For a bunch of reasons, there aren’t too many “gay bars” any-more. It doesn’t worry me too much, though a friend bemoans the lack of a “traditional” neighbourhood bar, where you can go and have a drink, have a chat, meet some nice blokes, and maybe “catch up”. Or at least that’s the case in most cities around the world it seems. I’m curious to see if that will be the case in Tokyo (which I’ll be visiting in July) which boasts 300 neighbourhood gay bars in a small area. Even though they’ve pretty much disappeared for the most part in Australia, Melbourne still has one, it seems: DT’s. Amusingly enough, the most friendly people in the bar were actually a group of guys from Sydney (two of whom live metres away from me) who befriended me on a Melbourne cold, winter’s night.
Many shops these days seem to be missing a simple but essential amenity in their changing rooms: chairs.
While this might seem like a minor inconvenience to some, it poses a significant challenge for many shoppers, including older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone who needs to sit down while trying on clothes. Like me!
When I put on pants, I generally need to remove my prosthetic leg. I take off the prosthetic (with attached shoe), pull on the pants, and then put my prosthetic leg back on. Quite often, I don’t need to do that while wearing shorts, but I definitely need to do that while wearing long pants. And that’s why a chair is preferable to hopping around on one leg.
I noticed this “lack of chairs” again today when I called in to my local Vinnies. I was only trying on shirts today, so it wasn’t so much of an issue. But a few months ago at the same store, I wanted to try on pants. And there were no chairs to be found, so one of the assistants had to go and find one out the back. I mentioned this to the guy at the shop and he said he would pass it on to the manager.
In the last few months I can recall a few occasions where I’ve needed to ask for a chair, and the shop assistant has had to go out the back. On one occasion, they didn’t actually have a chair out the back, and had to go to a neighbouring shop to borrow one.
I’m not sure why this change towards a more minimalist look has occurred, or maybe I just haven’t noticed it before this?
I also need to sit down when I go to the swimming pool and need to change in and out of my boardies.
Beyond accessibility, providing seating in changing rooms simply makes good business sense. It allows customers to take their time, try on clothes comfortably, and ultimately make more informed purchasing decisions. A chair can be a small but powerful tool in creating a positive and inclusive shopping experience for everyone.
It’s a small change that can make a big difference in creating a welcoming and accessible environment for everyone.
Post Script
I shared this post with some friends on Facebook, some of whom are amputees, but most of whom are not, and there was a strong response. This is a summary of the responses.
Key points:
Amputees need to sit down to try on pants: This is especially true for above-knee amputees, and even below-knee amputees often find it easier.
Many stores lack seating in changing rooms: This forces amputees to find workarounds, shop online, or give up on trying clothes on altogether.
This is seen as discrimination: Commenters feel that stores should provide seating as a basic accommodation for people with disabilities.
Lack of awareness: Many people don’t realize this is an issue, including shop designers and staff.
Wider problem of inadequate seating: The lack of seating in public spaces is a problem for many people, including the elderly and those with other mobility issues.
Proposed solutions:
Provide seating in changing rooms: This is seen as the most straightforward solution.
Shop online: This is a convenient option for many, but doesn’t allow for trying things on before purchasing.
Bring your own chair: One commenter jokingly suggests bringing a folding camping chair.
Once again I’ve decided my Swedish is better when I’ve had a drink or two, or three or four.
I first discovered this a few years ago at a bar in Stockholm. I was chatting in English with a couple of Swedish guys, and when the topic got around to learning the Swedish language, I discovered my Swedish was far better after a few drinks. We enjoyed a reasonably fluent discussion after the third or fourth beer, as I recall.
The notion was further re-inforced when, after a boozy night in Stockholm, I happened upon a taxi driver who was taking me “the long way home”. I knew exactly where I wanted to go and how to get there, but I guess he assumed I was some dumb tourist from Australia, and so took a left turn when he should have taken a right, which would have resulted in a significantly higher fare. I was able to challenge him, negotiate the “right way home” and ensure he stopped the meter early to compensate.
