Wanna go with me?

Within the last couple of weeks, I had some very interesting talks about relationships, and friendships, and even family, with a whole lot of people (though some of them had more to say than others, of course...).

Besides that, only recently an implausibly great many of couples I've known now for years broke up their relationship totally 'unexpectedly' - at least to their friends, that was, and mostly to one of the partners.

Some of the thoughts that came to my mind through this time made me look at life in a pretty different way and want to share my feelings about that kinda subject with others.


1. Relationships.
To me it seems, the main reason the 'classic' relationship (i.e. couple that aims to stick together until the end of all days) and, subsequently, marriage still do not forfeit popularity among the largest part of the world we live in, is simply because of (make-believe) practicability and convenience.
In most political systems, calling the institution of two-person relationships into question, would not only effect economy in probably unthinkable and maybe unbearable ways, but also most certainly lead to broad questioning the whole system; no hegemonial thinking country could encourage a mass shift towards autonomy in hindsight to relationships and lifestyle.
Therefore, the common belief in a dozen-years love attachment to one single person may be reconsidered, in favor of strategies in the way of open relationships maybe, or whatever else comes to mind.
Wikipedia: 'Many nonmonogamous terms are flexible in definition, because they are based on criteria such as 'relationship' or 'love' that are themselves variably defined... In addition, usage creates distinctions beyond the raw definitions of the words.' (Yeah, I know. Citing Wikipedia. Pretty bad, isn't it.)

2. Dependance.
Focusing on only one partner who makes like 45 per cent of your way of living and thinking - and worrying, too - looks like a pretty dependent or non-self-determined kind of living. I know compromises are massively important in life, and not to be thought of negatively at all.
But dependancy also manifests itself in the deep com-passion to the partner; which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but from time to time turns out to be the worst feeling in the world - since you couldn't do anything about it or get away from it the time you - and noone else than you - would want to.
Besides, 'time management' is a term that comes to my mind at this point. Because it is something that hardly ever turns out to work in a really democratic way in a two-person relationship - as so many other things wouldn't, too.
To be more than honest, I haven't figured out how to cope with this problem myself; though not stating myself a rather 'dependant' person, I fall for people - very rarely, but still - sometimes so badly I should better worry about that kind of issue. At least every couple of years, maybe.

3. Sex.
Now that's most definitely a topic I don't have to speechify about.
Sex simply is important. People how assure it's not knock me for a loop.

4. Jealousy.
Me, after being asked if I'd be bothered if my 'hypothetical' friend made out with another girl, honestly: 'I think it would bother me. But that doesn't mean I don't want him/her to.' If I'd feel jealous, or betrayed? 'Oh god, no, I wouldn't feel betrayed! And well, maybe not even jealous... I'm pretty much into the whole idea of open relationships. Would make things just sooo much easier to everyone! And as long as this means sex with other people, I'm totally fine with it. Or, you know, friendship. Just not like... another 'deeper' relationship.' So what makes it something deeper? 'I think it means, hanging out lots, and having that... umm... very butterfly-like happy feeling, and thinking of nobody else and stuff. But to me, I wouldn't say it has anything to do with more-than-once/before/after/whatever sex. But you know, that's the point where i can clearly see my whole theory totally lacks of a basis!'
Anyway, I think jealousy is the very main reason for so many relationships (of whatever kind) not to work out in the end. What is it everyone is afraid of? How could one live in a relationship expecting his/her partner - one states to love and only wish the best for - to think of oneself as such a perfect and ideal human being that actually all of his/her deepest wishes and desires could be fulfilled by only just being oneself, without providing any variety or alternatives?

5. Expectations.
People will most likely in any case of uncertainty start thinking of what the future could bring and therefore develope expectations, ranging from relatively 'little' and rather realistic, up to pretty excessive, hypothetical and dreamy prospects. And while I can clearly see the obvious 'pros' of imaginative thinking into the future as to mulling over what will become and how to react to it, maybe it is right that not only living up to someone else's expectations but also - first and foremost - making up one's own raises the possibility of disappointment tremendously.
To admit it, I shouldn't throw stones while sitting in a glass house myself - but I'm definitely (and sometimes probably even rather desperately) trying to work this point out.

6. Labeling.
As already stated before, developing expectations and therefore classifying things in one's head may lead to whole shitloads of problems. Living in today's culture and society, trying to fit things, people and situations into a ready-made box full of preconceived opinions seems to be more than common - since it comes in so very handy! Still, it wouldn't make much sense if examined more closely.
Anyway, people - when communicating with each other - are used to agree on something, like on codes as language, specific motions, and so on. If there weren't 'labels' to put on some sort of collective things that kinda 'belong' to more people than only themselves (as given in any friend-/relationship/family), I believe everyone involved would get totally stressed out and exhausted trying to find out what things are about... and hence maybe even more disappointed, since they couldn't just turn off any expectation or wishes or whatever, as long as there's no common believes or agreements deriving from something as such as a general term, for example. And as they would - or could - not talk about it (and therefore agree on a term), people would just be left alone with their dreams, wishes, or whatever.
This all sounds fairly confusing, I know - but it somehow turns out to be a vicious circle.
And maybe, time has just come to get away from all the old labels and think about new ones.
Maybe.

