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

Tegan and Sara - So Jealous

The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday

Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die


FOR THE BOOKCLUB...

John Irving - Until I Find You


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

Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Round about late November every year, I start to get more and more homesick. With only a few weeks until it's time to go from 90 degrees and a ten minute walk to the beach to 10 below and a thirty minute drive to the Mall of America. This year, in an attempt to quell some of my homesickness, Cyn and I decided to throw a thanksgiving feast for my surrogate family here in Sydney.



We sent out the invite...



We hired enough tables, chairs, wine glasses and silverware to seat 34 people.



We cooked a 10 kilogram turkey for 7 hours...





I cooked up my famous mash with 3 pounds of butter and 2 tubs of sour cream...



Everything came out great, although we could have used a 15 kilo turkey... maybe some day with growth hormones...



...bring on ze turkey!!!



...and the triptifan started to cause the ladies to go crazies...



...and we were left with a who's who of Australian wine, all empty bottles of course, and a very messy house.



But the mystery of the night remains... who left behind the women's razors??????
... Seppo 1:59 pm...

Monday, November 22, 2004

Finger Kabob

I like to send out a thanks to the fantastic staff at Cruise Bar in lovely Sydney Harbour for the special attention they payed to this Seppo after an unfortunate bar injury. Somehow, upon coming back from the bar with a round of Stella Artois, I managed to have a shard of glass pass all the way through my left ring finger, making it a kabob, of sorts. Hopefully this was not a grand, ironic gesture from a mocking universe, informing me of my perpetual bachelorhood. The flatmate nearly passed out as I removed the thing, and blood began to spurt out in near cinematic projections. I think I may have been a bit over attended to, as I caught up with a bachelor party at Men's Gallery, and the dancers seemed to be a bit frightened of my bandaged paw.

After much care and washing, the injury looked fine, and I was able to head off to Newtown to catch Adam Spencer and Will Anderson's farewell show at the Enmore Theatre on Saturday. I first was turned on to Adam Spencer about five years ago in the states, when I was writing for 3M. He used to host the night time show on JJJ radio, which was broadcast live over the internet, and called me up to participate in the Tuesday quiz. We corresponded via email a bit and I promised to send him Post-It Notes, but never got the nerve to swipe from the supply cupboard. Adam and Will's morning show has become such a daily routine for me, it will be strange not to wake up with them. Good luck guys, you deserve it.
___

Open comment to the writers of "The Notebook": You are devious bastards. What a cliched bunch of crap... everyone KNEW who the old couple were. We KNEW who she would end up with in the end... We KNEW she would get her memory back on her death bed... yet... the whole theatre came out bawling their eyes out, including me.

Damn you cute little Rachel McAdams, and sad old Gena Rowlands!
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Speaking of teary eyes, it looks like the O.C. is back to it's old self again. Last Thursday's episode brought back the love triangles, insecurity and laughs of the first season, not to mention the addition of The Bait Shack, Newport's own Peach Pitt After Dark. I'm not a Walkmen fan, but I bet there were swarms of teenie boppers stripping Best Buys bare of Bows + Arrows. But, wait, if Seth had to get a job to get the two tickets for Summer, how did Ryan get in. ...and what the fuck is with Rachel Bilson's bangs???
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Yippeee, there's a new Australian Idol!!! Casey Donovan... well, we better publish her website in a half page newspaper ad!!! Oh, wait, we forgot to add the dot au to the end!!! Shit, www.caseydonovan.com is a gay porn site!!!
... Seppo 5:19 pm...

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Exile in Baton Rouge

The WIRED CD: Rip. Sample. Mash. Share. These musicians are saying that true creativity needs to be open, fluid, and alive. When it comes to copyright, they are pro-choice. Here are 16 songs that encourage people to play with their tunes, not just play them.

