The drama started when I caught the wrong train at Central and ended up at Ashfield instead of Newtown.
Well it’s Sunday morning and I’m kinda half-watching the 2020 summit on television. I watched a fair bit of it yesterday also. Nothing remarkable so far, from what I can see. Highly reminiscent of a thousand conferences I’ve been to, complete with facilitator, whiteboards and butcher’s paper. And I did have to laugh when one of the facilitators asked everyone to get up and say hello to the person next to them.
Yeah, it’s shitty weather and I probably should go out and do something with my day, I guess. But it’s kinda nice just to be sitting here in my tracky dacks, reading email, watching television, and sometimes staring out the window. Multi-tasking is the way of the future.
Actually it’s been a pretty good weekend. It all started on Friday night, Damo and I went to dinner at Guillame at Sydney Opera House. We had a great table, a great meal, and lots of fun conversation. Damo has promised to provide a lengthy post about the degustation meal we had.
And then last night I went with Andrew to a friend’s house-warming party at Erskinville. It was a case of “lost and found” for both of us on the night.
And then after meeting at the Bank Hotel, walking to his mate’s place, we also got lost again. Thank goodness for the GPS on my mobile phone.
The party was loads of fun, and I met some interesting and fun people.
I’ve got a couple of work-related things to do this afternoon, and I’m back to work tomorrow.
I saw something tonight in a bar that I’d never seen before: a small soccer ball and a small soccer goal. Naturally enough, I did what I assumed it was obviously there for, though not without snapping a photograph first.
I mean, what a great idea? And what a contrast to my earliest childhood use of the urinal? Maybe it was just my school, or maybe it was more widespread, but I’ll confess to having participated in the childhood game of “see who can pee the highest”.
If you have absolutely no idea what I’m talking about, you’ve obviously never observed the behavior of young boys. The ultimate goal of the game is to hit the ceiling, with extra points for those who also can also manage to splash the other boys. As I recall, it was a game only ever played during infants school, before the chronic shyness of puberty hits in.
I seriously doubt similarly aged girls would have done the same, though you never know, as girls in school always seemed to go to the toilet in pairs.
If you’re a man, the whole world is your urinal. It’s like that song by Diana Ross… “no matter where you are, no matter how far”. The title “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” seems quite apt in this context, doesn’t it?
I’ve only ever known one woman to urinate in public. She was, of course, quite drunk at the time.
Men are quite different. I’ve even noticed on roadsides lately men who don’t even bother to walk over to a nearby bush to relieve themselves. They’ll flop it out on the F3 or the Hume Highway without a blink, seemingly oblivious to the passers-by.
Years ago when I was living in Wagga, there was public outrage about men peeing in public after a late night out at the two local nightclubs, Choices and Chances. I’m sure that’s what they were called, though it’s a long time ago, and I could be wrong.
Taking Aim
The public outrage culminated in a night when there was a local police blitz where quite a number of people were arrested. Working as a journalist in the area at the time we struggled to come up with a witty phrase to sum it. To compare it with other famous nights in history such as “Krystal Nacht” however seemed, inevitably, somehow banal and inappropriate.
At the time, there was talk in the daily paper the offenders should have been forced to wear yellow t-shirts (of course) and wash down the windows of the stores where they had offended, though I don’t recall if that ever eventuated.
As I glanced down at the urinal tonight I thought of all those memories.
“It’s a goal to O’Brien”, I uttered under my breath.
In a mid-afternoon text message, a friend, currently researching a documentary, asked me if I had any contact details for Bob Hawke. Laughing out loud, I rang her back and said, “Yes, I do, he’s standing right next to me”. I resisted the urge to hand the phone over to the former Prime Minister, as my friend and I kept laughing about the oddness of the co-incidence.
Bob was one of a number of special guests at today’s China-Australia Business Lunch at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art. In the official part of the proceedings, he spoke at length about the importance of the relationship between Australia and China, describing it as “Australia’s most important relationship”.
The team who helped produce – China the New Long March – Photograph by Catherine Croll
He also reflected on the forty years since Australia officially recognised the government in Beijing. He noted the role played by Gough Whitlam in particular, and spoke about how he recently attended the former Prime Minister’s 96th birthday, saying that although Gough is no longer in peak condition, the recognition of China in 1972 was one of his most important and proudest achievements.
