Hello friends!
Less than twelve hours ‘til I need to check in, apologies for the lack of updated these last few days – duty called at work. What a week it was! To bring you up to speed:
Couch Surfing
I ended up emailing 20 people in and around Los Angeles – received 15 replies from a bunch of nice people, but unfortunately no one could accommodate me due to the short notice. It’s still a really interesting concept that I would encourage you to check out - http://couchsurfing.org
I was however, propositioned on two occasions by some very forward guys who offered a place in their bed, not their couch. Kind of put me off the whole thing. I should point out these came via email, not through the monitored CS email system. No harm done.
Blog Visitors
We now have 306 unique visitors across 7 countries! I’ll do a full case study when I’m back and make available for download. Still, it a pretty surprising result! Hopefully we can hit 500 before this is out!
Far Update
I received a really nice email from one of the band’s associates, confirming guestlist and arrangements, etc. The first email came less than 24 hours after the propositions, so I was a little dubious at first. A quick verification and everything was set straight! Looking forward to catching up in LA!
If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the Ginuwine cover, check it out here. Funny, funny shit that is apparently in reasonable rotation in Sacramento!
... and there’s a good article I stumbled across here. Worth a read!
Itinerary confirmed
A Gig Too Far! Is going to Vegas! Found a ripper deal for a return airfare from LA, inclusive of two nights at the Stratosphere – north of the strip but cheap as chips!
Saturday 11th - Santa Monica
Sunday 12th - Santa Monica
Monday 13th - Vegas baby! Vegas!
Tuesday 14th - Vegas baby! Vegas!
Wednesday 15th - West Hollywood – Pomona show
Thursday 16th - West Hollywood – Troubadour show
Friday 17th - Evening Flight back to Melbourne
Sunday 19th - Home to see my girl!
Thanks
Again, sincere thanks to those that helped raise the $2,004 need for the airfare – this is an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity!
Also, many thanks to Chris at MINI, who looked into the possibility of a loan MINI Cabrio in LA, but alas – too short notice. I appreciate the effort though mate, thanks! Will have to find another way for the mission to Malibu!
Thanks also to Tanya, who has hooked us up with some cab money for LAX! Each day it’s worth a little more – the gift that keeps on giving! Fucking US$0.66, can you believe it!!!
More later.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Giddy Up!
Nice little article posted today at filter-mag.com
Hot Little Pony World Tour, Single, Video, Contestby Staff 10.06.2008
Storming in from rural Canada like Zeppelin to Valhalla, arch-rivals in the blood feud that is the Arcade Fire Mafia Turf War... Here comes Hot Little Pony. Their world tour starts on the 15th of October in Pomona, CA and ends on the 16th in Los Angeles, CA.
Their first single, 'Pony' is Feist-eats-Sufjan-pukes-Sabbath. It's available for exclusive download from Filter, just click here. Pitchfork loves 'em like they love Black Kids, Sarah Palin hates 'em likes she hates Black Kids, your head will simply explode.
They're also having a contest to make a video for the single. Extra points for manipulating pictures of toy horses in obscene ways or creative use of wildlife footage. The only requirement is promoting the shows. Just make an awesome video, post it up on YouTube and send the link as a comment at http://myspace.com/hotlittlepony. The winner gets HLP swag, tickets to a show and 4Lyfe membership in the HLP Fan Club.
Source: http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17617&c=1
In other news, Far's UK shows have been confirmed too via their MySpace:
Far UK Shows in November
Far will play several shows in the UK in November.
Monday, November 24- TJ'S Disco - Newport, South Wales
Tuesday, November 25- Carling Academy - Birmingham, England
Wednesday, November 26- King Tut's Wah Wah Hut - Glasgow, Scotland
Thursday, November 27- Manchester Academy - Manchester, England
Friday, November 28- The Mean Fiddler - London, England
thebandfar.com will go live for real on OCT 14. Visit now for a special message.
Rock.
Good times!
Hot Little Pony World Tour, Single, Video, Contestby Staff 10.06.2008
Storming in from rural Canada like Zeppelin to Valhalla, arch-rivals in the blood feud that is the Arcade Fire Mafia Turf War... Here comes Hot Little Pony. Their world tour starts on the 15th of October in Pomona, CA and ends on the 16th in Los Angeles, CA.
