Street Phoner

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to finally become part of the fad that is "iPhone". I know I was really late to the party but after familiarizing myself with this new age apple lifestyle I started to get really into the game apps as I finally now understood the hype behind classics like Angry Birds.

Despite the fact that I am confessing my fandom, when it comes to todays gaming world I have difficulty adjusting. As a kid I was a hardcore fan of all the classics and like most things you loved all your life, I find it hard getting accustomed to the remakes and the newbies. Call of Duty: Black Ops just doesn't cut it against Nintendo 64's Goldeneye, and don't even get me started on how terrible Marvel VS Capcom was in comparison to standards like Mortal Kombat.

Despite this, I came across an App recently that's been adapted from the newest version of Street Fighter to be released on Xbox and Ps3 and it does an unbelievable job of reducing boredom. The most noticeable difference between the iPhone version and the Xbox version is the game play and controls. I wasn't a big fan of the Xbox version because the controls were way too hard and button mashing gets a bit old when there's no cool maneuvers happening in the meantime. The iPhone App however has a fun, simple system that makes it easy to hit wicked combos and specials whilst giving you a challenging computer opponent. You can also compete against friends or randoms online or whatever it is that hooks up iPhones, which is wicked fun.

All in all, Street Fighter IV Volt is well worth the crazy small amount of 0.99. For those of you who miss the glory days of Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Nintendo's, this one will get you where you want to go.

Related Links:

Purchase this App for iPhone @ Street Fighter IV Volt

Read a blog of mine on a similar topic @ Cure My Obscurity - "Haduken!"

Mojito Madness

 There's something about Sydney city that just cuts a hole deep in my pocket. As a lover of smooth ales and sharp fruity cocktails (otherwise known as borderline alcoholic) I can't resist the chance to stop in when vibrant happy hour signs beckon. No matter how hard I try or how sad my paycheck is, I can't seem to spend less than $100 on a night out with friends.



I find the best way to see a city is by accident. Getting away from the hype and stumbling across hidden gems is something I found very useful and interesting while travelling North America and it's a great way to give a fresh face to a place that has become stale to residents. This Saturday I was offered the chance to explore the city myself when a friend from Melbourne (who I lived with during my time in Canada) flew up for the weekend.



sourced from http://www.jaunted.com/

 The main bullet point of what was a great night out was several finds of bars doing cheap cocktails, sometimes at all hours of the night. The first one was a cafe/restaurant on Darling Harbour called "Baia: The Italian" that was offering 2 for 1 cocktails around about 4pm for $20 and under (averaging out to be $10 each). The trick with this place is that it becomes a restaurant that is reserved all night long so getting in early for afternoon drinks is the best option. Now I know this sounds like a pretty common function of Sydney bars and doesn't seem like anything special, but the reason I highlighted this place from the weekend was the cocktail menu and beautiful spot of the place. We were recommended a staff favourite called the "Anti-Social" which was a brilliant mix of Vanilla and Citrus and the most perfect addition of Absinthe. Strong enough to kick you into that special place, while being one of the tastiest drinks I've ever had. I would say that it is worth taking some time out on any occasion just to stop by this place and have a drink by the harbour.



Benny "Effin" Meyers sippin on a
French Martini @ The Strand Hotel

On our walk to the hostel and Kings Cross we also passed a place called "The Strand Hotel", a not too busy but cozy little sports bar that was serving $10 Mojito's. This was my first drink of this kind and came highly recommended by my Girlfriend so had to give it a try. At this price it was great, although I wasn't the biggest fan of the traditional Mojito I was happy about $10 cocktails and the Central Coast Mariners being up 3-1 over Sydney FC. The other (what I deemed) hidden spot was on the main strip of Kings Cross, serving Mojitos out of a coffee shop till 2am. I didn't get the name of the place, but in a street filled with debauchery it's hard to miss. It was actually quite funny to find a street in Sydney where a coffee shop looks out of place among night clubs, strip clubs and sex shops. If you're like me and are not the biggest fan of the nightclub atmosphere and more of a great night with good friends kind of person, then this place is a keeper. They were doing $10.90 Mojitio's "All Night Long" which in that part of the city is nice and cheap considering they do it all night. The three of us got the Raspberry, Mango and Cranberry Mojito's and all of them were fricken tasty, especially after many, many beers. It was the best little find of the night and I think perfect for a group for last drinks before going home or heading to a club for that time of the night when you're less at the bar and more on the d-floor.

