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food, drink, monkeys, and beats from the dairy air of mondovi, wisconsin, the streets of minneapolis, and the sands of bondi beach, australia
SPEAK...
AIM is pntyrdr1 Email Seppo: kris dot sipe at gmail dot com
EAT ME!!!
Beef Bourguignon
Bitchin' Baked Paella Risotto Magic Stuffed Salmon Chicken Wild Rice Soup Chili Prawn Penne 3 2 1 Spatchcock! Tomato Basil Fettuccine Chili Con Seppo Blueberry Boat Roast Marinated Buffalo Mozzerella Grilled Swordfish with Mango Salsa Miss. Highco's Creme Brulee
ON THE IPOD...
 Sufjan Stevens - Come on Feel the Illinois
  The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday
 Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die
FOR THE BOOKCLUB...
PREVIOUSLY ON...
95 Kg Tuna
Gay Post of the Week Bonsai Croc and Roll French, Yes, Gay, Not so Much I Could Spit on a Stranger Outfoxed! Heat Wave!!! Bitched at Swirth Sydney Supernova
WHEN?
WHERE?
blogger all music guide college music journal internet movie database slayage urband legends archive tripple j all zone 4 dvd grimsey records britneyfreak Blogger Boobiethon Starlight Foundation Sydney Morning Herald Apple Torrentspy MacRumors
Favs, Fads and Friends
Gideon's Bible Whatevs Stereogum Rollertrain Lou's Page of... Memoirs from the Edge RADhole Thighs Wide Shut Cityrag Goldenfiddle 1115 That Ashley Girl President Peabs PhotoSydney Ms. Fits Drew's Blog-O-Rama Sarah's So Boring SynapticBlur BakedZiti Daily Refill Jeffrey Mimi Emancipated NY Hotlist sdrawkcab sti Pink = New Blog Brave World NYC You Aint No Picasso Berkeley Palace Fluxblog My Dad at Vinifera Minnesota
CREDITS:
 
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Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Snow Bound It's always nice to come back from vacation and be compared to a mid-eighties teen star, based on hair perceptions. Add accusations of misogyny and man boobs, and it's all just puppy dogs and ice cream around here!!! Many are surprised that along with Kangaroos hopping down the street, we also have mountains in Australia. 
Good morning, sunshine! 
Yawn... Stretch... 
Start things off with a good hearty breky... 
These old bones are still agile, but only for 2 hours at a time, between rums. 
Do not take beginners down non green hills. Asphyxiation may occur!!! 
Finding a pub with Karoake and marshmallow limbo is fantastic enough, but winning the Karaoke contest, and $100 bar tab can't be beat. 
Especially when the bar manager lets Sal, hop over the bar... 
And take over! 
And what could be a better way to end the weekend, then making a new friend...
... Seppo 11:26 am...
Thursday, August 26, 2004
The flatmate left for London yesterday, and sent the following from the Airport: I kid u not, im waiting to get on the plane and there is a 'kids' movie corner with bright colours and cartoons pained on the wall, and on the tv, guess what they are playing? A documentary about Osama Bin Laden. ___
The Sydney morning Herald has called the OC 90210 on the beach in Monday's issue of The Guide. First of all, Seth Cohen could so kick David Silver's ass, and secondly, The Walkmen, Modest Mouse and the Killers will be appearing next season! (Line-up link via the Thigh Master, who is now coveting Mischa as well as Lindsay). ___ In honor of Charges foray into counseling troubled teens, here I am teaching the kids at the Sydney Children's Hospital the art of sock shot put, last week (remember the camera adds 10 lbs) ...and with that, I am off to Mount Hotham for 4 days of snowboarding with my gals, Sal and Sin...
... Seppo 11:46 am...
