Awkward Conversations with Management

This afternoon my Group Manager (female) came up to me and said the following:

G.M.: Would you like to go speed dating on Monday?

Me: What?

G.M.: You heard me. Speed dating.

Me: Ummm, I already have plans on Monday night, so..

G.M.: I mean for the Division meeting. We are going to have people talk about their projects while others rotate around the tables.

Me: Oh, I guess that's okay then.

I was horrified for a good minute there. Context is very important in conversations.

Salvador Dali: Liquid Desire

Today after work Mel and I went to the National Gallery of Victoria to see the exhibit Salvador Dali: Liquid Desire. This is the first comprehensive retrospective of Salvador Dali's work ever to be staged in Australia and it brings together more than 200 of his works from throughout his career in all media including painting, drawing, watercolour, etchings, sculpture, fashion, jewellery, cinema and photography.

Dali's style transformed greatly throughout the years. It was almost overwhelming to see and try to digest all the various pieces in the exhibit. I hadn't realized how many different things he was involved in, including working with Alfred Hitchcock and even producing a line of jewellery. My favorite part though was being able to watch the work he did with Walt Disney in 1946 that was turned into the 2003 animated short film "Destino". If you are in Melbourne you should definitely check out the exhibit, which is open until October.

endota spa

Today after work I headed over to the endota spa on Flinders Lane to finally take advantage of the 60 minutes organic facial that I won at the trivia night a few months ago. It was a fantastic and relaxing experience. I got wrapped up in a blanket and then had a honey and rosehip facial as well as a scalp, neck and shoulder massage. This was the first time I have ever had a facial and I enjoyed every minute of it. I had various things massaged into my skin, hot towels and steam to open up my pores, and spritzes of scented water on my face. The neck and shoulder massage was just what I needed and really relaxed me. All in all it was excellent and I would definitely go back there to try out some other spa treatments.

The Boat People and Hungry Kids Of Hungary

Continuing on for a second night of bands from Brisbane, Tash and I headed to The Tote in Collingwood last night to see Hungry Kids Of Hungary and The Boat People. Strangely enough, this was the first time I have ever set foot in this legendary Melbourne venue. There were supposed to be four bands on the bill, but when we arrived we saw the list only had three, which meant we had mistimed our arrival and therefore the start of Hungry Kids Of Hungary's set. I'm still disappointed about that. However, they were as fantastic as I was expecting them to be. We got to hear the new single "Old Money," which is up there as song of the year for me right now. They also played "Scattered Diamonds," "Set It Right," "Tell Me Twice," and "Lenny" as well as some new songs they are recording for an album. I adore their power pop songs and harmonies and look forward to seeing them live again in the future.

The Boat People also played a good set. I wasn't as familiar with their songs, but for some reason I still can't figure out, I do know a song off their first album called "Unsettle My Heart." They played songs from their two albums and some new material as well. "Awkward Orchid Orchard" got a good response from the crowd and two of the Hungry Kids came on stage for their final song of the night "Born In The 80s."

Yves Klein Blue Album Tour

Last night I met up with Tash and Daniel at the Northcote Social Club for the sold out album launch for Yves Klein Blue. We got there for the last few songs of opening band Hoshi In The Clouds and got to hear their single "Panda Express." Next up was an entertaining set by Sydney's Philadelphia Grand Jury. They have an indie rock sound and a dedicated person was doing commentary and intros in between songs. "Going to the Casino" got a good crowd response and they finished their last song by handing their instruments to people in the crowd to play- guitar, bass, cymbal and keyboard! It was a unique ending.

It was great to see Yves Klein Blue again and I think they were really excited and touched to be playing to a sold out venue. They played songs from their debut album "Ragged & Ecstatic" including new single "Make Up Your Mind," "Getting Wise," "Summer Sheets," "Dinosaur," and "Queeny." We even got to hear "Blasphemy" from their first EP. The encore began with lead singer Michael Tomlinson solo on acoustic guitar for "About the Future" and then the rest of the band came back on and played a fantastic cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." The last song of the night was "Polka" which had the crowd singing and clapping along.

The Good China Residency

Last night Tash and I met up at The Evelyn for the first week of The Good China's July residency. It was an evening of multi-instrumental bands with a large number of members. Starting off the evening was Icicle Melts in their first ever live show. Unfortunately, it showed. The band was just trying too hard to be avant-garde and none of the three vocalists could actually sing- let alone harmonize together. It was all a bit painful. Thankfully next on the stage was Plastic Palace Alice, who were fantastic. They are such good musicians and may have the best rhythm section in Melbourne. They played a few new songs as well as their classic "Empire Falls." Their guitarist also had on an 80s inspired outfit and was quite entertaining.

The Good China started off their set with "A Million Little Pieces." They have been busy in the studio recording their debut EP and each week at the residency they are playing a new song. This week we got "No More Maps, No More Roads" which was a great song. I really liked the way they have changed up the rhythm on the chorus of "Perversion For Profit" and "All Nothing" was a highlight of the night (Tash and I did the hand claps). It was good to see the Chinas live again and hopefully I'll make it to another show of the residency this month.