Deep down, I think the “speaks better when I’ve been drinking” scenario is because when you’re feeling less inhibited due to alcohol, you’re also feeling less self-conscious about your failings, in terms of vocabulary, fluency and that “weird accent”. In short, it becomes more instinctive, and less “thought out”.
The “speaks better when he’s been drinking” scenario happened again the other night. I was walking home (and I’d had a drink or two) and surprisingly crossed paths with a couple of young women speaking Swedish. Our conversation, though brief, was almost fluent, even though I haven’t been to Swedish classes for most of the year, and I’m feeling a bit rusty.
This year has been quite busy work-wise, and I haven’t had much in the way of motivation to go to Swedish class at 8.00pm on a Wednesday night. Put simply, I’m far too tired by the time Wednesday night comes around. I’ll possibly return to Swedish class next year. Or maybe I’ll just keep drinking? :)
Having enjoyed a really yummy meal at Porteño a few months ago, I’ve attempted to go back twice since.
With a friend who I thought would really enjoy it, we headed down to line up a few weeks ago, only to discover it was closed due to a fire. Noticing the other day it had re-opened I suggested to a friend we should try again. Significantly, they don’t take bookings, and so you need to line up at 6 pm and “join the queue”. Thinking the heavy rain would force most people to stay at home, we headed down there at about 7pm. Walking in absolutely soaked, the waiter was very nice but told us the earliest they could squeeze us in would be 10 pm. Our strategy for next time is that I’ll head down, join the queue, and call my friend.
So I suggested we try Pork’d, a new venue which has opened in what was Red Lantern on Crown Street, Surry Hills.
Pork’d on Crown Street, Surry Hills
The idea around Pork’d, as you’ll see from the plate is a bain-marie full of all different types of pork. They also have a nice range of craft beers and wine. We thought the meal was okay, though not exceptional.
Pork’d on Crown Street, Surry Hills
It was more like a bar, a pub beer garden, than a restaurant. It was definitely a young person’s vibey place, though where we sat (in a corridor) it was still possible to have a good conversation without needing to scream at each other to be heard. We thought it was okay.
We had a yummy dessert over the road at Franco Franco. It was also pretty full, though they were able to squeeze us in for dessert only. Yummy.
Who would have thought restaurants in Surry Hills would be so busy when the weather was so crap?
I have been dealing today with a government agency requiring photo ID for an older family member, impacted by the disaster in Lismore. He’s now too old for a driver’s licence and has never been overseas, so he has no passport. To get a replacement birth certificate, he requires a photo id. To get a photo id, he requires a birth certificate. Yes Minister.
I have explained to them he lost EVERYTHING in the flood. There’s NOTHING left. It’s now up to the manager to decide if they can accept the application without a photo ID.
Should I explain this is the only photo ID we have?
There have been a few moments of frustration over the last few weeks, dealing with bureaucracy in both the public and private sectors.
Memorably, I have spoken with a couple of agencies who told me I should “go into their branch in Lismore”. “But you have no branch in Lismore”, I’ve told them. “Apparently we’ve set up a temporary branch” they’ve told me, on checking the computer. “No, that was washed away in the second flood”, I’ve replied.
Others have been awesome. For example, I spoke yesterday with someone from Lismore City Council about getting a copy of a rates notice, also washed away in the flood. We need this to apply for some government support. The person on the phone was wonderful and provided some advice about how we might need to deal with things in the future.
Lismore floods have taught me power of attorney is one thing, but also important is to be able to speak on behalf of older family members before that’s required. This is especially the case with technology-based companies like phones/internet, where it’s ASSUMED everyone has everything online and doesn’t still live in a world of paper.
Despite these setbacks, there have been some moments of joy.
I LOVE some recently unearthed photographs of Gloria from the early-mid 60s. Likely before/around the time I was born. South Lismore.
Gloria washing her feet in the tubs at 21 Kyogle Street. A packet of Rinso is nearby. Can you still buy Rinso?