Bob also noted the significance of Deng Xiaoping’s decision to open up the Chinese economy, and why Australia has become one of the greatest beneficiaries of that. He also mentioned that decision in 1978 led the way for India to become more open also. What surprised me most was when Bob revealed he had recently visited China for the 93rd time.
Kate and The Book
Another important speaker at today’s lunch was Harold Mitchell, who has made his fortune through advertising. He declared China would become the world’s largest advertising market by 2030, and argued Australia should play an important role in skilling-up the future advertising industry there. “Australia represents only 0.4% of the world’s population, but 5% of the advertising market”, he told us, adding Australia could play a significant role in the development of the industry there by opening up to more students in advertising and marketing courses at universities here. “That means more students and easier access to visas, as well as placements in Australian companies after graduation”, he went on to say.
Kate and Bob
The other key speaker was Wu Shu Lin, Vice Minister, General Administration of Press and Publications for China, who argued books are an important way to encourage a dialogue between countries, and putting out the message China would like to see more Chinese books on the Australian market, and more Australian books on the Chinese market (translated of course).
The host for today’s lunch was Kevin Weldon, an Australian publishing giant who has done a fair deal of business in China over the years, and who was responsible for the book, “The New Long March” which was the reason why I was attending the lunch. My friend Catherine Croll (Kate) is one of four Western photographers (and the only Australian) whose work features in the very hefty, rather glossy photograph book. As an article in the China Daily notes…
In late September, Croll was invited to join China: The New Long March, a large media project organized by Qingdao Publishing Group and Australian Media Group Weldon International to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Long March, the massive military retreat undertaken by the Red Army from Jiangxi to Shaanxi provinces to evade being pursued by the Kuomintang in 1934 and 1935. A select group of photographers from China and abroad were dispatched to sections along the route of the original Long March to put together a portrait of China today.
Kate invited me along to the lunch today where the book was officially launched. The photographs are wonderful, the book amazing, and I’m especially proud to see Kate’s work captured so beautifully. I’ll be spending the night going through it. Kate has yet to autograph my copy :)
Although I know for a fact a lot of people in my ‘hood really hate it (our Body Corporate sends regular reminders the City of Sydney has regular pickups for large items), I really quite like that people use our back lane-way as a short-term dumping ground for items they no longer need. By doing this, hopefully other people might be able to find some use in them. At the moment, for example, there’s a couch that’s in pretty good condition there for taking. If I didn’t already have a couple of very good couches, I’d consider it myself. A few years ago I remember seeing a washing machine which was also in pretty good nick. But yeah, I understand the argument discarded items like these have the capacity to attract vermin, as well as being unattractive.
I found this piece of 44 Gallon Furniture in my back laneway.
What I quite like about these items is the potential stories behind them. Over the last few years I’ve tried, as much as possible, to document and share on this blog, some of the more “interesting” items, and to imagine/reflect on how they came to be discarded. The last time I wrote was when I discovered a wheelchair in the back laneway. Wow, what was that about? I also remember seeing, and being very touched, when I noticed some items discarded from the house of two older women who lived closeby when, presumably, one of them had died. But there were also some funny items. I still laugh about the furniture made from 44-gallon drums and the leopard-skin lounge.
Amazing Lounge snapped in Surry Hills
I don’t know what to make of the cricket bat I saw in the laneway earlier today. Has Toby just grown up or has something happened that means he no longer needs his cricket bat?
Life continues to return to normal after my big trip. Work went well today. I achieved a lot and felt good about all that I did. I also went out for lunch with Damien ahead of his (very overdue) haircut (after lunch) and trip to New Zealand (tonight). And then tonight I caught up with Michaela for a drink and a meal at our favourite Sydney small bar, Yulli’s.
Oh, by the way, as an aside, Kate came up with a great phrase last night when we too caught up in a small bar. I described it as “One of those Melbourne style bars” to which she replied, noting it wasn’t quite as narrow as they are in Melbourne, “It’s a Sydney-style Melbourne-style bar”. That’s my new phrase I’ll be over-using for the next few months.
