TRAVEL DIARY

A weblog regularly updated by Jodi Rose.

  

VIEWING ALL POSTS FOR: NOVEMBER 2007

Friday, November 30, 2007

3:22 PM
Posted by jodi rose

I can trace the moment my motivation came back, and my brain switched on again:

10.23am Wednesday November 28

Finally, someone says YES! And it's a high-profile, significant someone, but I can't go into details just yet....

All I needed was something to move towards, a definite framework. Now I have that, everything else is suddenly in focus.
Sometimes all you need is that one dot that connects all the other points, so that the pattern clearly emerges. So simple.

After one of the darkest, most difficult and trying periods of my life, I am so happy to be given this chance to actually bring it all together.
This testing of faith and commitment has reminded me to appreciate the opportunities and support I have, and make the most of them.

The sensation is like trying to cross a wide river alone in pitch dark, teetering from one stone to the next with no idea how far apart they are, or when you will fall into the icy water and be swept away by the raging currents; then suddenly finding yourself strolling across a wide, evenly paved bridge in bright sunlight with friendly companions.

From here, it's all a matter of methodically building systems and following through. One piece at a time, the puzzle falls into place.

I'm curious to see what rises from the ashes in a new form, and takes flight into the future. Now I know that I deserve every atom of success that comes my way, I've worked hard for this. It's no easy ride, the whole 'inventing-your-life-out-of-thin-air' thing, believe me!

Friday, November 30, 2007

1:08 PM
Posted by jodi rose

Tonight's activities include the last exhibition at No Pain - No Brain tattoo studio, and a program of short films from the NY Anthology archives at Tesla, also closing at the end of the year. There seems to be an endless round of things ending, but always another Berlin rises from the ashes.

Trashy Sparkling Mexican Pop Art
No Pain No Brain

Finally, the truth is out!

After a series of extremely depressing conversations with men and women of various orientations, cultural backgrounds and experiences, I was coming to the conclusion that nothing much has changed since the 50's. The madonna/whore double standard is alive and well, and women who are 'too' loud, intelligent, successful or feisty just don't stand a chance in love. Well apparently that's just not the case:

Feminists Make Better Lovers

Take a feminist out to dinner - tonight!

Original story in the Chicago Tribune

My thoughts on the subject of Love and Travel from a moment in summer while I was learning to negotiate European gender politics. This is an ongoing project, I'll keep you posted ;)
xxxj

Thursday, November 22, 2007

3:43 PM
Posted by jodi rose

I finally gave in to the lure of Facebook a few days ago, and I swear, my productivity has already dropped 25%. Which is dangerous as that pretty much takes me into negativeland. I'm sure there are intangible benefits, and it's fun to see what your far-off nearest and dearest are doing with their time (becoming vampires, throwing sheep and watching kangaroo wrestling, it seems). However much joy the momentary glimpse into life on a wall post brings, I am still highly in favour of the being-in-the-same-room having a cuppatea (or other beverage) and a good long conversation style of friendship, over the insta-click variety. Call me old-fashioned, call me Betty, just call me!

As it's difficult to arrange those intimate chats over vast distances and time zones, I have come to rely on communication of the electronic kind far too heavily. Which is why it brings me such joy to meet up with fellow english speaking writers every week at Gorki Park, and have the full spectrum of non-verbal eye rolling, nudging and falling into each other in addition to our extraordinarily witty banter. Seriously though, these people are amazingly open, inspiring and constructively-critical-when-necessary, and extremely talented writers! The feedback this week for my chapter-by-chapter outline of the bridge girl story was the same as always: 'Jodi, you're a fantastic writer. Focus. And you're a freak... Use it!!' Thanks guys ;)

So I'm still working on drawing that red line through the last five years, collecting up all my strengh and all my sweetness - oh hang on dammit I quoted Andrew Marvell already last week, didn't I - well then, ...harvesting.. no... hounding.. no.. rounding up... what is that word? ... ummmmm ... collecting? not quite but anyway; gathering together all my terrible angels and weaving them into a long coherent story. Instead of a series of short incoherent rants. Now I have moved my desk and can look at the window, gaze at the clouds and daydream, I'm sure I will be more productive. Really. It's an essential part of the process. Flocking sheep of thoughts into muster.