7. Ageing.
A very natural and understandable concern with not spending all your life in a monogamy/matrimonial relationship is the fear of being alone as one grows older and older. This may also be a main factor in deciding to have children.
Still one should be aware of the fact that feeling left alone only comes from inside, and that this could likely happen to people living in a family, too. I believe that at any age, friends are the most important factor to your feelings, and irreplaceable by any other social structure.
Concentrate on all those you like or love, and when living in a partnership, do never forget about them - like most folks happen to do.


Besides, no, I am not looking forward to getting married any time soon.
And no, I am not planning on having children. Which also implies - and implied - I wouldn't carry a child to term in any (accidental) case.

Also I don't want this post to sound depressing in any way, since I am very happy with that insight I got on (my) life. I do not want to discourage or even run down anybody for the way they choose to live their life.
Simply I want some more people to re-think about situations and relationships, and their expectations towards others.


Plus: I worked on this post for quite a while now (shame on me!), aiming to figure out the final version. As for now, I have to give in - not thinking that something like a 'final' thought on stuff like that could possibly ever exist. Guess I should call it a work in progress.


Last but not least I wanted to cite two very wonderful views in connection to all that crap I wrote - pointed out to me by someone I'd like to thank very much for all his frankness again and again.

First there was this sentence someone I am sorry not to know at all posted in his latest blog:
"If your life flashes before your eyes and you don't get a boner, you're doing it wrong."

And then, there was that image of a sign made by Tantek, saying:
"Your failed dating model is not our problem..."

All in all, pretty fantastic.

Villalog & Mäuse @ Rhiz

Just a short note on the Villalog / Mäuse show at Rhiz, Vienna on Jan. 24th

I didn't know Villalog (also to be found here; feat. B. Fleischmann on the drums) before, but I found they were pretty amazing. They just released their new CD 'Zwei' (two) under the Angelika Köhlermann/Hoanzl label, which you should definitely check out. It sounds like a toxic mix out of hypnotic electro-beats and melodic-psychedelic guitar tracks, underlined by ambient soundscapes from time to time, then again evolving in manic out-of-space-rock parts. Loved their "West Berlin" song!


But the reason for me to go to that show actually was the Mäuse performance - being their second gig after AGES!! (the first one just took place a couple of days ago...)

The line-up practically is a who-is-who of austrian sub-subversive music (plus non-music, too) culture; more precisely:
Tex Rubinowitz (vocals),
Gerhard Potuznik (guitar) - these two also running the Angelika Köhlermann label;
Philipp Quehenberger (keyboards), and
DD Kern (on the drums).


Yay for reunions - at least in like... umm... 5 % of the cases! ;)

All in all, the gig was pretty short, unfortunately - and Mäuse didn't play their greatest-of-all-times-hit (at least to me, that is), 'Il Pullover'.
Still, the show totally rocked.


Will upload the videos I took later on.
I promise!

Plus:
Tex R. also did a very fine job on the DJing after the show - playing mostly 1960ies/early 70ies hits. Really freaked me out, in connection to these bands!
Since then I just can't get rid of this sweet tune I catched (and therefore have to share with you):

Barcamp Vienna 01/08

Just arrived at the WerkzeugH, where this January's Barcamp takes place.
Knew nobody involved, but people are super nice. Totally excited for today's talks, will report back for sure!


Now: coffee.

(schedule to be found here)

Ear Ache

Some ear-educational links for today, focusing on swedish death to post metal:

Meshuggah - Psykisk Testbild (demo recording, 1989)
d/l from megaupload

Entombed - Wolverine Blues (1993)
d/l from zshare
or rapidshare

At the Gates - Slaughter of the Soul (1995)
d/l from mediafire

Cult of Luna - The Beyond (2003)
d/l from fileden (one album, two files):
part 1
part 2

Plus, the only today featured band NOT being from Sweden (but from Atlanta, Georgia):
Mastodon - Blood Mountain (2006)
d/l from zshare
or rapidshare

Take care!

sound:frame 08

This friday, 18-01-08, the opening to the 2nd sound:frame festival (curated by Eva Fischer), dedicated to projection, sound and audio-visual culture, took place at the Künstlerhaus.
Until Feb. 20th, several locations all over Vienna will not only display various national and international artworks and projects, but there'll also be a line-up of performances, workshops and a conference, held every saturday.