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Chili Con Seppo For the last 12 years I have been telling people that Alternative Country will be the next punk rock. While it remains my favorite genre of music, the revolution has NOT been televised. So... in the wake of new releases by legendary cowpunks The Old 97's and new(ish) kids on the block, Richmond Fontaine, whose album Post to Wire is laced with Cashesque tragedy and Rolling Stonesesque riffs, I thought I would cook up some southwestern style eats. If you don't have these two albums, go get them now, and in the mean time, put on some Calexico, and lets get cookin'.  Ingredients:
650 Grams Mince (Hamburger, Aussie Stizz) 3 Slices Bacon 1 Finely Chopped Chilli 2 Cans Whole Peeled Tomatoes 2 Tins Red Kidney Beans, drained 2 Clove's Garlic 2 Medium Onions 1 Tsp Tumeric 1 Tsp Ground chilies 1 Tbsp Garlic Chili Sauce 1 Cup Red Wine 1 cinnamon Stick 1 Cup Water Salt and Pepper to taste  Slice up your bacon, chop your onion, finely chop your garlic, and finely chop up the chili, seeds and all (for added fire). Get a pot on the hob, medium high, and throw in your bacon. Once the bacon has cooked a couple of minutes, gone a bit crispy and the fat is released, add your chilies, onions and garlic. Stir for about 4 minutes, then add your mince. Stir until the mince is nearly cooked, then add about 3 tsps salt, cracked pepper, tumeric, ground chilies and garlic chili sauce. Give it a stir, and add the red wine. Let the wine reduce, about 4 minutes, and add your tomatoes. Use a spoon to break them up a bit, and give the whole thing a good stir. Add the beans and water, and give it another stir. Let the whole thing come to a boil, add the cinnamon stick, turn the stove down to simmer, and put a lid on it.
You'll need to chill for an hour or so, while all those flavors come together. Since I have Neko Case over, I'm just going to let her play me a couple of tunes, and maybe have a cuddle. If you're not so lucky, put on some BR-549, or maybe my old partners in crime (who made me sing dressed up as Baby New Year), Accident Clearinghouse, and drink a couple of Pabst Blue Ribbons. Serve the chili up in bowls with some shredded colby cheese and sour cream. Yeeee haaaa!!!! 
... Seppo 11:35 pm...
Monday, August 23, 2004
When a friend comes a' callin' from the other side of the country, I always find myself gathering the troops together, this week was no exception. Consider the following revelations from the Evil Eskimo's visit from Perth:  1. My friend the little Chinese pixie has been making tons of banana bread lately, as she insists on buying eggs by the pallett from the Asian market. So... I didn't believe her when she made me scrambled eggs and prawns and said it was a traditional Chinese dish. I was wrong, and damn it was good.
2. Besides pretty girls, Karaoke is my favourite passtime. I don't, however, like video games. Combine the two, different story. Sing Star is so kick ass! I challenge all you beaatches to a Darkness battle! 3. Red wine spills from rambunctious Sing Star Avril battle DO NOT come out with table salt. 4. Puntina, awarded number one pizza joint in Sydney, doesn't even serve Chianti... and the pizza is crap... Boycot! 5. No Name Restaurant ( Beach Rd Hotel, Bondi) is NOT CRAP, especially now that they have the Schnitzel and Pasta mini combo for $11. However, text message at 12.30 = "We forgot to pay the bill!!!" Hopefully costs were offset by the beer.  6. "Girls Dressed in School Uniform" parties are great, but funky dressed, cute, yoga instructors are better. Call me soon. Meow...
7. It takes 9 hours to rid a PC of worms, viruses and porn pop ups inflicted by a NAUGHTY FLATMATE. 8. My Mac has never had a worm, virus or pop up (I plead the fifth on the porn). 9. Watching Gilmore Girls is the best way to recover from a long week, Brown Bunny references and all. 10. Salt feels gritty on bare feet.
... Seppo 9:53 am...
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Forgive me in advance, my limited, yet appreciative audience... Commitments and catastrophes will contribute to minimal content this week. Hopefully next week will be a little less complicated, and I can put together my recipe for Chili Con Seppo. The following diatribe serves to keep the cobwebs from getting too thick. qqq
I have noticed that the older I get, the less cynical I become. This seems to be the reverse with most people, including my particularity cranky uncle, and even a lot of the girls I play with. The more that bad things happen in the world, the more attention I pay to the wonderful things around me (just self centered?). Recently, I have actually felt a few warm fuzzies over emailed power point slide shows containing puppy dogs and kitties, and even bigger warm fuzzies from the ones containing scantily clad girls clubbing in Sweden. While watching Love Actually last year, I actually began to feel wee little tears collecting in my eyes (maybe it was because I was watching it at Christmas, in Yorkshire, with a 19 year old busty backpacker).  In the last week, I have been watching season four of Scrubs. I found the whole series very soothing and heart warming, especially Tara Reid's husky interludes. I nearly began to dance around the room when the Polyphonic Spree appeared, robes and all, to perform "Follow the Day". I suddenly realized that I have not only begun to enjoy sappy tv shows, but music that I would have found egregiously CHEESY just a few years ago. Am I alone, or is optimistic pop the new truckers hat? Consider the facts, and the culprit's:
Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips has been producing strange music for over a decade, and has even made it as far as the stage of the Peach Pit After Dark on Beverly Hills 90210. It takes a lot for Steve Sanders to say, "I don't usually like alternative music, but these guys rock!" The lips have moved from making multi part albums meant to utilize multiple cd players at one time, to singing about a little girl named Yoshimi who uses her Karate powers to battle evil robots. They have even gotten away with writing songs about beauty and truth (for shame) and still managed to have their last two albums named Uncut magazine's album of the year.  Remove Coyne's somewhat molesting, and as one music journo says, "willy wanka like" demeanor, add a choir (robes and all) and the a shitload of electronic and traditional musicians, and you've got the Polyphonic Spree. Tim DeLaughter started up the Spree after his Tripping Daisy bandmate died of a drug overdose. Songs for movies (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), critical acclamation, suspected terrorist activity, and television appearances have pushed the band into the spotlight. What do they sound like? Remember Free to Be, You and Me? Add chimes and stir.