We chatted about life, the universe and everything. She’s very excited because she film she has been working on,”Boxing for Palm Island” has been chosen as the opening night film at this years Message Sticks Festival at the Sydney Opera House. It will also have a screening on ABC-TV later in the year.
Before I went to Sweden she asked if I would bring back a snow dome for her collection which includes pieces from all around the world, including, of all places, Dubai. As I was in Stockholm I looked around for snow domes. I mean, they have snow, so presumably they would have snow domes. And to be honest, I wasn’t all that impressed with what was one offer. But then I saw it. The commemorative snow dome for this year’s wedding of the Crown Princess. I told Michaela, the Swedish tourist authority had controversially branded the event with an English language slogan, “the year of love”. You can’t open a paper or a magazine in Sweden without seeing the royal couple. It’s like Charles and Diana, though hopefully with a happier story. And so when I found the commemorative royal snow dome I knew I had a winner. Only problem is, I don’t know how to say “snow dome”. I’ve looked everywhere on the internet for a translation without success. Until then, I’ve come up with my own phrase “Snö Globen”.
Swedish royal wedding snow dome
Swedish lessons resume next Tuesday, which I’m looking forward to very much. Especially as it will give me the chance to ask Marianne about how to say “snow dome” på svenska.
Conscious that I sometimes share material on other platforms that never makes “the cut” here on my blog, I will start sharing a few bits and pieces here also. These are the tweets, posts, and observations that still seem relevant at the end of each month. Lots of ephemera, but hopefully still quite entertaining.
November 1 : Have booked flights home to Lismore (Ballina/Byron) for Christmas. The most expensive in living memory I’ve paid for a flight home ($300 – no additional luggage, but included preferred seats). If you’re thinking of flights for Christmas, don’t leave it too late.November 3 : Called in to my local pub, The Shakespeare for a cheap steak for lunch, and then realised I was seated at Laurie’s Table. Apparently he sat at this table for over fifty nine years. I’ve got some catching up to do.November 3 : Going through some archive material and found the Wagga Wagga float from Mardi Gras 1994. Some people didn’t want to be identified on TV, so they donned Michael McCormack masks. At the time, he was the local newspaper editor and writing some very anti-LGBTQI editorials.
November 3 : Ahead of my NBN installation, I dragged out my old “home phone” tonight. Still, I did messenger video calls with friends tonight. I should just divert the number to my mobile, right?
November 4 : A friend of mine snapped this. Apparently they changed it very quickly.
November 4 : Amanda Vanstone made me laugh with her comment “”The sad thing, I think, is that we have got two guys standing as president, probably both of whom would have to do a test to get a driver’s licence in Australia,” (About ABC TV’s US Election Coverage)
November 8November 9 : From Sharron : “Happy Birthday James O’Brien love you to the moon and back. Have a great day xx@November 10 : Biscuit, the collectively owned cat in our apartment block sits patiently next to… the rat traps.
November 10 : OMG, have only just discovered this awesome video from Lena Philipsson – Stockholm (Officiell Video)November 10 : Since Anne Ruston is in the news, I thought I’d share this memory of when I used to work with her mum. Her mum was once a presenter at ABC Riverland in Renmark.November 11 : Last night I attended a fantastic story-telling, photography, community event in Surry Hills (only 50 metres from home in a laneway I walk through two or three times per day), combining the talents of @surryhillsandvalleys and @village_voices Really wonderful evening.
November 14 : There’s a thread about celebrity lookalikes, so I’m sharing mine. @TheRickWilson Much relief, as it used to be Kevin Spacey.
November 16 : Though it’s only mid-November, that hasn’t stopped Christmas decorations appearing on Crown Street, Surry Hills. This is the window from Sky Sirens, which is “The Academy of Burlesque, Pole Dance and Aerial Atristry.”
November 19 : I wanted to reply to some colleagues at work with an image of Dorrie Evans from Number 96 with the comment, “Herbert, why wasn’t I told”. But then I realised one of them was born after Pat McDonald died. I thought I’d save myself the embarassment by sharing here.
November 20 : The pic doing the rounds of Rudy Giuliani reminds me of the final scene from the 1971 film, “Death In Venice”.
November 23 : Fine workmanship.