Below there's a bunch of the pics I took at the exhibition (linking to the rest of them on my Flickr account), plus a viddy I edited most crappy in like no time...
Anyway: enjoy!




















More about the sound:frame festival and associated projects can be found here:

http://www.soundframe.at
http://vienna.metblogs.com
http://www.k-haus.at

Making ends meet

For the last six hours, I was sitting in my living room with my ex-fiancé, sorting out our record collection. Both we are addicted to LPs especially, both we wanted to have them all.

Naturally, this wouldn't work out quite as well as everyone hoped it would. It was our second attempt today, and this time, we finished.
We went through a whole lot of concessions and tried very hard to keep it all diplomatic and amicable and civilized, but still my heart is bleeding thinking of the end of a really great collection we built up together during the last years.
Besides that, I am totally thankful for all the time and effort Role put into this.

Somehow, this all feels pretty weird and final all of a sudden.

Pure Golden Love

Actually, I wanted to blog about some music and design stuff today - but the breaking news of the day (me getting a new absolutely special and generally awesome vintage single speed bike of course) totally overruled these intentions!! Lookie:


At the Radlager - Stavros is a genius. And incredibly fast with bikes.



Finally: My little beauty at Drea's place, waiting for our next ride tomorrow morning...



Single speed rocks. I think.



Did I already mention the term 'beauty'? ;)

Btw, my very special Pure Golden Love baby is a 1960ies Capo (Viennese) racer, but I had it customized. Chances you'll find anything alike in Vienna tend to zero.

Yay for photos!

Just uploaded a whole bunch of pics I took at the BOKU (University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna) the other day to Flickr...



Plus, obviously more important:
I met my friend Dodo at the Radlager Palazzo tonight, where we, while having an exquisite cool Club Mate ('You get used to it'), discussed some of our newest and most awesome project ideas - like the female-concentrated porn magazine project (current working title: Pornööö) we've just started to work on.
Further important projects that came to our feverish minds include the beauteous 'Active Morbid Emergence Night' bike project, or the yet unreasonably infamous but incredibly wise one-year-marriage project!

Atween, we took a short but fast ride on these exorbitantly beautiful bikes, me on my - hopefully - future one (it's single speed, no fixed gear though), built in Vienna in the early 1960ies - and yes, it's GOLDEN.
I absolutely love it:

Maybe there's a couple of things I might customize, though (at least the handlebar). Have to go back tomorrow for sure!

Upcoming!

Not only the weather has decided to improve way beyond my expectations in terms of temperature rising - today was the very fist day I went outside without my huge thick winter gloves on! -, but also my mood is getting better and better because of the start of yet another most AWESOME concert season!

Upcoming shows and events in Vienna I'd recommend you warmly not to miss include the following:

21/01 Suzie cries for help w/ Kimera @ Chelsea
24/01 Villalog w/ Die Mäuse @ Rhiz
26/01 Barcamp Vienna @ WerkzeugH
31/01 Fuckhead @ Chelsea

07/02 Dimitrij w/ Killed by 9V Batteries @ Arena (3raum)
13/02 Bulbul w/ Maja Osojnik 'Horror', feat. Fritz Ostermayer @ Rhiz
21/02 Alec Empire @ Flex
24/02 Earth w/ Sir Richard Bishop @ Szene
25/02 Dismember w/ Hatesphere @ Arena (kleine Halle)

13/03 Dillinger Escape Plan w/ Poison the Well @ Arena
19/03 The Scarabeusdream w/ Jakuzi's Attempt @ Rhiz

16/04 Soap & Skin w/ Reflector @ Rhiz
18/04 Einstürzende Neubauten @ Arena
22/04 Isis @ Arena
26/04 Melvins @ Arena

24/05 Melt Banana w/ Jakuzi's Attempt @ Fluc

Guess I'll update this list within the next weeks and months when more dates will be fixed.

Now that's what I call a nice schedule! :)

Reign in Blood feat. on Wikipedia

Today's featured article on Wikipedia:

Californian trash metal band Slayer's 1986 released third studio album, Reign in Blood.

It's the album they did just before South of Heaven, which came out in 1988, and just as awesome i think. Featuring their well-known - and more than once used for movie soundtracks - song Angel of Death, the discussions about the band sympathizing with Nazi and racist issues leading to much controversy started from thereon. Because of these issues, Def Jam's distributor Columbia Records refused to release the album, and it therefore got distributed by Geffen Records; however, it never appeared on Geffen's official release schedule.

After the tours following the release of Reign in Blood, drummer Dave Lombardo left the band (but will return ten years after, for their album Christ Illusion); in the meantime, he played with several other artists, including Mike Patton with Fantomas (the probably most awesome music project EVER), or Apocalyptica on their Reflections album.