Shamelessly (and deservedly) riding on the coattails of hero to the new emo generation, Conner Oberst, and creating a very unusual sound and persona, are Tilly and the Wall. It's hard to describe the sound of a band that uses a tap dancer as percussion, but once you listen, it sticks with you. Think Grandpa Would era Ben Lee innocence, (including Liz Phair harmonies, "Away With the Pixies" stizz), and add some pop accoutrements. All in all, stuff that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning.  Their are also bands out there that may not sound like ice cream and puppy dogs, like the aforementioned, but they still convey a positive message and a sense of secular humanism. While the Beta Band has recently disbanded, their back catalogue is a great representation of music with a message. John Cusaak sold us their single on High Fidelity a few years ago. Since then, it's only gotten better. Just try not to feel happy and cool while walking down the street with "Liquid Bird" on your ipod.
While 1996 - 2000 were the age of the Old 97's for me (new release out now!), the last couple of years, I have had Death Cab for Cutie playing as my personal soundtrack. Ben Gibbard's music, especially the Postal Service project, represent such an optimistic view of life, or at least an optimistic view of our relationships with each other. Think of the all the confused college kids, in drug induce euphoria, singing "I need you so much closer..." over and over again, while their emotional baggage is left in the real world. Yep, I'm a softie, and I only expect to get softer. I am, however, rotating Danzig's Circle of Snakes to keep it interesting. It's just a bit of Kubrikian self control to keep the ol' ultravoilence in check. Homework: The Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy The Beta Band - hero's to Zeros The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlantism Postal Service - Give Up Ben Lee - Grandpa Would Tilly and the Wall - Wild Like Children Bright Eyes - Lifted or The Story is in the Soil, Keep Your Head to the Ground Old 97's - Drag it Up Danzig - Circle of Snakes
... Seppo 5:30 pm...
Thursday, August 12, 2004
 Out, Out, Damn Spoilers
Six Feet Under spoilers have taken over my life... It all started when the word got out that Claire and her college buds having a singalong with Death Cab for Cutie. So... Instead of waiting a year for the season to come to Oz, I decided to start downloading. I finally saw the much hyped Transatlepisode last night, and I must say, color me impressed. Episodes seven and eight are downloading as we speak, and I hope to watch them this weekend. I could have easily stopped reading Cityrag's monologue on Claire's drink from the furry cup.... BUT NO... I can't stop reading spoilers! Just so everyone knows, The Village apparently takes place in a wildlife reserve... Ha! YYY CHILITO UPDATE... After an email, Zantigos is back on line, along with their fantastic new tagline "Defining the Passion"... ahhh what? Can someone send me frozen Chilitos... and some Arid XXX Gel deodorant?
... Seppo 2:00 pm...
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Tomato Basil Fettuccine As I mentioned last week, people (well, mostly mom), have been bitchin' that I haven't put any basic recipes up. Well, hold your Lohans, my friends, this one is a cake walk. Certain foods are so suited to each other, it's hard not to believe in a higher power. Tomato and Basil are blessed with this foody matrimony (if they go swingin', they do it with Buffalo mozzarella). All it takes to round them off in this case, is some nice Fettuccine. For my readers amusement, I attempted this recipe last night, while drunk on Absinthe, to prove that it is simple, and nearly impossible to screw up. I also called up Natalie Portman, fresh from Garden State, and she licked her plate clean. If Amidala loves it, so should YOU! Ingredients 3 Large Roma tomatoes 2 Cloves Garlic 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil 1/2 Bunch Basil 1/2 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese 1/4 Cup Butter 1/2 Cup White Wine (I used Champagne left over from the weekend) 1 Tsp Salt (to taste) Pepper to Taste Cooked Fettuccine  Start off by cooking up 2 serves of Fettuccine, as per the instructions on the box. Barilla makes fantastic Fettuccine, and it comes in funky, authentic pasta nests. Cool the pasta in a colander when it is al dente, and set aside.