November 25 : Oh my. The ATM has gone crazy tonight.
November 25 : Since connecting to the NBN, I have a home phone again. In the week since installation, I’ve had one family call, and every other call (maybe 10) has been a scam call. My number is unlisted, but clearly someone has had it before.
November 27 : Why I love my neighbourhood.
November 27 : Have any journos done the Santa Photos story yet? It’s almost December. COVID-19 distancing with Santa. Need to book photos, and most bookings are full, I hear. Photoshop an option? Lots of parents doing it themselves. A good story, and good talkback.
November 28 : I won’t complain since I have a fan to keep me cool, but if it’s this hot in Surry Hills, goodness knows what it’s like in some of the places I’ve lived previously. Wagga. Bourke. Renmark etc…
November 28 : Enjoying The Reagans | OFFICIAL TRAILER | The doumentary is good. Episode 2 calls out the racist dog-whistling by Reagan, and which is also evident with Trump. The narrative so far is that Reagan wasn’t all that bright and Nancy was the brains behind it all. It’s worth looking at. Features Ron Junior (sounds like Don Junior), and Kitty Kelley amongst others.
November 28 : This is a compelling and, at times, upsetting, but beautifully made slideshow of flood photographs from the history of my hometown, Lismore. James O’Brien and Lena Noonan moved from the South Coast (Bega) to Lismore in 1908, and mostly lived in North & South Lismore. This is where most of my family continues to live, so they all know what floods are like. I once remember my dad mentioning that his sister-in-law, my Aunty Eileen (an Aboriginal woman, so her history of the area goes back thousands of years) once mentioned a flood that went over the Cathedral Hill. I can’t begin to imagine… Anyway, anyone with a connection to Lismore, this is worth a look.
“It’s a gay day here in Stockholm”, we were told by the nice bloke on the tour-boat this afternoon. Even though the boat was mostly full of Swedish mums, dads and kids, it was a way, I think of making me and the American bloke feel welcome also. “For twenty years or so, we have been very open about a lot of things in Sweden, including sexuality”, he continued, making that welcome seem very genuine, with nothing tokenistic about it all. The buses here in Stockholm are flying rainbow flags, there are rainbow flags near the Royal Palace, and the department store, NK, has dedicated their shop windows to gay and lesbian-themed displays. Although the main action happens next week, Europride in Stockholm began officially today.
And what a beautiful day it was, too. A perfect day for a tour called the “Archipelago Race” which I would highly recommend. The staff were friendly, the tour guide well-informed, and there was a genuine sense of joy amongst those taking part. In essence, it’s a tour around the outskirts of the island of Lidingo. But because the island is so large, you really get to see a lot of the inner parts of the archipelago. And as the boat is a reasonably fast and small one, you can skip through the boring bits, and really get into some of the nooks and crannies of the archipelago.
Along the way, we were shown Bjorn Borg’s former villa, and given a vague direction that Bjorn Ulvaeus from ABBA lived on one of the more exclusive islands we went past. And closer to Stockholm we went past the site of the planned ABBA Museum, which the guide told us would be very expensive to enter. “Interesting”, I thought to myself, wondering if that’s how it’s viewed by ordinary locals. And the people doing the tour seemed like honest, genuine, ordinary locals too, telling us where bucks parties are held and such, as well as the more traditional tourist information. The tour guide also explained some of the history of the archipelago, about how workers would rent out their houses in summer to the wealthy people of Stockholm. She also explained a little of the history of the dominant colour schemes of Swedish housing – red and yellow – as colours which would appear to be like bricks and stones.
It was a perfect day for a trip around the archipelago. The temperature was about mid 20s and there was a light breeze as we travelled around. I noticed the other single bloke on the boat was sweating a bit. “It must be his first day”, I thought to myself. After a few days of warm weather, I’m finding myself a little more aclimatized now.
I thought I might get out of Stockholm for a bit on the weekend. There’s a few nearby towns and cities which can be reached easily by fast train, so I thought I might do a day trip or two. And then on Sunday night, I’ve got a ticket for the Peter Joback/Eva Dahlgren concert at Skansen. I’m hoping for great weather, a night outdoors listening to some great music, and then maybe a drink or two afterwards.
