Saturday, September 04, 2010 04:33

Archive for the ‘Lifestyle’ Category

NERV Tonic

Friday, August 13th, 2010
Why do all the good ideas get taken?

Why do all the good ideas get taken?

So with all the work I’ve been doign for Manifest, I figured, fuck it I need a drink.

Last year I made one after the mascot, Peppa Chan, but this year I’ve decided I hate her. Hate her with a passion only born of complete and utter neglect and then having her intrude on my psyche once more. So what else can I base a drink on and draw inspiration?

Well, if rumours are anything to go by, one of the guests I’ve been arranring is something of a party animal and he could probably do with a drink too, so let’s make a drink for him, and one of his better known roles. (more…)

Too smart to be happy

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

I was reading the newspaper again today. It’s a bad habit, I know, as there’s nothing more depressing than knowing what’s going on… well, other than maybe having to sit with a bunch of models going on about how fat they are at 5′11″ and 52kg, when you’re 6′0″ and getting close to three digits.

Why is her mortarboard white?

Why is her mortarboard white?

However, The Age newspaper posted an article on how university students are more likely to be depressed than other people “their age”.

Never mind the obvious fallacy that there’s some magical age for a university student, considering that many people in the second half of their lives are still going on to tertiary education. The obvious implication here is that they’re talking about undergraduates doing their first run. 18-25 year olds. Ok, that’s fair enough. But why are they more depressed and stressed out than other 18-25 year olds?

The obvious suggestion is that study is hard… Especially now that the student unionism no longer being compulsory means many campuses no longer give out free beer on a regular basis. And without all that beer, a lot of students simply aren’t getting the kilojoule intake required to keep functioning correctly! Seriously though, I highly doubt that. Even if it is somewhat less than a regular full time job, a university lifestyle does provide structure, eeps you occupied and keeps your brain nice and elastic while you find the time to make new positive social relationships and generally have fun. Exams and assignments may be stressful, but often less so than accidentally nailgunning a friends hand to a beam as an apprentice carpenter (although that does turn into a “You had to be there” anecdote later… I assume *cough*).

I’m going to go out on a limb here and hazard a guess by saying that the reason why university students, particular those cited in the article as being in the Medicien or Law faculties, are actually in that band of people of higher intellect than those that are not students. Numerous studies have shown correlations between higher intellectual capacity and rates of anxiety and depression. There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence too. Even in Sweden! And how could anyone be depressed there?!

Oh, and lets not forget the obvious

Oh, and let's not forget the obvious

Even before empirical method for research was a standard practice, this was basically a truism. Ernest Hemingway, who is noted as one of the finer writers of the modern era blew his brains out with a shotgun. Vincent Van Gogh shot himself too. Nikola Tesla died of heart failure that many believe to have been caused by a drug overdose. Alan Turing, one of the people instrumental to ensuring the freedom of the world we know and love today, scoffed down an LD of cyanide. Virginia Wolfe decided to go for a swim… with her coat on… with the pockets filled with rocks…

It goes on and on. Smart people off themselves all the time. Why is for another discussion entirely, although my personal theory on the subject is that smart people can actually see that a) things are not ok b) they’re frustrated by the fac tthey’er aware they’re powerless to stop it and c) they perceive everyone that is less intelligent than they are to be ok with the fucked up situtation that they find untenable… with the occasional d) consistently being mocked for not lowering themselves down to the average (this one is most consistently seen in primary & secondary school, but also in the workplace. Indeed, tertiary education is one of the few places this is rarely an issue). The point is that perhaps all of these university students are depressed and anxious simply because they actually know what the fuck is going on around them and wish it were different.

Is there a solution to their depression?

Ohhh... THATS why her mortarboard was white!

Ohhh... THAT'S why her mortarboard was white!

Fucking… For guys this is an obvious one, but it seems for women, exposure to semen makes you happier. That’s right ladies, being the proverbial cum dumpster is a road to happiness… No wonder all those prostitutes are so unhappy!

I’d say medication… Fukitol, or Brain Candy. Something that makes you feel good and numb and absolutely not caring about anything or their moral implications. Oh wait, that’s Prozac! Failing that, there’s always booze. After all, there does seem to be a noticeable correlation between the rates of university student depression and the lack of free alcohol on campus. Or maybe just not being covered in semen, like this guy.

But what the fuck would I know? I dropped out of uni and now rant to a crowd of mostly strangers on a Tuesday night about what me and a tentacle got up to on the weekend under the influence of inebriating substances as my therapy.

Electric Sex

Friday, June 11th, 2010

I will admit I’ve been listening to a lot of Electric Six lately. It’s funky, upbeat music that still manages to have almost every sleazy part of the goth scene I happen to enjoy… plus semi-

This drink would also go well in a gay bar gay bar GAY BAAAR!

This drink would also go well in a gay bar gay bar GAY BAAAR!

naked, oiled up Abraham Lincoln! There’s also an 80s synth sound mixed in with all the funk that just reminds me of all those awesome 80s bands that somehow find their way onto gawth playlists. Duran Duran… delicious winter fruits…. and semi-naked ABRAHAM LINCOLN!

So to that extent, I made a drink to go along with this musical proclivity. (more…)

Hippie Coke

Friday, May 28th, 2010
Coca-Cola only ever allows attractive people to drink it, even if they are unbathed hippies.

Coca-Cola only ever allows attractive people to drink it, even if they are unbathed hippies.

The lavender liqueur I got from Topez a few months back has really started to grow on me. Especially as I’m out of the Whiskello :( I’ve found I’ve started adding it to a lot of things that I normally would think twice about attempting to make flowery.

However, I think I’ve found one use that’s particularly good for it. (more…)