Related Links:

Check out or make a booking for dinner @ "Baia: The Italian"

Backpackers Accomodation, after work drinks or cheap Mojito's @ The Strand Hotel

Make your own @ Mojito

Make your own "Anti-Social" with:

• Vanilla Liqueur 30ml
• Absinthe 30ml
• Dash of Vanilla Sugar syrup
• Muddle with Fresh Orange & Lemon (cut into in 1/8th's)
• Top with lemon Squash

Golden Boys.

 So last night, I went to Oxford Arts Factory to see the band of the year, Ballarat boys, Gold Fields on the Sydney stop of their headlining tour to support their Debut Self-Titled EP. I saw these guys for the first time at The Metro with Miami Horror back in July and I was blown away by the energy they brought to their set. Suffice it to say I was killing to check 'em out again and bought tickets within days of them going on sale.

 Up first on the night was a band called Conics who reminded me a lot of the UK band Foals. Despite their familiarity, they looked and sounded great, putting on an attention grabbing live show. With a tonne of catchy tunes in their set like "Holidays" and "Habitats" (which are both available for download from their facebook page), they seemed way above par as far as local supports usually go. I didn't get to see the national support Millions as my appetite for New York Slice got in the way, but you can check out their music by clicking on the link.

Oxford Art Factory Bathrooms -
just fancied the graffiti work

 It was my first time at the Oxford Arts Factory and what can I say, it was a wicked venue. It is the perfect cross between the gritty punk rock underground and the stylish sophistication of Sydney City. Highlight of the venue was the shots menu which consisted of a broad range of inventive concoctions that served 4 (sometimes 5) people for $20. Brilliant.

 As the crowd grew antsy, the curtains drew to reveal a bandless stage backed by an exciting light show and a fat digital introduction. In tune with what I remembered from their show at The Metro, the sound was huge; although last time the vocalist or guitarist would play an extra set of drums during some songs, they used digital sound to replace this and it just made it bigger and bigger. Once the band arrived and burst into the first song, it was really impossible not to dance to these guys. Even within the more brooding, darker songs like "The Woods" and slower tunes like "Holy No" lay some of the best beats and bass lines of the night.

The digital backing they received throughout a lot of the set did not take anything away from their obvious instrumental prowess. One thing is for sure; when it comes to writing unbelievable quality dance songs, these guys have the formula. Every single spot of the set was engineered to get the crowd going, and it did just that.

 No moment was quite like when they hit their debut single and Triple J hit-lister "Moves" which brought down the house at the end of the set. They made sure that no fan left un-sweaty or unsatisfied as everyone got busy cutting a few of their own moves. It was great to see a lot of new songs and the set was an amazing showcase for the upcoming album, that guitarist Vinci Andanar assured me earlier in the night, was "80% finished". There was a lot more synth, digital sound and funk-like guitar to complete the bass and drums focused mix I saw back in July and it's no wonder they're becoming big news fast on the Australian festival circuit. My personal favourite was this newbie, whose name wasn't announced on the night, but has nevertheless remained stuck in my head on repeat all day today.

 I don't think i'll be the only one coming back the next time Gold Fields are around. Tickets are still on sale to check them out, together with tonnes of other great Aussie acts at the upcoming Homebake Festival on December 3rd at The Domain, Sydney.

Related Links:

Check out what's on @ Oxford Arts Factory

Gold Fields tour schedule & Music @ Gold Fields Facebook

Listen and Buy the Self-Titled EP @ iTunes

Welcome to "Blog Life"

The story behind this here bloggy blog is short and sweet. As late as I was to the mark, I recently was given an iPhone. Coming into my third and final year at University as a Communications student, I find myself eveloped with reminders about the growing influence of social media in today's global culture. I figured I might as well be part of it.

The drawback of social media is that although the medium is marketed quite well towards the everyman, the personal sites of its members are not. With facebook, twitter, blogger, tumblr and instagrm (the list goes on); it all kind of seems like a blank pad for thinking aloud, and nobody likes someone who thinks aloud as it's the cause for many awkward (real life) social situations. However, I feel like I'm somehow missing out. So at the risk of boring people to death, this is my "blog life". An account of selected social, academic and recreational activities (otherwise known as 'rexxing') pryed from my eyes and ears and shot straight into your head.

Ladies and Gentleman, bloggers and blovers alike. Welcome to blife. A review of everyday things; from live shows to peep shows; world travel to time travel; fine food and good moods. Enjoy!

Follow me on twitter @ Jesse_Lewis1988

Follow me on tumblr @ jessesmonster.tumblr.com

Follow me on instagrm @ jessesmonster