Pub Night
We had our usual Wednesday night at the pub. Nothing much to report.
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Snö, Snö, Snö
Realising I hadn’t really ventured far from the centre of Stockholm on this trip, I ventured a little further out of the city today, to the Enskededalen district in the south. It was amazing how quickly the snow-free streets of central Stockholm gave way to an area where snow and ice were very much still on the ground, often several feet deep.
I was interested in going back to a place I’d first visited in 2008, called Skogskyrkogården. It’s a world heritage listed woodland cemetery. In the summer when I visited, I thought it was physically beautiful and peaceful. Today, I discovered in the winter it’s equally so, though of course much different when everything is covered in snow.
As the tour guide in 2008 explained, Skogskyrkogården (as a woodland cemetery) is…
…one of the few in the world. The integrity of the landscape has been maintained with few modifications, and by ensuring minor details are in keeping with the major vision. He also explained how the cemetery was designed with increasing secularism in mind, and with a trend away from burials towards cremation. Ninety percent of Swedes are now cremated, we were told. As part of the tour we also got to go inside a number of chapels. “This is very popular with Catholics” our guide said at one point. He didn’t have to tell me , though, as I knew that even before he said it, as it was the only one which was traditionally Christian in any sense. Most of the chapels were entirely functional. And where there was art work, the imagery was fairly general, open to a lot of individual interpretation.
Going back today, I was keen to see the woodland environment covered in snow.
I was surprised by how many people were wandering around today. Many, of course, were there for funerals and to visit the graves of family and friends. At one point I saw a hearse turning up, and a coffin being removed from the back, and my first thought was “how are they going to do a grave with all of the snow around”? I’m sure there’s a way.
Having spent almost all my life in Australia, and mostly in fairly warm climates, there’s still something magical about snow for me. Last night there were some flurries. This morning a car outside still had some snow on the rooftop. Even this morning, there were some light flurries. I’m pretty sure it drives Swedes up the wall, but for me, visiting Sweden at this time of the year, it’s very exciting to see snow, and to walk through it, as I did today at the Woodland Cemetery.
Otherwise, it was a quiet day, going out for a bite to eat for lunch, and then spending the afternoon finalising my presentation for the Radio Days Europe Conference next week in Berlin.
Year in Review 2010
As I sit down on New Years Eve to think about what’s happened in my life this year, there’s so much to reflect upon: overseas trips, new adventures at work, and the death of a close family member.
I ended last year feeling 2009 had been a year of treading water: I hadn’t really done all that much exciting in either my personal or professional life.
I began 2010 with a renewed sense of anticipation: in March I was returning to Sweden in significantly different circumstances to the last time in 2008. and I was to be on a panel at the Radio Days Conference in Copenhagen.
After my trip there in the summer two years ago, I was keen to go back and experience Sweden at a different time of the year. “Could I cope with the long, dark cold winter months?”, I asked myself. Probably not is the answer, but I gave the end of winter/the start of spring a try by visiting Sweden during March. When I arrived it was snowing and the waterways around Stockholm were frozen over. I went out on a ice-breaker and walked on ice for the first time in my life, nearly escaping plunging to my death by walking too close to the edge of a wharf. It would have been a dramatic way to go, though, wouldn’t it?
As well as experiencing the delights of a Swedish spring, I also went to Melodifestivalen, the Swedish finals for Eurovision, attended quite a few pop concerts, met some interesting people, and generally had a fine holiday.
I was also lucky enough to be invited to be a panelist at the Radio Days Europe Conference held in March in Copenhagen, and got to meet some people working in similar jobs in different parts of the world.
My second overseas trip this year was to China. My friend Kate has been living there on and off for a few years, and I’ve been thinking of going for a while. As she had an exhibition opening in November, I asked when she had a window of opportunity and grabbed it. I loved Beijing. Seriously the best food I’ve ever eaten consistently on any holiday ever. And there was a lot to see and do, includng all of the obvious tourist spots. It was great to hang out with Kate and with some of the artists she was looking after while there. A return trip to China? Yes possibly.
My last trip was very much a backpacker’s adventure, whereas this was a more grown up holiday experience. Deep in the back of my mind throughout was the question about whether or not I’d like to live in Sweden for a while, or whether this was a short-term obsession that would pass with time. I’ve concluded the answer is yes, I’d like to live there, and have 2012 as the ball-park year I’d like to do it, though that may go back a little depending on what happens with work.
My second overseas trip this year was to China. My friend Kate has been living there on and off for a few years, and I’ve been thinking of going for a while. As she had an exhibition opening in November, I asked when she had a window of opportunity and grabbed it. I loved Beijing.