How cool is that! Via Stereogum
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Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr Helen Caldicott paints a very scary picture of the reinstatement of Bush, "I don't know if we'll survive the next four years ... I don't think the Americans have, on the whole, the faintest idea - and I have to say also I don't think most Australians do either." I am more fearful of the eminent disastrous events that will unfold after two bottles of wine at Christmas dinner, when I start laying into my sister's republican fiance.
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Would ANYONE else get the lead in The Da Vinci Code? Is Tom Hanks the most appallingly overrated actor of our time? Why do I feel the urge to smack him in the head? Is "The Terminal" the worst movie ever made? Director Ron Howard says it all, "Tom is an exciting actor to watch thinking,"
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The new Jimmy Eat World (Futures) is pretty damn good considering their rip-roaring success with Bleed America, and the usual sophomore slump. I've been listening to an advance copy for a while now.... leave it to Uncle Grambo to reveal that my favourite musician is doing backups. I didn't even recognize her voice!

"We're all fans of Exile, so maybe a bit of a crush thing was happening," Adkins said. "She definitely brings the sexiness. An unquantifiable sexiness, sure, but she definitely brings it. She was super cool to work with. 'Work' sounded like something she would sing, so we hunted her down through people we knew in Los Angeles. We showed her the song, she really liked it, so she came down and sang on it."
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QUICK, look, it may be your last chance to see Kylies bum!!! Thanks for the email Mr. Cuthbert.
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Last year in Paris, I was out with my mate Dez, at a French hip hop show, and this beautiful girl was dancing near me. Dez explained that Parisian girls liked to be danced with, and went and did the ol' "Mon ami vous aime" line in her ear. She came over and started dancing with me, and I nearly hyper ventilated. After about an hour, I finally got the nerve to ask, "Habitez-vous a Paris?"

In response, I got, "I'm from Baton Rouge Louisiana, where' you from?"

All I could say was, "Is it true that in Baton Rougebeavers have built a dam with $52,000 of stolen bills?

...and I never heard from her again...
... Seppo 1:47 pm...

Monday, November 15, 2004

I am going to a "Literary Feast" to have drinks with author Susan Johnson on Wednesday, and have yet to read her novel, "The Broken Book". I just picked it up today. I feel like I am back in high school! Where are my Cliff's Notes!!!
___

Another disappointing episode of the O.C. this week. We need the humor back Mr. Schwartz... I have replaced the "next episode anticipation" over to Lost. It's nice to see that Charlie finally broke away from the rest of the Salinger family to become a surgeon.

Newcomer Evangeline Lilly is impossible to look away from... and the kiss on the last episode, meow, I thought "Take My Breath Away" would start playing in the background.

The fact that I am a horrible flier, and the show is about a plane that crashes from Sydney on the way to LA is a little bit daunting, however.
___

As soon as Sarah speaks, I should just run to the record shop, instead of wasting any time. I finally picked up My Chemical Romance's Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. It's good to hear an emo/punk band that isn't afraid to embrace pop, and still keeps it real with old school guitar riffs. Forget Velvet Revolver, this album's got licks that would have slash quaking in his cowboy boots....
___

On that note, it's time for me to shed more unwanted back fat by running home from the city. If you see a knob with a blue singlet, sweating profusely, try to avoid running me over.
... Seppo 5:25 pm...

Friday, November 12, 2004

Hop, Skip and a Jump...

It's mornings like these that I realize why I live in this gorgeous city. The sun is shining, the beaches are full and the ferries are like little glistening toys in the harbour outside my window.... But if I was to ever go home, it's good to know that Minnesota is the healthiest city in America. Who would have thunk the gluttons who hold the Great Minnesota Get Together (otherwise known as the state fair) where people line up for deep fried cheese curds, pronto pups, mini donuts and funnel cakes, could be so fit! It must be all of the negative ions from the 10,000 lakes.
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Could it be that I have found my perfect woman? Check out Chez Pim sooner, not later, as Ms. Pim "criss-crosses the big pond, and ends up working, eating, cooking, and otherwise partying a great deal in London and Paris." Wisdom, food and a lefty as well. Tres interessant et mignon! Link via Chef Flem... (Happy B-Day, Chef)...
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Speaking of lefties, check out the correlation between avergage IQs in each state, and their choice for president. Now watch this drive...
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For all of you Francessca Willis google searchers... the waste of perfectly good trees that is the Sunday Telegraph recently published an article on The Tahitian Temptress entitled Teen Turns Internet Scandal Into Triumph. The article uses fantastic words such as "vicious" describing Fran's treatment after her pictures were posted on the internet. Apparently Frannie is set to appear in Inside Sport, and my favourite magazine, Auto Salon. Being that the Telegraph represents responsible journalism, just as Fox TV, they included a warning regarding teen modelling in the article:

