening At Outre Gallery

Niagara with MM and lovely gal named Rakkel. She let me bum a couple of smokes.

Bless you love.

The Artist with some adoring punters

MM with Niagara. She loved me..

Niagara with Rakkel next to the print I bought.

The purchased print. I should get it this week. Oh joy oh yayness!

Cinema Margarita-Inglorious Basterds

Cinema Margarita- films watched by moi on a lap top in bed.

I know I'm about half a year late writing about this one but I watched this film last night for the second time and loved it. I bet a lot of Jews loved this film and the feeling -even if only cinematically-of revenge.

The characters were well crafted and acted, the look very stylish,the violence graphic and frightening. The soundtrack-as usual- was first rate. Of course the clothing-being the 1940's- is sublime. So love that era.

Love him or hate him- Quentin Tarantino is a film maker you can't ignore. He wears his influences on his sleeve and I love him for it. If you saw the documentary 'Not Quite Hollywood', you'll know one thing-that man knows his shit.

The Fat Of The Land

Was having my morning latte getting some news from the appalling 'Sunrise' program when they reported the following story;


An obese mother in the US is trying to put on weight in order to become the world's fattest woman.


Donna Simpson, from New Jersey, weighs 273kg but told the Daily Mail newspaper she had her heart set on reaching her goal weight of 1000lb (450kg) in two years.

The 42-year-old already holds the title of the world's fattest mother after giving birth to her daughter in 2007 when she weighed 241kg.

"I'd love to be 1000lb ... it might be hard though, running after my daughter keeps my weight down," Ms Simpson told the Daily Mail.

Ms Simpson, who needs a mobility scooter to go shopping, eats huge amounts of junk food each week and tries to move as little as possible so she doesn't burn off as many calories.

"I do love cakes and sweet things, doughnuts are my favourite," she said.

Ms Simpson said she also loved eating sushi and would often eat 70 big pieces in one go.

Her 49-year-old partner Philippe — who she met on a dating site for plus-size people — was encouraging her to reach her goal, she said.

"I think he'd like it if I was bigger ... he's a real belly man and completely supports me," she said.

To put on enough weight, Ms Simpson will need to eat 12,000 calories a day, which is six times the recommended daily intake for women.

In order to pay for the enormous amounts of food she is eating — her weekly grocery bill is $815 — Ms Simpson makes money by running a website where men pay to watch her consume fast food.

 The first thing I thought of is 'some people will do anything to get on television' and then I remembered a documentary that was on SBS a few years ago about people who have a fetish for obesity. When they showed her partner being interviewed and stating how he fully supports this, I thought 'BINGO'- he's a 'feeder' and gets a total boner watching her wobble around the house. He'll be spraying his shorts when she gets to 1000 pounds and can't move. She's already getting around on motorised bike thing that is usually reserved for disabled people.

This situation is wrong on so many levels. Despite her lack of self esteem, waste of money spending over $800 a week on food (!) and the detriment to health, she is a complete drain on society and the medical system. She'd better have some first class health insurance that covers her. If that partner of her's truly loved her, he wouldn't allow her to kill herself because he finds obesity a total sexual turn on.

Love is strange.

New Blog

I've been writing a cookbook in my head for about 5 years. That's exactly where it's stayed. After watching 'Like Water For Chocolate' for the umpteenth time, I figured it was time to start writing my 'head notes' out.

So I've begun a new blog- you can read it here.

I hope you'll follow and perhaps learn something.

I Miss.....

Tango. I miss it a lot. I've had a break from it because it was making me sick. I hate how some people take it so freakin' seriously to the point of becoming elitist.

I need to discover a way where it's special for me. Where it's a quiet fire within me. Without listening to the negativity and the grief of other. Without absorbing the politics. After being on that side of things for so long, I feel I can finally turn my back on the crap and walk in the light and beauty of tango.

Seeing how tango truly is whilst in Buenos Aires was a revelation. It was wonderful to understand and feel it's simple truth. Tango is a man and the rest of us are women- getting frustrated about why he doesn't do what we want. Always wondering what he's thinking and why he's oh so complicated. The reality is-men and tango are not so complicated and mystical. If we take a deep breath and ask them, they will tell us to relax and not take it so seriously.

We get caught in the cogs of ganchos,voleos,volcadas,colgadas,paradas etc and do our heads in counting and obsessing about steps. We need to close our eyes and remember this;

Listen to the music,embrace,lead and follow. Connection.  This is the eye contact and the perfect dialogue of the tango.

Everything else is just a shouting match.