Sydney loves a trend. For the last couple of years, trends have included: queues for bread, beards, and small bars.
The latest is ice cream/gelato. Yes, it’s true, people are lining up for ice cream. I think it all started with Messina in Darlinghurst. There’s also an ice cream shop in Surry Hills where people regularly queue.
The queues haven’t yet extended to the new shop, Stix, further along Crown Street.
It’s gelato on a stick!
I thought I’d share what they’re offering. It’s always nice to be ahead of the trend :)
I have family visiting from Lismore, and today, I was granted a “day pass” from the hospital to spend a few hours with them, heading into the city. Besides enjoying their company, I was eager for a much-needed haircut and a break from “hospital food.”
To prepare for the outing, I spent a significant amount of time last night scouring Google Maps, particularly the “Street View” feature. Being able to see both exterior and interior photos of various places greatly helped the decision-making process, now that I am currently using a wheelchair.
Locating a wheelchair-accessible hairdresser or barber near St. Vincent’s Hospital was quite challenging: either they had a step or two to get over (and my wheelchair skills aren’t quite paralympic), or they were too expensive. After thorough research, I settled on Oxford Barber, on Crown Street (near the corner of Oxford Street).
“You’re the only place I could find with easy wheelchair access”, I told the barber. He mentioned that he had three regular clients in wheelchairs, so it didn’t phase him. “Do you want to stay in the wheelchair or get into the barber’s chair”? he asked. When I said we should try for the barber’s chair, he knew the drill. Smooth as. I’ll definitely return.
Oxford Barber, Crown Street, Darlinghurst
Not far from there, we had lunch at “The Riley” (formerly known as “The Brighton”). Clear wheelchair symbols are displayed outside. Access involved passing through the poker machine room and entering the bar through an automatic sliding door. Inside, the tables were initially set high, but the bar staff promptly provided a lower table for us. I’ve dined there a few times previously and have always relished the food. Today, I opted for a steak. And yep, I’ll be back based on today’s experience.
Our interactions with a bus driver were less than positive. As I signaled for the driver to deploy the wheelchair ramp, I noticed him mouth the words “oh, fuck.” Then when I told him our desired destination, only a few stops up the road he responded with, “You do know that other buses travel in that direction, right?” As my focus was primarily on safely boarding the bus, I let it go. However, Michelle and Karran were understandably irritated. Although he did assist with the wheelchair, his attitude left something to be desired. While I refrained from reporting the incident, perhaps I should have?
Navigating the city proved to be relatively smooth, allowing us to easily access shops like ALDI, OfficeWorks, H&M, and Sapporo. On Facebook, I joked that Michelle and Karran had “taken me hostage” as they explored makeup and cosmetics at Sephora. But I came into my own at H&M. Even though I possess an abundance of clothing at home, I indulged myself with a new polo shirt, shorts, and underwear.
I recognize that my perspective may seem naive, particularly to those who have lived with mobility challenges for a more extended period. I’m still relatively new to this experience. I’m gradually comprehending the extent of research and planning that people in wheelchairs often need to undertake.
Throughout our city excursion today, my attention was drawn to fellow wheelchair users, leading me to ponder how they manage their daily lives.
It has been seven weeks since I was admitted to the hospital. Sharing my first public outing with cherished family members, who have provided unwavering support both physically and emotionally over the past couple of months, was an absolute delight.
I started the evening catching up at The Art House Hotel with Edward who I met last year in Stockholm.
It was a funny meeting in lots of ways.
We met sharing a room at a hostel in Stockholm.
At first, I thought he could have been from anywhere, as he has a physical Asian appearance.
We soon established, however, that, although by Korean by birth, he had lived in Australia for most of his life, since arriving at about the age of fourteen.
We quickly bonded and enjoyed a few days together, enjoying Stockholm.
We also bonded on the basis that we had both found ourselves a little exhausted from our jobs, and had decided to take extended leave to re-establish a greater degree of work-life balance. He’s late 30s, by the way.
