As noted here and here, I enjoyed a terrific weekend catching with some current and former members of ABBAMAIL/Village, and watching Melodifestivalen with an assortment of Swedophiles, friends, and one Swede.
With thanks to Graeme, here are some photographs from the weekend…
Patrick Blake, Sam Appleton
Sam Appleton, Cotton Ward
James O’Brien, Louisa Cordle, Patrick Blake, Cotton Ward
Louisa Cordle, Cotton Ward, Grant Whittingham, Mikey Lynch, Nathan
Judy Sawyer, Patrick Blake
James O’Brien, Grant Whittingham
Mikey Lynch, Judy Sawyer
Mikey Lynch, Judy Sawyer
Mikey Lynch, Judy Sawyer
Patrick Blake, James O’Brien, Grant Whittingham
Patrick Blake, James O’Brien, Grant Whittingham
Mikey Lynch, Judy Sawyer, Patrick Blake
Graeme Read and Mikey Lynch
Greg Roberts and Mikey Lynch
Jeff Roberts and Greg Roberts
Grant Whittingham and Graeme Read
Mikey Lynch and Patrick Blake
Mikey Lynch and Patrick Blake
Mikey Lynch, Cotton Ward, James O’Brien
Patrick Blake, Cotton Ward and James O’Brien
Patrick Blake and James O’Brien
Patrick Blake and James O’Brien
Mikey Lynch
Mikey Lynch
Patrick Blake
Grant Whittingham, Graeme Read (back) and Greg Roberts
“I don’t remember us wearing our pants THAT high in the 80s”, I said to my friends as the “glass boy” walked past us at the Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre (aka the Bob Hawke Brewery at Marrickville).
The bar is themed around the former Prime Minister, with lots of memorabilia, including signed photographs, the pair of broken glasses he was wearing when a cricket ball famously hit him, the Australia-themed jacket he wore for the 1983 America’s Cup victory, and even the Bob Hawke wine cask holder.
On the menu was 80s-style Chinese food, including the best prawn toast I’ve eaten since the 80s.And of course, every beer on tap was one of the Bob Hawke Brewery range.
When you go into the men’s toilets you’re serenaded by the sounds of Richie Benaud calling the cricket.
The unspoken rule about playing pub pool is “your game improves with every beer”. My friend, who speaks Japanese as a second language, and I agreed it applies equally to foreign languages. “The more you drink, the more confident you become”, we agreed. She is, however, originally from Victoria, and devastated the pub rules clearly stated NSW doesn’t run with the two-shots rule.
“I don’t think the John Howard Bar would be as much fun”, one of my friends commented.
We had just spent the late morning/early afternoon at Sydney Park where the annual Kate Bush Day had been held. And when I say, “annual”, it’s the first time they’ve held one in a couple of years, due to COVID.
An estimated 300 women (and men) dressed up in the red outfit Kate Bush famously wore in the video clip for “Wuthering Heights”. This happened in Sydney and lots of other places around the world.
Warm-ups for Wuthering Heights Day
Though not dressed up ourselves, we thought it was a wonderful experience. “It’s such a moment of pure joy” we all agreed to watch a bunch of people in a park just opening themselves up to such a gorgeous activity.
Wuthering Heights Day at Sydney Park
Kate Bush is back on the charts with “Running Up That Hill”, and it’s great to see a new generation discovering her music. When the organisers asked who of those attending knew the dance, almost everyone said they didn’t know the dance.
To help, the lyrics to “Wuthering Heights” were chalked up on the footpath.
There were, of course, a few who did, and in our group of friends, we joked about women of a “certain age” being the core of Kate’s fan base. As men and women of a “certain age” ourselves, we decided it was okay to joke the organisers might need to have some emergency HRT on the sidelines :):)
The pub across the road from Sydney Park had a special cocktail for the day.
And then on Thursday night, I took another trip back to the 80s by attending the Neighbours finale at the Dendy Cinema in Newtown.
The finale was a homage to the Neighbours of the 80s and 90s, with actors like Guy Pearce, Jason and Kylie all returning. Noticeable, Kylie hardly said a word, whereas Guy played an important role. Spin off?