Me likez jabbering bout featured articles. ;)

Junk City

If you follow Boing Boing or io9, you may have already read about Chu Enoki's RPM-1200, also referred to as the Junk City (actually i think it was featured in several blogs by now):

(photograph by Keizo Kioku)

Referring to his own site, japanese sculptor Enoki started to build that beautiful, crescent-shaped, shiny cityscape out of old, highly polished metal drill bits, mashine parts, junk and garbage - what other people may call it -, already back in 2005.

The giant diorama is over 11 feet tall and measures 15 feet in diameter, and is incredibly detailed.
It is one of his newest installations to be on display, and to me, one of his absolutely most impressive ones (though I'm pretty much into all of his other artworks, too)!

(photograph by Yuto Hirakakiuchi)

For an exhibition in Tokyo, Japan Enoki positioned the RPM-1200 in a pitch black room with the lights slowly turning off and on over the city, casting highly realistic shadows of futuristic skyscrapers.

Often categorized as avant-garde, Chu Enoki seems to follow his very own path to art and making.


Go have a look:
http://chuenoki.com
http://chuenoki.com/works.html
http://io9.com/327758/welcome-to-junk-city
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/01/12/shiny-metal-garbage.html

just... weird

This very minute my life feels so weird and chaotic to me. Maybe that's for a yet secret reason, maybe it's just a general overflow of awesomeness, maybe it's because of all these changes I'm going through right now.
And still, I'm pretty happy with it.

I cannot put into words how much I'm looking forward to all the travelling I plan on this year - not only including visiting places around Europe (especially Berlin, of course) again, but also I'll be heading over to the US for the first time in my life.
Which is gonna be pretty awesome, I think!

Also, I'm looking forward to meet a bunch of incredibly nice people I had the chance to get to know within the last weeks and months... some of whom changed my life in ways I had never thought could happen before.

Just as I posted *somewhere* else, by the first 30 seconds of 2008, I had that feeling this year will become a great one (very special hugs to tbsckas, who made me blush not only once)!

I'm totally excited.

Another day, another blog.

Now this hopefully will be the very last time I worry about social stripteasing on the internet and splitting up my mind over 31 (in words: thirty-one!) different websites I forget about checking and updating all the time.
Finally, the point has come where I cannot even remember the simpliest passwords I used.
I don't want my mind to be in a race just to make sure I didn't forget about... some 72 dpi stuff (and the other people being addicted to it)!

From now on, please keep this blog in mind - since this will be the only post of its kind here:
I'm gonna place the most important links to the most 'important' sites I use for social networking and alike and wherefrom, ever from now on, I'm just gonna link to this brandnew blog of mine, right at the bottom, at your disposal. (Until I'm finally finished with my own site, that is. Which probably may take me another year, looking back on how little I managed to work on it in 2007.)
Privacy matters, all well and good. But I really need some rest from all that Myspace/Facebook/StudiVZ/Suicidegirls messaging/blogging/commenting insanity.

So go ahead and subscribe to this blog instead all of that other crap of mine.
Thank's for your kindest understanding.


Flickr: Right at the moment, this is my very favourite kind of a 'blog': less words, more fun. I love it.


Suicidegirls: Somehow something in between addiction and - strangely - work to me. Plus totally hot nakedness, of course! Actually, I'm not going to link or move my SG blog over here entirely, but just copy & paste some of the stuff I write. Maybe.


Myspace: Well, you know... I'm sure you know what I mean.
So no more blogging on there.


Facebook: Right. What the heck am I doing right now, right there? Barely used, FB feels like a millstone round my neck.


StudiVZ: Same thing, actually - if only there wasn't my very best friend dRea who forced me into it, somehow ;)


Iqons: Networking for fashionistas & co. That blurb is the only thing that will stay over there, too.


last.fm: Even to ppl who may've only met me once or twice, it's pretty obvious I'm completely into music. I fall for gorgeous, nice, rare records again and again. Thus, no wonder I got a last.fm account - pretty weird though, I always forget turning it on or logging in.
Which reminds me again of the fact I haven't posted about music or concerts for weeks; which feels like ages to me. Brrr.


del.icio.us: Links, links, and links again. Actually I've started a second and third one for the agency, and for the University of Applied Arts when I used to work for them (copro & computerstudio)...
Will let you know about any spectacular updates on this blog, too.


Twitter: Blogging in only 140 characters per post. Pretty awesome, I gotta admit. Unfortunately, not many spread the word around mid-Europe yet.


Skype: This may be the app I use second most (right after Entourage for mails)...
If you don't feel like staying in contact via commenting on here, I pretty much advise you to skype me instead. Seriously, I can't stand these Msp/StudiVZ/whatthefuck msges any longer.


AIM: Hardly ever use it, but still there's a couple of ppl who haven't yet given in and got a Skype account. Gosh!