Their first single, 'Pony' is Feist-eats-Sufjan-pukes-Sabbath. It's available for exclusive download from Filter, just click here. Pitchfork loves 'em like they love Black Kids, Sarah Palin hates 'em likes she hates Black Kids, your head will simply explode.
They're also having a contest to make a video for the single. Extra points for manipulating pictures of toy horses in obscene ways or creative use of wildlife footage. The only requirement is promoting the shows. Just make an awesome video, post it up on YouTube and send the link as a comment at http://myspace.com/hotlittlepony. The winner gets HLP swag, tickets to a show and 4Lyfe membership in the HLP Fan Club.
Source: http://www.filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17617&c=1
In other news, Far's UK shows have been confirmed too via their MySpace:
Far UK Shows in November
Far will play several shows in the UK in November.
Monday, November 24- TJ'S Disco - Newport, South Wales
Tuesday, November 25- Carling Academy - Birmingham, England
Wednesday, November 26- King Tut's Wah Wah Hut - Glasgow, Scotland
Thursday, November 27- Manchester Academy - Manchester, England
Friday, November 28- The Mean Fiddler - London, England
thebandfar.com will go live for real on OCT 14. Visit now for a special message.
Rock.
Good times!
The world is about to end!
Well not quite, but the Aussie dollar is taking an absolute hit right now.
It's currently trading below US$0.70! Not fucking ideal! That's over a 7% fall today!
It's currently trading below US$0.70! Not fucking ideal! That's over a 7% fall today!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Attention Californian Friends!
Was looking of the site’s analytics and noticed that there are a few of you in the greater Los Angeles area who are following this quite closely. If you’re one of those from Glendale or Beverly Hills then please get in touch. Any SACTO folks who are heading sough for the gigs get in touch too! Would love to catch up and have a drink with you sometime next week.
I’ve also decided to hire a car to get to the Pomona show, so if you want to come along, there will be room for 4 more.
... and an update on the Couch Surfing. I sent out 20 requests to various fun looking peeps on the weekend. So far, I have heard from 6 – 5 negative and 1 possibility. I’ll give myself to Thursday, then I’ll have to sort accommodation for the first few days.
I’ve also decided to hire a car to get to the Pomona show, so if you want to come along, there will be room for 4 more.
... and an update on the Couch Surfing. I sent out 20 requests to various fun looking peeps on the weekend. So far, I have heard from 6 – 5 negative and 1 possibility. I’ll give myself to Thursday, then I’ll have to sort accommodation for the first few days.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Couch Surfing!
I was discussing accommodation options with a mate at work on Friday and he suggested i look into The Couch Surfing Project - couchsurfing.org. Founded in 2004, it's a community that connects travellers the world over, who offer their couches to fellow members! As of August 2008, it had more than 700,000 members in 232 countries!
What an amazing way to experience the world! You always strive to have a real local experience when you're abroad - what better way than through a massive homestay network!
So I’ve just registered and will spend the evening approaching some CS's in Los Angeles - hopefully I can find a few locals who have some availability! Certainly beats staying in a stale hotel room by myself!
So hello to anyone who’s stopped by from CS – if you don’t have any availability but want to catch up for a beer get in contact!
What an amazing way to experience the world! You always strive to have a real local experience when you're abroad - what better way than through a massive homestay network!
So I’ve just registered and will spend the evening approaching some CS's in Los Angeles - hopefully I can find a few locals who have some availability! Certainly beats staying in a stale hotel room by myself!
So hello to anyone who’s stopped by from CS – if you don’t have any availability but want to catch up for a beer get in contact!
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Rumour Mill
Rumours of a new Far single circulated today. Posted by Jonah on his blog:
hot little publicity
by jonah on Thu Oct 02, 2008 8:34 pm
just hangin with baby countdown. he played me HLPs new single, droppin oct6, it's fucking insane.
... then it broke in press:
Hot Little Pony Release New Single, Announce LA Tour Dates
by staff | 10.06.2008
Canadian bred Hot Little Pony has come galloping in at full force with their first single and will be making their way to Los Angeles for a couple of dates. They're also having a contest to make their video for the new track. For more information on the video contest and to hear the new single, click here.
http://filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17598&c=1
Interesting developments! Stay tuned.
hot little publicity
by jonah on Thu Oct 02, 2008 8:34 pm
just hangin with baby countdown. he played me HLPs new single, droppin oct6, it's fucking insane.