For this one, we will finely slice the garlic, rather than chop it. If you wanna' play Goodfellas, use a razor blade, so the garlic will actually melt in the oil. Next chop up your romas into one inch chunks. With normal tomatoes, I remove the seeds, but I like to keep the yummy juice in the romas, and the seeds aren't bitter, so I just leave 'em.  Chop up your basil. Give a chiffonade a go... When translated literally from the French, "chiffonade" means "made of rags." In culinary terms it means finely cut strips or ribbons of leafy vegetables or herbs. Just roll 4 leaves up in a tight cylinder and slice finely. Looks cool, ay tough guy...
While normally, I use the state of my garlic to judge the heat of my oil, this one should have a more penetrating (ouch) garlic taste, so I try to turn down the heat a bit and sweat the garlic. Start out with your burner on medium heat, and get the oil going for a couple of minutes. Add the garlic, taking the pan off the heat and letting it hover if it gets too hot. Once it goes a bit caramel colored, immediately add the tomatoes, to cool down the pan and avoid burning garlic. Toss the tomatoes around for about 3 minutes, they will start to go a bit soft. Toss in salt and pepper. Add the wine and reduce for about 2 minutes. Add the butter and basil, and reduce a further 2 minutes. Add your pasta and toss with the sauce. Toss in the Parmesan cheese. Garnish with more parm and some basil... Serves you and your queen... Hopefully you aren't a fuckwit like Anakin. 
... Seppo 12:08 pm...
Monday, August 09, 2004
 Zantigo Amigo!!!
Depravity takes hold on Saturday night... Begin the night at my place with Bundy's new throwdown Rum's (keep em' little, to keep it cold, yo), and a little bit of Australia vs. New Zealand rugby, (snore...) and head off to Ju Ju's Japanese Karaoke Restaurant (Shop 320, Kingsgate Shopping Center, King's Cross, Sydney 93577100.) Rule 1 - Shoes must be placed in plastic carry bag, and taken to your seat. Rule 2 - Do not continue drinking your rum and coke, as you walk into the restaurant. Our Japanese hosts were not impressed (even though they kept yelling "pop idol" at me after I sang Mustang Sally). They insisted that we "drink sake slower". The food, was fantastic, and is a good example of the privileged life we experience here in Oz ($35 each for booze and food). Every ethnic food type, in it's most exquisite form, is available at our doorstep. The only thing I miss from home is Chilito's.  I am not, however, talking about the gut bombs that Uncle Grambo attempted to order the night before his birthday... I am talking about the original, perfect creation.. the joy of my childhood existence... the one and only... all but wiped out by coporate shit heads and Challupa purveyors, the Zantigo's Chilito. According to chilicheese.org... Taco Bell killed off Zantigos, but ALAS, there is hope for Minnesotans. The original, wax paper wrapped chilito is still available. The website, listed as Zantigo.net, does not seem to be available... But you can still pig out at the following locations. If you're there around Christmas, I'm the guy with eight chilitos, a root beer and a bag full of Gap boxers.
St. Paul, Minnesota 56 5th Ave 941 Wildwood Rd 8362 Tamarack Vlg Ste 122 Minneapolis (North East), Minnesota 255 57th St.
... Seppo 1:54 pm...
Friday, August 06, 2004
 Passez le rhum et le coke, chienne...
What a week... Something on every night, cooking for people, working at the hospital going to an awesome dinner at Hugos, Bondi Beach (mmm... soft shell crab), and multiple Bundaberg Rum and Cokes! Attention Bundaberg, importing your elixir to America could make you millions. If it works for FAKE Australian brands (g'day fuckwits), it's sure to work for the nectar of the gods. Every time I go home to America, I have to buy Myers Dark Rum, which does not taste even close, and does not come PREMIXED with fake coke in a six pack. I was Originally introduced to Bundy and Cokes by a Goulburn footballer named Guru, who also christened me Seppo (Septic Tank Yank). It was a cathartic night... I think he may have been the ghost of Australian football past, because no one has ever seen him again. Anywizzle... For those of you crackheads out there who have been looking for someone to light your glass pipes, the sickest bastard on line, Peabs, is back with a vengeance. For a less offensive but as well experienced frolic, That Girl is a very incitefull chick. I accidentally called her a slut in her comments, but I sent an apologetic email... hopefully I can pull my foot out. ...and if all this blogfucking makes you sick, Cewebrity agrees...  Richard Kelly's director's cut of Donny Darko is finally here in Oz, on the big screen. Has anyone seen this? I enjoyed the original so much, I fear it may be a Lucasesque reworking. Anyway, it's another chance to see Maggie Darko I'll be there with my bunny ears on...