Despite the 80s/90s homage, there was also a hat-tip to the more contemporary view of the show. These days, Neighbours has a number of people of colour, a trans actor, same-sex couples etc. https://thelimbshift.com/2021/09/gaybours/
It was only on a whim to go to see the finale at the movies. I went on the Dendy website to renew my membership and saw it advertised.
I get the feeling it must have been organised by or had a lot of people attending from a Neighbours fan club, as there was a trivia with some tough questions. There was also free popcorn, ice creams and bottled water. Bargain. But, with a more contemporary vibe, you could also take alcohol into the screening. That helped!
Though it wasn’t planned that way, the last few days have turned into a bit of a trip down memory lane.
As my friend commented over our beers at the Bob Hawke Brewery, “things were simpler then, not better, not worse, but simpler”.
It’s Friday night and let me apologise, first of all, for the boring title for this entry. It’s just that life’s a bit boring at the moment and I don’t really have much to report. Or do I?
On the social front, Graeme and I went out for a drink last Sunday night. What I initially insisted was going to be an early night, actually turned into quite a late night. We had an absolute hoot of a time visiting three pubs in total. At the last pub, in particular, “we just couldn’t leave”, as I also ran into a work colleague and we noticed that everyone in the pub was in a great, friendly move, so we chatted with quite a few people. I love those Sunday night’s out on the town. They remind me of my younger university days in Brisbane when a Sunday night on the town made Monday that much easier.
And on Thursday night, I had a drink with a colleague who is heading off to Perth and Kalgoorlie next week. She said, “Oh come on… come to Perth”. Awfully tempting, but a lot happening here. Work is extremely busy for me. Looking forward to a holiday if I ever get the time. I’d dearly love to go home to Lismore soon.
Aside from that it’s work, work, work. Mind you, my thoughts have turned to holidays. Earlier tonight I was reminded of my time in the Northern Territory. These great photographs really brought back some memories. Oh holiday, here I come.
To relax, I’m enjoying a bit of television at the moment, including the terrific BBC series, Spooks which I watched earlier tonight. The show stars a terrific actor, Matthew MacFadyen who I last saw in the brilliant NZ film, In My Father’s Den, as well as another favourite actor, Rupert Penry Jones. Tonight’s episode was especially good. So Friday night it’s “Spooks” and on Saturday night it’s “The Bill”, although I do wish Jim Carver would hurry up and kill himself, or whatever he’s going to do. I remember getting annoyed with his alcoholism scenario which dragged on too long, as is the gambling scenario now.
Also this week, I watched Julian McMahon on “This Is Your Life”. How quickly he has lost his Australian accent! I also noticed last week on Letterman that he’d forgotten when his father was Australian PM – he said it was 71 to 74 – and didn’t know the circumstances of how he’d become Prime Minister… “he replaced the PM who drowned” (no he didn’t). How quickly they forget.
And another thing… I can’t believe that Lleyton Hewitt and Bec Cartwright are being described as Australia’s answer to Posh and Becks.
As I came in and out of my apartment block a few times today I kept an eye on the pile of “White Pages” on the door-step. Would anyone actually collect them?
For at least the last five years, I’ve noticed almost no-one from my block bothers to pick them up. The pile remains there, mostly untouched, until it disappears a few weeks later. I’ve noticed the slim-down Easter Suburbs version is often picked up, but the larger versions of White and Yellow pages, are almost never taken.
It was a day of “chores” for me. I needed to replace some washers in the shower, and I needed a new cable for my computer. So I was in and out of the building a few times today. I also had a few other minor chores to worry about. At the end of the day, having completed these chores, I felt quite satisfied.
Don’t ask me what else happened today… as there’s nothing else to report.
On ANZAC Day, this is Tony Albert’s powerful memorial in Sydney’s Hyde Park “YININMADYEMI Thou didst let fall”.
YININMADYEMI Thou didst let fall is a significant new artwork by Aboriginal artist Tony Albert to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who served in the nation’s military.