"NSW Parents and Citizens' Association spokesman David Giblin expressed concern over young girls choosing to model, urging them to exercise caution and to make sure images appropriately reflected their age. "
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My friend Tracy used to help make Skipping Girl Bags out of the owners house. For all you men out there who can't figure out what to give for Christmas, these are the best pressies ever! I've given them to lovers, friends and sisters, and they all cherrish them (because they're from me, damnit). Hey, isn't that my old neighbour Claire Daines with a skipping girl bag, yep, it sure is ...and now, you can get them personalized!!! Go skipping girl, go!!!
___

Who in God's name did Conner Oberst blow to make Billboard history? Troubled art school girls unite! Via Goldenfiddle.

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Ok, all, have a safe and fun weekend, and I'll catch you next week. Outy trouty...
... Seppo 4:10 pm...

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Queer Eye for the Bondi Guy

My Mom and Dad used to take me to the Minnesota Gardening Show every year. While I spent most of the time sitting on all the tractors and pretending I was a farmer, I never picked up... Damn that Carson.

Carson's most memorable moment must have been that honarary membership at the North Bondi RSL. However, he apparantly spent a lot of time at the ever popular boy's bar, Stonewall. The question is, did he crawl through the window, to avoid the hour long wait to get in (somehow I doubt it).

On my first attempt climbing through said window, I was fearful of the prospect of getting caught, but was chastised by several queens waiting in the queue... "come on, do it big boy, you don't want to be left behind... he he he...." Getting teased by the football team in high school is one thing, but to be harassed while waiting in line for a gay club is humiliating on a whole different level!

Stonewall Hotel
175 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

North Bondi RSL
120 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi
___

With only 24 days until my one month return to Minnesota, it is nice to see that the Australian dollar is on the up and up. This means more Gap Boxers, Benetton Suits, and a suitcase full of Chillitos, mofos! For those of you awaiting my arrival with baited breath, you can all expect a special gift. In the mean time, make sure that Lou over at Nye's Polonaise Room has the organ fired up, and the microphone ready for these golden tonsils... and that the grilled bread at Mancini's Steak House has plenty of butter.
___

If you caught the much anticipated premeir of The O.C. Season 2, you were probably as dissapointed as I was. Our consimate nerd has suddenly become a jaded angst filled indie fuckwit (hopefully this seasons soundtrack will avoid Interpol), and Mischa Barton's acting limitations are revealed in a very poorly directed scene including beach furniture and Clan of the Cavebearesque screaming. I am hoping that the gratuitous shirtless men and Mischa/Rachel bikini shots was Josh Schwartz taking the piss out of his own show. I mean this is supposed to be IRONIC, right. Here's hoping that things move on a bit better now that everyone is back in the Coen house (including Captain Oats). For goss, check out The Pool House, where insider Buzz Rodell lays it down Newport stizz.
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Everyone's favourite college sex journalist, That Ashley Girl, has called it quits. How can studying be more important that teaching nerds all over the globe what to do with a woman! Crusty keyboards in college common rooms are suddenly covered in tears.
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For anyone waiting for a Melbourne cup update, I placed $20 each way on this years winner, Makybe Diva and also got her for the office pool, therefore winning about $150. Chopper, on the other hand, backed the third place horse, on the place for $40, netting $960. Thanks for the Moet, Chops.
___

It's probably time for me to shut-up now, I'll leave you with some NSFW lovies from Charges and Tara Reid's boob scar outage video from the Thigh Master via FUBAR.

Outy Trouty.
... Seppo 9:56 am...

Sunday, November 07, 2004

Forget Behind the Music.... See Goldenfiddles expose on the making of the classic cover for the Strokes, "Is this It"...
... Seppo 11:52 pm...