DONNIE DARKO: THE DIRECTOR'S CUT Director: Richard Kelly Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, James Duval Rated M Opens Thursday at Hoyts Broadway
... Seppo 2:02 pm...
Thursday, August 05, 2004
IT'S one eighteen in oz... for imediate giggles please check out the radhole as soon as possible. Word up, peace out and all that shit... P.S. Blogger sucks and so I can't spell check this page on my mac... and yes i do have a journalism degree (for someone who uses those skills, click here)... I will someday have a bit of a fight with those little aisian dudes who ask the origin of the word!
... Seppo 1:23 am...
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
 Many months ago music information maestro and Britney enthusiast Scott Stereogum announced that "The Bloggers Heart the Killers," and since then virtually every other nerd I know has had Hot Fuss on rotation. They have finally broken through the hemisphere, and their debut album is this weeks featured album on Australia's JJJ radio. Now we just need them to hop over for a show!
Speaking of shows, we a bit peeved over here that The Pixies are not planning a visit. I remember the SMELL of opening the packaging of Doolittle, the first CD I ever bought. Please sign the petition to BRING THE PIXIES TO AUSTRALIA.  My chinese friend, a PIXIE incarnate, is showing me around Hong Kong in January, but despite her love of Sanrio, refuses to get these tattoos!!!
I had a dream last night that I got a new tattoo, and it was a Leopard of some sort, below the one I actually have of a Salamander. However, it kept coming off every time I went swimming. My next tattoo (see right) is going to be a big one, and will be inked when I strip off 7 kilos after the last six months of BULKING UP... Eff off, Jacqueline Maley... The Sydney Morning Herald continues to act as though it is at the pinnacle of journalistic integrity, when it reaps the rewards of the content it critiques. I hope, Ms. Maley, that you are not under the impression that you are a true journalist, while those who write for the periodicals you so detest, are below you. I have to cook something for Ms. Bear from Melbourne tonight and want to do something new... Any ideas???
... Seppo 11:29 am...
Monday, August 02, 2004
 I am Nerd Hear me Roar...
My inner nerd has come out in full force this weekend, so I apologize if I come out a bit Gizmodo. On Thursday, I received an Ipod Mini that I ordered for Ms. B., from the U.S. They won't be out here for a while, and even with the exchange rate, the U.S. $250 translates to a lower price then the Australian projected sales price. I knew I would be impressed, but heck, I think I fell in love with the little fella! I had to send it off to the Northern Territory (where Ms. B. is living in some mud hut, or something) this morning, and I almost had a little cry. I think it is the most clever piece of technology I have ever seen.
 Well, almost... On Friday, I received my Airport Express. This contraption (which is the size of a pack of cigarettes) plugs into an electrical outlet, printer, stereo and DSL or cable modem. Once it is plugged in, you are wirelessy connected to the internet, can stream your Mp3s via itunes and connect to a printer. So, now I can wander around the house and play my music while downloading episodes of the Gilmore Girls... The only thing left to do is network the living room PC. However, bastard flatmate has somehow infected the whole machine, and I can barely use...
My new DVD burner. Being that I switch between my desktop PC, work PC and G4 Powerbook. I wanted to have something that I could use to archive, and make backup copies of DVDs on all machines. So... I bought a cheapo IDE drive for about a hundred bucks, and a USB 2.0 enclosure, for about $30, and threw the thing together myself. Money, baby, now who needs their own copy of Swingers?
 Finally, when I hit the sack at night, and drift off to a book on tape (via Audible.com), my room fills with wonderful sound, via my JBL Creatures. Fantastic for the price, and really funky looking, these suckers are perfect for the bedroom.
So, ladies, it looks like I'll be cooking for myself for awhile, as I won't be leaving the house for some time. I may just give it all up, start reading Dragonlance novels, and wearing a beret.
... Seppo 10:44 am...
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