The artwork is composed of four standing bullets and three fallen shells. The bullet is a universal signifier for conflict. The arrangement of the bullets, with some standing and some fallen, represents those who survived and those who were sacrificed.
The artwork also references the circumstances faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women when they returned to Australia. They were treated differently from their white Australian comrades who were given land for their service while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were still having their land taken away.
Hyde Park South has been chosen as the location for the artwork due to its status and historical significance. The site was once a ritual contest ground, a crossroads for traditional walking trails, and an important site for ceremony, gathering and camping. It is also home to the ANZAC Memorial.
The artwork has the support of the Returned and Services League (NSW Branch) and the NSW Centenary of Anzac Advisory Council.
The City acknowledges the continuing work of the Coloured Diggers, the Babana Aboriginal Men’s Group and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association, and supports the Coloured Diggers march and commemorations.
ARTIST
Sydney-based Aboriginal Girramay artist Tony Albert’s family has over 80 years combined military service. The concept for the artwork comes from the artist, whose vision draws on the experiences of his family’s service in the Australian military.
Tony Albert is working with Cracknell & Lonergan Architects who are assisting in the delivery of the artwork. Dr Anita Heiss, author of Life in Gadigal Country, is also working with the artist to write an inscription honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and women that will be engraved on the base of one of the fallen bullets.
Tony Albert and the City of Sydney also acknowledge Trisha Albert, author of Unsung Heroes for her initial research on the story of Tony’s grandfather Eddie Albert. Eddie enlisted and served in the Australian Army during WWII, and it is his story upon which Tony’s concept for the artwork is based.
Though I watched briefly the NYE 9pm fireworks (and listened on the radio to an audio description the ABC did for the first time for people with a visual disability), I missed the NYE midnight fireworks. Slept. But I woke at 5am on NYD. So I guess that means, officially, I am old.
Highllights of 2017 so far? I received some lovely photographs from Karran who spent NYE watching the fireworks at Lismore Showground, and woke to the sunrise at Evan’s Head for NYD.
For the second time, I tried the new Japanese in Surry Hills, but have concluded I won’t go back. The first time I went there I was a little disappointed. It didn’t seem that fresh to me. But then I saw lots of people crowding the restaurant on NYD, so I thought I’d try it again tonight. Again, I was disappointed for the same reason. I won’t give it a third try. I also ate at my new favourite dumpling restaurant, Bei Jing Dumpling on Crown Street. I will go back there.
I’ve added a couple of Sydney people to my secret Facebook account which operates on the “no family, no work, no Sydney” rules of engagement.
I’ve watched “Monica Z” again (a terrific film) and four episodes of “The Crown” on Netflix.
That’s about it for 2017 so far. Not too much to report. Back to work tomorrow. NY resolution? I’ve blocked out lunch in my diary every day.
I came home, hit the couch and fell asleep. Little to report from Monday.
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3 Comments
Hey James, have Mikey stop by his old apartment in Portland, Oregon & grab his skis on the way back to his desert hideaway. Mt. Hood’s ski areas got another 2 ft of snow this weekend with another foot and more coming in the next 3 days. All excellent powder! ;-))
He’ll know exactly where to go. Hope you’re all staying cool down there.
Great photos. It’s nice to see Mikey join the Sydney crew for a couple of nights at the pubs. It makes me very nostalgic for the times I was able to join the group on my Aussie Adventures. I can’t wait for the next chance I get to come back to the land of Oz.
Hey James, have Mikey stop by his old apartment in Portland, Oregon & grab his skis on the way back to his desert hideaway. Mt. Hood’s ski areas got another 2 ft of snow this weekend with another foot and more coming in the next 3 days. All excellent powder! ;-))
He’ll know exactly where to go. Hope you’re all staying cool down there.
Freddie
Hey James,
Great photos. It’s nice to see Mikey join the Sydney crew for a couple of nights at the pubs. It makes me very nostalgic for the times I was able to join the group on my Aussie Adventures. I can’t wait for the next chance I get to come back to the land of Oz.
Ryan
brilliant! we are all so HOT!!!