Friday, November 05, 2004

I don't think their will be too much action from the blogosphere the rest of the week with the outcome of the election on Tuesday. This is the first time in my life where politics have affected me this emotionally.

Chopper sent the following from an Australian mate of his, living in DC. I think it just about sums things up. I am really frightened of the atmosphere I will experience when I head back home in December.

We're slowly getting used to life here in the USA. Half of the people here are crazy as hell. There are two types of Americans. Firstly you've got the reality-based community, who have some basic conception of the fact that Iraq is a disaster and getting worse, that a 7 trillion dollar debt with a 10 trillion dollar GDP is cause for concern, that Bush is a lunatic who believes that he can do no wrong and is making this world a very dangerous place. These people are mostly Democrats and mostly pretty decent all around. And then you've got the fantasy-based community, many of them of the fascist evangelical variety, who believe the opposite of the above and live in a different world to the rest of us. These are the people who've just re-elected George Bush with an increased majority of the popular vote, the electoral college, the house and the senate. Unfortunately, there are also slightly more of this second group, and their majority seems to be increasing. These people also seem to love war for its own sake, irrespective of what the ultimate aim is. You get the impression that they consider war to be sort of good for the soul of the country, and that without a good war that they'll lose some of their national vitality.
... Seppo 4:12 pm...

Monday, November 01, 2004

Rainy Days and Mondays

Since I always sleep until about noon on Sundays, I tend to be a complete insomniac on Sunday nights. The book on tape just keeps droning on until about 4:00 in the morning, and I end up wrapping one of my shirts around my head to keep the light out. So, by the time I get up, I am really excited about listening to the new Donnas album again. I plug the ipod into my Powerbook, and BAM, Powerbook crashes. ...I've tried about eight times to start the thing to no avail. I feel like I have a sick pet. Pray for my baby...
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Happy Halloween!!!

I apologize to anyone who has already heard this story, but anyway... I called Dominos to order a Pizza for pick up last night (the store is right on Bondi Road, and I can walk over in my PJ's) and couldn't understand a word the dude on the phone was saying. "Do you have any vouchers?" came out, "Doofa goodooo boooers?" Since I know the whole routine by heart, I just repeated, "One Meatasaurus Maniac" over and over until he figured it out. I expressed my concern with my flatmate, but he said, something on the lines of, "The poor guy is probably 30 making $8 an hour, what do you expect"....

So, I go to pick up the pizza, and there are two kids in "Scream" masks saying, "Trick or Treat" repeatedly. The man who took my pizza order has obviously never experienced Halloween before, and seems to be slightly mentally handicapped. He looks like he is about to have a nervous breakdown, and keeps repeating back to the kids, "$3.95..." I tried to intervene, and finally realized that he thought they were saying "Chicken Strips," which were on special. Finally the kids grew frustrated and left, with a very naughty outburst that I will not repeat. I tried to explain what the "Trick or Treat" thing was all about, but the guy just thought I was asking about the strips, and probably wondered what the hell their were so many chicken enquiries.
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Who would have thunk performing pony Kasey Chambers' marriage would end. What will her little one do. I guess the bright side is it may lead to a brooding album. The last one was a bit to chipper. I have had several suggestions that the alt.country crooner is my perfect match. Kasey, my Risotto is said to do wonders for heartbreak... give me a shout.

___

Tomorrow is my favourite day in Australia, Melbourne Cup. Me thinks the festivities will start around noon when we head to the Paragon Hotel, which traditionally offers a free mystery trifecta bet with every schooner of Carlton Draft. I have already spent $20 on pools, but will probably allow myself another hundo or so tomorrow for the big race. I haven't done to well on the cup in the last couple of years, but back in 2000 I won nearly a grand on Brew.

Last year's winner, Makybe Diva is running again (a horse hasn't won back to back cups since 1974), but much of the talk is based around previous winner Media Puzzle's stablemate, Vinnie Roe, of the Emerald Isle. Vinnie, however, has issues with a firm track and may not be up for the start.

Good luck Punters, 'til tomorrow...
... Seppo 4:02 pm...