I had the most wonderful evening with Jasmine, working on lyrics together. Her songs are so beautiful, and it was such a treat to have the opportunity for a creative meshing. I only changed a few words here and there in the end, but working within the confines of rhythym, syllables and the meaning she wanted to convey was a fantastic experience. I can't wait to hear the final version, and am all keen to start writing more of my own streams of consciousness into lyrics.

And in other news, the bridge concent in Ljubljana is all set for xmas, Singing Bridges is featured in Alarm magazine next issue out soon, and I have almost finished rebranding myself into a creative networking phenomonen with Global Bridge Symphony 2.0.

More soon, time to ring the embassy then go meet Miriam at Program.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

10:18 AM
Posted by jodi rose

How delicious, the sun streams through the window onto my bed for an hour in the morning.... and I'm learning to appreciate it in a way I never did growing up in eternally sunny sydney. Walking home from the U-Bahn late last night, the air is so cold my breath freezes for a moment... Really missing my bicycle, which has been on it's last legs for a while, and finally died on the way up Danziger Str. a few days ago. Thinking about that sexy black bike I saw at Treptower Park the other week with Mari, it might have to be priority no. 1 now. Getting home on the U took forever and was kind of annoying. I like cycling through the night, cool velvet stars in the blackness, past Tresor and the kids spilling into the street, along Kopenicker Str and either down Adalbert for the most direct route home, or past Schlesisches Tor to pick up a baked breakfast treat from the all-night bakery there. Ended up talking for hours with Julaine over red wine and chocolate... I miss the long dinners with close friends on a Friday night in Newtown. A moment of them transplanted to Berlin is damn fine. Have to dine together over skype sometimes, and grow new ones here!
Ok so now I'm just rambling instead of finishing a grand application.
Go Bridge Girl, Go!!

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

12:31 PM
Posted by jodi rose

Hello my dear friends,

I'm having sudden moment of absolute joy and excitment about life.
Wanted to share it with you :)

Listening to my new favourite band on high rotation this week -
Mary and the Baby Cheeses - f@&*ing amazing experimental pop group from tel aviv. The singer has the wildest voice, like PJ Harvey meets Patti Smith, but entirely her own.

They sound 'very now' as my record label friend described them on thursday at NBI; with gorgeous cello and home-made theremin sounds by NRAN - my new favourite hardcore minimalist electro musician (gorgeous grungy sexy.... devoted); a fabulous looking instrument hybrid of coal scuttle and bbq grill, bowed by Gil, and the wonderful Mariya's voice and keyboard.


Check them out, book them, sign them... do it now!!!!


The gig was fun, it was a treat to hear the bridges through a serious sound system, those bass rumbles are something else.... and to have that live connection with an audience. Really looking forward to the on-site gorilla bridge performance in Ljubljana. More details on that after the fact. Danced until 5am to trashy pop music - and I mean britney, robbie, kylie - with the indie experimental electronic kids. Fun. Now about to run out and take Julaine to the nearest wool shop, take Lola for a test run in her stroller - going for my baby license, maybe, one of these days... if I pass the tests of not a. leaving the baby behind, b. driving her into a ditch or c. overturning her in traffic - and then we shall see what the night will bring. Torben sent a flier for Cosmik Disko at 8mm bar tonight, and his favourite cult Finnish band Circle are playing on Friday, can't wait for that!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

11:35 PM
Posted by jodi rose

Electronica Burlesque
...and the bridges in between

Thursday 8th Nov @ NBI Club,
Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin

10pm start

From the Mouth of Dames part three, live music and performance party showcasing women artists in all creative fields. Live electronic
sounds, burlesque, experimental bands, and spoken word performance.

Experience it for yourself....

Live Bands:
Mary and the Baby Cheeses (Israel)
Experimental Folk with industrial influences and a grain of Post Punk,
produced by traditional and improvisational instruments. Playing a
2000W heater with a violin bow and a wooden-boxed Theremin, among other instruments and eccentric vocals, the group creates a rather stimulating experience both musically and visually.