... then it broke in press:
Hot Little Pony Release New Single, Announce LA Tour Dates
by staff | 10.06.2008
Canadian bred Hot Little Pony has come galloping in at full force with their first single and will be making their way to Los Angeles for a couple of dates. They're also having a contest to make their video for the new track. For more information on the video contest and to hear the new single, click here.
http://filter-mag.com/index.php?id=17598&c=1
Interesting developments! Stay tuned.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
A week for the ages!
It’s official. A Gig Too Far is going to LA!
Flight Centre confined that I could still secure the cheap seats to LA, but would have to act immediately despite being about $180 off the pace. Last night I figured, my previous months work expenses would almost tip us over the line, so I threw them in. I have begged, borrowed, sold to get the $1,800 to date so having finance kick in the last little bit isn’t going to hurt!
So at lunch today, I bolted down to my local Flight Centre and booked! Upon my return to the office a kind stranger kicked in the rest and here we are, $2,005.59!!!
Many, many thanks to the last contributors! You guys are truly awesome!
Adrian R $20
Bec W $21.17
Ranil R $20
John M $50
George M $6.34
Mary McK $6.17 - Our first UK contributor! Welcome & thanks geezer!
Jordan K $12.35
Expenses $131.09 - My money yes, but had totally forgotten about it! Still considered free!
NAB $5.67 - Yes, this was the interest from the donations in the savings account!
I’ve had some enquires as to whether I’ll still take donations. The short answer is yes, but anything we raise from this point forward will be donated to Oxfam.
Also, stay tuned for a full report on where the contributions came from over the next day or so. Now the fun really begins – 10 days to go!
DC
Flight Centre confined that I could still secure the cheap seats to LA, but would have to act immediately despite being about $180 off the pace. Last night I figured, my previous months work expenses would almost tip us over the line, so I threw them in. I have begged, borrowed, sold to get the $1,800 to date so having finance kick in the last little bit isn’t going to hurt!
So at lunch today, I bolted down to my local Flight Centre and booked! Upon my return to the office a kind stranger kicked in the rest and here we are, $2,005.59!!!
Many, many thanks to the last contributors! You guys are truly awesome!
Adrian R $20
Bec W $21.17
Ranil R $20
John M $50
George M $6.34
Mary McK $6.17 - Our first UK contributor! Welcome & thanks geezer!
Jordan K $12.35
Expenses $131.09 - My money yes, but had totally forgotten about it! Still considered free!
NAB $5.67 - Yes, this was the interest from the donations in the savings account!
I’ve had some enquires as to whether I’ll still take donations. The short answer is yes, but anything we raise from this point forward will be donated to Oxfam.
Also, stay tuned for a full report on where the contributions came from over the next day or so. Now the fun really begins – 10 days to go!
DC
Monday, September 29, 2008
We love our club and we play to win!
I’m still speechless about the events that unfolded over the weekend and without rubbing it in to the Geelong fans, it was by far the best weekend in recent memory.
Pretty stoked that I had the full Grand Final experience too - Grand Final Parade, amazing Grand Final seats and the player presentation at Glenferrie Oval on Sunday. This win is far more important to the club than 1989 or 1991 and proves that bottoming out and rebuilding with top quality youth is beneficial. It took Clarkson just 4 years to turn around this side and we did it 'without' Buddy! Amazing!
Stewy Dew gives hope to big blokes all over the country! Has been a superstar all season, but the big fella really turned it on on Saturday!
If you missed the game (is that even possible?): http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/79100
… and last time we met 17 years ago:
… and to keep the good times rolling we’re now at 86.5% and have only $271.17 to go! Tickets will be bought on Friday, so if you want to jump on, now’s the time!!
Massive thanks to the following
Paul S $20
Kendra T $50
Parklife $110
… and courtesy of the Hawthorn Football Club, these two gentlemen will kindly donate the winnings of our wager:
Adam F $100
Greg A $76
Again, that takes us to 86.5% and leaves $271.17! This is a seriously amazing result.
Pretty stoked that I had the full Grand Final experience too - Grand Final Parade, amazing Grand Final seats and the player presentation at Glenferrie Oval on Sunday. This win is far more important to the club than 1989 or 1991 and proves that bottoming out and rebuilding with top quality youth is beneficial. It took Clarkson just 4 years to turn around this side and we did it 'without' Buddy! Amazing!
Stewy Dew gives hope to big blokes all over the country! Has been a superstar all season, but the big fella really turned it on on Saturday!
