Striving for eternity

Spectral Classes of Fixed Stars was published by the German Central Pedagogical Institute (DPZI). It’s hung on the hallway at my apartment and I’ve passed it a thousand times. My friend suggested I meet the authors, which sounded like a worthwhile idea, but I’m not going to have any luck tracking them down.

Directly affiliated with the Ministry of National Education, the DPZI was the central non-university research institution in the field of education and schools in the East Germany from 1949 to 1970. The institute was meant to become less scientific, but politically effective, by turning the “democratic school” into a more useful strength for socialist society.

My Own Private Idaho speaks to ‘being normal’ by juxtaposition. I identify with Mike’s unrequited love, failures, disillusionment and misfortune. The one thing dear, friendship, eventually jettisoned by a twist of social circumstance. Mike’s is life a microcosm of what is inevitable one way or another for everyone, intensified at the boundaries of what one human could bear, sharpening the question if 'normal’ is ever a reality for anyone.

The visceral but stylised tone of this movie made it one of my favourites.

at once broaching time and distance

Maker bench and tool rack from recycled materials. Door and plastic packing crates from hard rubbish, joined with bolts. Lamp from green shed.

Tools: drill.

Price: $3. Effort: 3 hours.

Tin man costume from basic tools and materials.

Hat: plastic funnel, cleaning sponge cut to shape and layered for padding then glued in, old necklace (with hinge clasp) for chin strap attached with zip ties.

Hat deco: silver spray paint, old nuts attached with screws.

Bling: xl nuts, washers, steel chain segments joined with zip ties.

Tools: hot melt glue gun, screwdriver, wire cutters.

Price: $19. Effort: 4+ hours.

Fabric panels on ergonomic keyboard. Disassemble cover with screwdriver, cut upholstery fabric to shape of panels, spots of glue to hold in place while reassembling keyboard, cut grooves into plastic if needed.

Meaning of welfare

Meaning of bureaucracy

Meaning of management

High-light photo from my week off. I’ve always wanted to see lightning strike telstra tower, as apparently it will turn into a rocket at that moment and launch towards the moon… not this time.

My continuous service award

all things are impermanent

One day the telcoms will turn the other way for all of those tech-savvy folks who spend countless hours of their relatively short lives explaining to siblings or parents why their phone bill is 4 times more than their last plan, how to send video messages or why that irritating sms dictionary feature won’t turn off.

I will like that day.

Wedding gift for G and N.

Hand-drawn in Gimp with bezier curves. Later laser etched into wooden chopping board.