Since arriving back from our holidays, we’ve had a beer together, and we caught up again to chat about life the universe and everything. He’s a nice bloke, I like him very much, and I hope we’ll stay in touch.
From there, I called in for a quick catch-up with Graeme who had texted me earlier asking if I was keen to have a drink.
And then I went to Louisa’s Eurovision Semi-Final Party which was fun.
And then I returned to catch up with Graeme who was still out and about having a drink with some mates.
So, by this stage, you might imagine it’s getting late. And it certainly was.
Apparently I look “completely hot” in a suit according to some English bloke I got chatting to.
Nothing else to say or report except “Happy Birthday Sue”.
For the three decades I’ve lived in this area, my local shopping centre in Surry Hills was affectionately, or perhaps ironically, known as the “Murder Mall.” I, however, preferred to call it the “Methadone Mall.”
But as gentrification swept through the neighborhood, so too did an upscale makeover for our mall. Now, it boasts a Harris Farm, new upmarket restaurants, and a massive Coles, shedding its old, grungier vibe.
I found myself heading back there for lunch today with former colleagues, a cherished annual tradition. Our destination was Olympus, a Greek restaurant that has generated considerable buzz over the past year. Everyone I’d spoken to raved about it, so I suggested it for our special catch-up.
As we settled in, the conversation naturally turned to our lives, our careers, and, hilariously, our impending or recently passed 60th birthdays. I playfully asked, “So, what pills are we all on?” This led to a lighthearted, yet surprisingly bonding, discussion about our current medications. Even our fittest friend, we discovered, is now on a few prescriptions! It was a lovely, relatable moment with colleagues I’d worked very closely with for years.
Olympus certainly lived up to its hype. The space itself is striking, designed to accommodate 240 people without feeling crowded. Unlike many modern restaurants that cram in too many tables, Olympus offers ample room, allowing for easy conversation without needing to shout. A truly unique feature is the large tree in the center of the dining area and an overhead opening window. While it was closed due to winter, this million-dollar window, as our waiter informed us, floods the space with natural light, making it easy to read menus – a welcome change from dimly lit establishments.
Olympus in Surry Hills. Pic by Jeremy
We sampled several dishes, all excellent. Here are a few of them.
Prawns at Olympus, Surry HillsTrout at Olympus, Surry HillsLamb at Olympus, Surry Hills.
It was a genuinely great meal, and surprisingly affordable given the quality. Only two of us opted for a glass of wine each, so the bill wasn’t astronomical – a far cry from the indulgent, office-ditching lunches of the 80s! But it’s also not a cheap meal, either. I’d highly recommend Olympus, though be prepared for a higher-end experience if you choose to truly indulge.
Beyond the Mall: Bingo, ABBA, and Back to Reality
Also this week, I enjoyed a different kind of outing, attending “Bingay” at the Beresford Hotel.” This fun event was a fundraiser for the AIDS Council of New South Wales, set to a fantastic ABBA soundtrack. One of the drag kings even channeled an ABBA member in their costume, adding to the entertainment. It was a joy to reconnect with friends who’d attended previous events and meet new people, making for a truly enjoyable evening.
Wearing my “ABBA – The Album” shirt at Bingay!
Aside from these outings, it’s been a week of settling back into work and life in Sydney after my break in Lismore. I had a funny moment this morning when a colleague asked about my weekend plans, and I realized I couldn’t instantly answer. I’m back to that stage where plans get added to the diary and sometimes completely forgotten until they’re upon me! Such is life right now.
Lismore’s “Back Alley Gallery” has transformed a once dormant space into a beloved Lismore landmark. This vibrant outdoor gallery showcases an eclectic collection of street art, adding a unique charm to our city.
I’ve previously shared photos and videos of the gallery on this site.
But today I’m inviting you to hop on board my sister’s mobility scooter (which I frequently borrow) as we explore this revitalized space.
Despite suffering significant damage during the 2022 flood, the Back Alley Gallery has bounced back stronger than ever thanks to the dedication of many.