Marzipan Marzipan
"Marzipan Marzipan is an experimental pop one-woman band. Based in
Berlin, she is also a DJ and visual artist, she plays toy keyboards,
old drum machines, electric guitar, loops, and effects to accompany
herself singing witty originals and surprising covers.

Burlesque Performances by:
Clea Cutthroat (Grotesque Gala) and Legs Akimbo (Team Plastique)

Live electronic music by:
Singing Bridges (Aus/Berlin) ambient industrial metal post electronica

SONIA BREX (sx). A true believer in DIY, Brex's excursions in poetic,
down- tempo, electro-pop is thoughtful, melodic, uplifting and
bilingual (she sings beautifully in both Italian and English).

Hosted by: Performer lady gaby
'On stage I can be your pussy punk poet, sprinkle glitter on your
egos, be your hostess and whip you with charms. I am the party hostess with the mostess.'

Dj: Geffen3
it contains hits hits and more hits..
from pop & 2 techno pop, from hip hop 2 & electro pop
from Britney spears 2 sonic youth,
from the sugar babes 2 the sugar cubes..

Vjing by Vagina Jones

Sunday, November 4, 2007

1:46 PM
Posted by jodi rose

...where was I??

unraveling, untangling words threads moments.

into something... more finite, composed?

too many ellipses.

today is my day off. really.
sometimes even artists have them you know ;)
well, that's the plan. but here I am again, typing.

It goes like this:
......... ~~~~~~~ ...... ~~~~ ........... ~~~~~ ..~~ .~ ...... ~~~~

That's the particle | wave dance for you.

Spontaneously invented by the very wonderful Tautvydas at the Pixelache opening party for our Particle | Wave radio playground at Muu Bar in Helsinki a few years ago. Sophea and I - rapid deployment disco dance activists from way back - looked at each other in amazement before joining in: 'you do the particle .... you do the wave ~~~' and dragging half the bar up with us.

So, this is all part of the strategy. One of my new friends - and there are so many of them these days, I'm so not German. Apparently the phrase for 'making friends' auf deutsche is to 'win friends' and it's a serious endeavour, not to be taken lightly, best restricted to only one or two people in a lifetime. Unlike my profligate attitude to friendship, where the warmth and care of a vast banquet of people is deeply reciprocated and tendered, across time and oceans, evolving into whatever form and shape most suits the flow of energy between us.

Anyway, as I was saying before going off on that little tangent - Paul suggested an ingenious way of tackling all the material from this extensive travel archive, and creating a red line through it by a. not going off on tangents all the time. ie: focusing. which I am evidently terrible at, see above. and b. rewriting each bridge trip and experience with the perspective and hindsight of where I am now, to create an engaging narrative for people who might get lost in all the wafty minutiae of the jodi freeform experience. that could be a great band name. next gig.

He said, there's magic here, don't let it slip away.

So, in between dreaming of compositions in the gold leaves still fluttering on the sparse branches outside my window, and immersing myself in every strange sound that ventures across my ears... now I am trying to find some measure of measure of cohesion to all this. Past and present. Wrap it all our strenght and sweetness up into a ball and tear our pleasures with rough strife...

Yes, sometimes the metaphysical poets are where it's at.

Anyway, last night's activities included a visit to Gordon Monahan's Fuzzy Farm, after years on that mailing list I finally was in the right place at the right time to experience the kooky kitschy insanity of this decadent hideaway at the back of the Prater Beergarden (the oldest in Berlin, since 1857 or thereabouts). Complete with world-famous Theremin player, Miss Dorit Chrysler who did a gorgeous smoky lounge singer act along with her playing. Still one of my favourite instruments, although hard to see more than a brief flicker of her wrist above the craning heads of so many retro-stylin' hipsters scrambling into the tiny area in front of the stage to get a better view. That was preceded by a trip to the United Nations Plaza for a discussion about radio practice that never really took flight, the many participants being all a little tongue-tied and somewhat disengaged with the questioning style of the facilitator, so it wasn't really ever a conversation. All of which made me realise what a spectacular moment sophea and I managed to achieve with our wonderful 25 radio makers in Helsinki in 2005, creating space and time for people to engage and interact together, which led to richly varied spontaneous events - radio and otherwise. Calling in with vignettes from the streets around the railway station; deconstructing the radio studio; broadcasting live from the artist's party on suomenlinna island - while cooking for 100 people - and retiring to the listening lounge at Laasipalaatsi in between. The self-organised picnic at the Sibelius monument is one of my favourite memories from that weekend, all the official program completed, everyone relaxed, chatting and devising new projects while sticking their heads into the 2-10 foot carved metal pipes on the cliff, to hear the wind play them.