If you missed the game (is that even possible?): http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/79100
… and last time we met 17 years ago:
… and to keep the good times rolling we’re now at 86.5% and have only $271.17 to go! Tickets will be bought on Friday, so if you want to jump on, now’s the time!!
Massive thanks to the following
Paul S $20
Kendra T $50
Parklife $110
… and courtesy of the Hawthorn Football Club, these two gentlemen will kindly donate the winnings of our wager:
Adam F $100
Greg A $76
Again, that takes us to 86.5% and leaves $271.17! This is a seriously amazing result.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
... and now a word from our sponsor
This couldn't be possible without the help of a number of very, very generous individuals.
Huge kudos to:
Adrian R $20
Bec W $21.17
Ranil R $20
John M $50
George M $6.34
Mary McK $6.17
Jordan K $12.35
Expenses $131.09
NAB $5.67
Paul S $20
Kendra T $50
Parklife $110
Adam F $100
Jarrod K $20
Donnie R $5.96
Greg A $126
google $6.57
Sian W $20
Sarah L $15
James A $35
St. Kilda FC $650
Steve J $6.17
Ian L $5.99
Thomas B $12.35
James Z - $50
Mr. X - $50
Pat D - $0.69
Mark C - $15
Anon - $20
Matt A - $200
Rob L - $10
Google - $2.77
David B - $20
Anon - $23.10
James D - $50
Simon F - $6.40
Corey W - $20
Alex A - $20
Billy R - $11.20
Jonah M - Doorlist (Thanks mate!)
Tanya C - $5
Matt C - $5
Tim C - $5
James R -$20
Toby C - $18.40
Huge kudos to:
Adrian R $20
Bec W $21.17
Ranil R $20
John M $50
George M $6.34
Mary McK $6.17
Jordan K $12.35
Expenses $131.09
NAB $5.67
Paul S $20
Kendra T $50
Parklife $110
Adam F $100
Jarrod K $20
Donnie R $5.96
Greg A $126
google $6.57
Sian W $20
Sarah L $15
James A $35
St. Kilda FC $650
Steve J $6.17
Ian L $5.99
Thomas B $12.35
James Z - $50
Mr. X - $50
Pat D - $0.69
Mark C - $15
Anon - $20
Matt A - $200
Rob L - $10
Google - $2.77
David B - $20
Anon - $23.10
James D - $50
Simon F - $6.40
Corey W - $20
Alex A - $20
Billy R - $11.20
Jonah M - Doorlist (Thanks mate!)
Tanya C - $5
Matt C - $5
Tim C - $5
James R -$20
Toby C - $18.40
Almost a certainty!
With only $600 left to raise, we're looking highly, highly likely! I'd hazard a guess that we'll be able to book the tickets at some stage next week! Who would have thought!? There a few things in the pipeline which should get us over the line soonish!
Jarrod K $20 - KYS Elite reprazent! Awesome work mate!
Donnie R $5.96 - another US friend! Thankyou sir!Greg A $50 - could be $100 + points if the Hawks get up on Saturday! Stay tuned!
google $6.57 - Thankyou AdSense! (but you're still a bunch of evil pricks!)
That brings the total up to $1376.83 or 69% of the airfare goal! This is seriously amazing and seriously unexpected! I'm looking at making a commemorative tee to wear - if anyone knows anyone who makes good one offs let me know!
For those sitting on the fence, jump on board now and know that we'll actually be able to donate something to charity!
google $6.57 - Thankyou AdSense! (but you're still a bunch of evil pricks!)
That brings the total up to $1376.83 or 69% of the airfare goal! This is seriously amazing and seriously unexpected! I'm looking at making a commemorative tee to wear - if anyone knows anyone who makes good one offs let me know!
For those sitting on the fence, jump on board now and know that we'll actually be able to donate something to charity!
I would love some advice on where to stay from those in the know!? I was thinking perhaps Santa Monica for a few nights first, then West Hollywood to finish the trip off. Please let me know!
... and advice on the best way to get to Pomona could be handy too! It looks like it's a mile out of town! Do i bus or train?
... and advice on the best way to get to Pomona could be handy too! It looks like it's a mile out of town! Do i bus or train?
View Larger Map
In other news, the SEM campaign continues to bring the lols (click here), but i was punished from the lack of updates last week! Not ideal.
... and a 2nd teaser vid was recently posted on thebandfar.com:
9.22.08 from the band far on Vimeo
I'm getting excited now!
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