Seriously the best food I’ve ever eaten consistently on any holiday ever. And there was a lot to see and do, including all of the obvious tourist spots. It was great to hang out with Kate and with some of the artists she was looking after while there. A return trip to China? Yes possibly.
On the professional front, I enjoyed the challenges of a new “acting” position throughout most of the year looking after nationally networked content on ABC Radio. And then towards the end of the year, “acting” in the role of Network Development Manager which looks after a range of special event programming and other associated “development” work. Many aspects of the job are pretty sexy, and I loved acting in the role, and then securing it in the days before Christmas.
On the personal front, I went on a couple of dates this year, though nothing long-term came from either. I’ve yet to come to grips with how I feel about the idea of a relationship. Sometimes I feel like it would be nice to have someone there in a different way to close friends. Other times I feel like it may be all too much, and that deep down I know that I’m probably still too selfish to share my life with someone else and vice versa. I’m also reminded of advice several years ago which was “don’t leave it to late”.
Sadness struck our family this year with the death of Gloria, who plays a special role in my life. After several years suffering with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s she died in June this year. In many ways her passing was a relief as she had been in a lot of pain for quite some time. Her death has affected her immediate family of Sharon and John deeply, as they had also lost son, John, three years ago. On the positive side, I’m hoping it’s lead to a renewed closeness between all of us.
I spent the last ten days of the year at home with my family in Lismore. Usually I just come home for a few days and then head back to Sydney, but I think I got the mix right this year. I was allowed to work from the office in Lismore which meant I could spend daytime at work, but night-time and weekend with my family which made for a very happy combination for all of us.
This time last year I felt as though I’d spent the year “treading water”. A year later, I feel like I’m happier, healthier (I’ve also lost weight this year), and generally feeling quite good about myself and my life.
Looking ahead to 2011, there’s a lot to anticipate. I have a new job, and hopefully the capacity to do some interesting work. Our art group, Hawkesbury One, winds up with an exhibition at the Newcastle Regional Gallery. And although I have no firm travel plans for the year, I’m sure something will eventuate. But overall, looking ahead to 2011, I’m feeling pretty good about life.
Digital Radio Day in Sydney
I’m not one for early mornings these days. By nature, I’m a night-owl, as that’s when I find myself my most intellectually active. However. for years and years, working in radio, I needed to be up early, usually by about five or five-thirty am. The transition in the last few years to more “normal hours” has been a welcome change, as I generally now wake up about 7. Sometimes earlier. Sometimes later.
This morning, however, I needed to be up early again, and to be on radio, briefly at 6.40. I was due to chat with Adam Spencer on the third anniversary of digital radio in Australia. My key message was something along these lines… Three years ago very few people had digital radios, they were quite expensive, and they weren’t very mobile. Three years later, about 1.2-1.3 million people listen via digital, they’re generally very affordable, and they’re now becoming available in cars. Three years later there are many more stations available, including some new ABC stations and community radio. Three years later, streaming, including mobile, is now a more viable option for listeners, but data plans, and the lack of ubiquitous wifi means makes it still difficult for many. So the bottom line is analogue (AM/FM), digital, streaming can all work together to serve radio audiences. It doesn’t have to be “one or the other”, as many critics, writers and pundits have suggested.
Despite the early morning, it was a good experience, and it was fun to go along to see so many other people enjoying radio. The star turnout had to be SBS Pop Asia, with their inspired decision to have a visiting pop group. Lots and lots of people turned up, and hopefully will be new listeners for them. Congrats to the peeps at SBS for totally nailing it.
Night Out in Surry Hills
“Shall we have another glass of wine?”, said one of my friends, to which they other replied, “Did you say ‘bottle’?”
Look, in the grand scheme of things, when you have three people all having a glass of wine it makes economic sense to buy a bottle instead, right?
It’s a bottle of wine I personally argued against, and which I declared “loud and proud”, I’ll only be having a small amount. And besides, we had already had a glass or two before hand. It was a night out with “the girls” that began at a small bar and ended at a bigger one.
We started off the night at the previously named “Solas” in Surry Hills, which neither of my friends could find at first because they’ve re-named it, with a dirty martini which was very tasty. It seems my life-long aversion to olives has been overcome, as now I consume them happily in both food and drinks.
The night progressed across the road to “Cafe Sicilia” which I’ve described here previously as having great food and attentive, attractive waiters. We enjoyed the olives there too. The food and service were, once again, very good, and I think it’s a place I’ll keep coming back to.
We finished the night at “The Clock” and that’s where the aforementioned last, debated bottle of wine was consumed. A great night was had by all, but I think we should have avoided that last glass, er bottle of wine we ordered.