So, now, where was I going with all this? No idea.

Two of my favourite people in the world are here right now - well not in the room, but in the city - Mari and Mika, who I met on my first trip to Helsinki in 2002. Through the extremely inspiring and dedicated global media networker, John Hopkins, who is also in town and made up our quartet for the fuzzy love experience last night. Which isn't nearly as debauched as it sounds, really ;) Anyway, it's so delicious having them here, there is something incredibly inspiring and grounding about spending time with people who have such a great perspective on life, and unique mix of thoughtful and joyful worldview.
Who also turn up on your door at midday with champagne! Almost time to meet again for our sortie around Treptower Park market, and then maybe Kulturhaus Bethanien.

Time to coalesce my thoughts into some form of art propaganda now.
Listening to Leafcutter John, The Forest and the Sea on high rotation. Something about his voice helps me drift off into that lovely abstract space I need to find for creatively word formations. Sentences. See what I mean. 'Slow down, you're always moving way to fast.' Mmmm.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

11:57 PM
Posted by jodi rose

This afternoon I took my coffee in a little red thermos and walked the three blocks to Maybach Ufer, to sit and watch the ducks. There is something inherently calming about ducks, the way they are just so... like ducks. It's all going on underneath. A flotilla of swans paddled up, looking fake like blobs of polystyrene, thinking I was going to feed them but all I had was words. That's all I have to feed myself too. One swan in particular made friends with me, wagging his/her tail feathers and swimming around excitedly, while the others all drifted off back to the bridge and people with bread.

Then I came home and made another strange meal - spaghetti with precisely one eggplant, one tomato, a dash of basilikum/tomato paste and 6 slices of fried halloumi. Mmmmm. Now I have to go down to the cellar for more coal. I can't believe my day involves that last sentence. Life really is very bizarre. But we all adapt.

Tried listening to the micro.fm talk from c-base - yes it's just up the road but I really couldn't leave the house tonight, am having one of those 'it's all too hard and everything aches' days. Intermittent hum was interupted now and then by faint crackly far-away voices, microphone scuffles and what sounded like a bridge in a high wind.

So I chatted with Philippa in Zagreb and Sophea in New Delhi instead.
Also heard from a friend in Brisbane who is trying to get out of a rut - hell, I'm trying to get in one! - another friend from Sydney now living in Vienna who has a show opening here next week, and the editor of a magazine based in the USA who is publishing an article about my work and needed pictures. Then wrote a proposal for a public art project in paris next year, and replied to my collaborating artist in ljubljana who is organising a gorilla bridge playing activitiy sometime, and another composer who works with me on the surround symphony in sydney about the sound biennalie in new dehli we have work in next year.

All up it's a strange juxtaposition of almost complete inertia tinged with hypermanic workaholism. Slowly the next step is starting to come into focus, still waiting for that moment to articulate it. Just a moment, in between many other moments, it will come in time.
Framing, facilitating, fantasising....

I can feel it's about to be a very busy month. Everything at once. Always. You should see my list of submission deadlines. At least I got to cross one off today. And another was deferred until next fortnight.
Still more to come, but can feel myself gingerly climbing out of the pits of limbo, scraped knees and burnt fingers, back into the world of international art operatives. Integrity, innocence and imagination intact. It's been a close call this time, but I feel that hard-won battle for my faith - in life, in myself, in music, in art, in bridges - is somehow over. Now it comes down to lifting one foot in front of the other, and keeping on breathing. I've heard the bridges singing. A vocation... an invocation... always an invitation.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

11:37 PM
Posted by jodi rose

notes from my writers group to follow
what is at stake?
life!