After a month of travelling back and forward between Sydney and Canberra (for work), it’s terrific to be back at home. Hotel rooms are lovely, but there’s nothing like the feeling of being in your own bed and having your own “stuff” around you.
Lots of signs around Canberra in support of marriage equality
For those who do it more regularly, it must be a difficult life. There was a moment a couple of weeks ago, as I looked around the breakfast room at one of the hotels I stayed at, and I looked at all of the single men sitting by themselves having breakfast, I realised how lonely that kind of life must be. Later in the day, you would see them sitting in the bar by themselves, having a beer.
Though I really enjoyed the opportunity to work between Sydney and Canberra, and I really loved working with the team at ABC Radio Canberra, I’m kinda pleased it was only for a month.
Regrettably, I didn’t spend enough time exploring Canberra. As I was combining a couple of jobs, and never strayed much beyond work and “home”, I never made it much beyond Civic, Dickson and Braddon. Entertainment-wise, I also never strayed much beyond Bar Rochford, King O’Malley’s and Red Chilli. Though I did attend a film, as part of the Italian Film Festival, and went to the opening night of the Wharf Review, both of which were very enjoyable.
Meats at Red Chilli in Canberra
And on top of all that, as in Sweden a couple of years ago, I’ve developed a case of Cold urticaria due to the combination of colder temperatures and 24×7 exposure (at work and in the accommodation I’ve been staying) to air-conditioning.
RUOK Day with the team at ABC Radio Canberra
So this weekend is hopefully a weekend of wearing shorts, getting my body a little exposed to fresh air and sunshine, and catching up with friends ahead of my next big adventure which is only two or three weeks ago. More to come.
While I maintained a composed exterior in public, today brought a few moments when I found myself unexpectedly overwhelmed by the emotions accompanying my return to work.
It’s been a span of over four months since I fell seriously ill, narrowly escaping death, enduring the amputation of my lower right leg, and being diagnosed with diabetes. Following several months spent in the hospital and rehabilitation, and more recently, recovering at home, I decided it was time to rejoin the workforce on a part-time basis, with the agreement of my doctors and colleagues.
Since my last stint at the office, a few changes have occurred. We are currently in the midst of a management restructuring process that will continue to influence my role into the next year. Additionally, my workplace has undergone some reconstruction, and I now occupy a completely new office space. Interestingly, this new office is located in a section of the building that I had contributed to rebuilding back in the mid-2000s, and it’s scheduled for refurbishment halfway through the coming year. It never ends :)
Amusingly, and perhaps co-incidentally, this photograph of my first day at school has turned up on my desk at home recently.
As I returned to the office today, I encountered a slew of unfamiliar faces. Some were individuals I had only previously met via computer screens, while others had taken on new roles. Of course, there were also those whom I had known for several years. There were warm embraces and heartfelt gratitude for the support they had offered me during the past few months, particularly the cards, messages, and visits.
Inevitably, there were also colleagues who had departed from the company, either voluntarily or due to the ongoing restructuring.
Despite the seemingly brief four-month hiatus, it felt like an eternity. I discussed the range of emotions I might experience with a colleague, who shared her own experiences of taking time off to have children. Fluctuations in one’s work life are a common occurrence, and various emotions are par for the course. However, my history with the ABC, having worked in different locations and positions since November 1989, has made it an integral part of my life. Returning today, after the tumultuous experiences and emotions of the past few months, was never going to be a straightforward endeavor.
As expected, I needed a couple of breaks today. I took five minutes to close my eyes and relax in my office in the morning, and another twenty minutes later in the afternoon. There were also a couple of occasions where I needed to take my prosthetic leg off, and at the after-work drinks I needed to sit down while my colleagues stood. Besides the physical toll that this year has taken on my body, I believe there were moments of emotional exhaustion as well.
When I arrived home, I found solace in a few hours of much-needed rest.
Group shot of friends and colleagues from ABC Pride
I’m slated to return to work again tomorrow, gradually easing back into a three-day working week until my body is prepared for full-time employment.