And it was awesome to see today this has won the Archibald Prize. Lismore artist, Karla Dickens, as painted by Blak Douglas. Both are wonderful artists, and great to see Lismore getting a mention again. Friends commented (dark humour) that the flood waters were much deeper
I just saw Adam/Blak on ABC TV, and he said the leaking buckets were about artists losing income to galleries, curators etc.
Who needs an Australian entry in Eurovision, when we might already have one?
There’s a lot of excitement today in Australia about our confirmed “wild card” entry in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
I actually seriously think much of Europe would vote for Australia out of “sympathy”/”admiration”/”a sense of fun”, and with the large number of expats in Europe (about 1-million), I genuinely think next year’s contest could be held at the Sydney Opera House.
But of course Australia already has an entry (of sorts), participating in Eurovision in the forthcoming fourth heat of Melodifestivalen with the band JTR. They’re up against a lot of competition, but you never know. And if they miss out, they could be the Australian entry. :) Well, the flights would be cheaper from Stockholm than Sydney.
The article below explains they lived in Australia from 2006, because that’s where their step-father comes from. Brissie, to be precise. But they moved back recently.
This item shows at least one of them has picked up an Australian accent, at least
TR är gruppen som slagit igenom stort i Australien. Nu är de redo att ta över Sverige – och Melodifestivalscenen.
JTR består av tre bröder från Alingsås som slog igenom i X-Factor Australien 2013. De slutade på en sjundeplats i tävlingen och slog igenom stort i Australien där tävlingen följdes upp av radioturnéer, albumlansering, miniturné och showcases.
På hemmaplan såg man bland annat killarna i Lotta på Liseberg i somras då de framförde singeln ”Ride”. De var även förband åt The Fooo Conspiracy vid deras show Vertigo i Stockholm och Göteborg. JTR’s första album hette ”Touchdown”.
Trots framgångarna utomlands, ser killarna Sverige och Alingsås som sitt hem. Sedan 2006 har de bott periodvis i Australien eftersom deras styvpappa kommer därifrån.
I got “back on the tools” today as a working journalist (not a manager), contributing a radio and text story to the team from ABC Riverina (Wagga Wagga), where I used to work many, many years ago as the Mornings Presenter.
Even though it’s been a few decades since I lived in Wagga, I maintain friendship and professional relationships with the town. And today, it was great to reconnect with some familiar faces.
I was asked to attend an art exhibition opening at the NSW Parliament by Sally Bryant, who presents Breakfast on ABC Riverina, as she is genuinely impressed by the artists work. So was I!
Here’s the radio story I put together.
And here’s a brief text story I have also offered to the team for local publication.
Juanita McLachlin
“Standing at the heart of seven generations”
“It’s about leaving enough information, knowledge and resources for the future generations” says Juanita McLauchlan, a Gamilaraay artist living on Wiradjuri country in Wagga Wagga, whose exhibition “Standing at the heart of seven generations” is currently on display at the NSW Parliament in Sydney.
This exhibition serves as a poignant narrative of her familial and ancestral ties, with a particular emphasis on personal artifacts and adornments. It delves into the ethos of many Indigenous communities, notably the Seventh Generation philosophy, which emphasizes the enduring impact of our present actions on future generations and the Earth itself.
With nearly three decades of experience as a printmaker, Juanita McLauchlan’s artistic repertoire has expanded to encompass a diverse array of mediums, including blankets and fabrics.
Each piece, like one which portrays the Southern Cross, represents a convergence of her European and Indigenous heritage, grounding her sense of identity and place.
Her exhibition showcases a blend of materials, incorporating animal skins such as possum fur and native plants like wattle and various gum trees. These elements, sourced from the Wagga region, evoke a rich tapestry of colors and textures, symbolizing the interconnectedness of culture and environment.
A proud group of people from Wagga Wagga, attending the exhibition opening.
Some of these works have been previously displayed in Wagga Wagga, but are now finding a new audience at Sydney’s NSW Parliament House Gallery, thanks to the support of a variety organizations and individuals, including Dr Joe McGirr MP: Member for Wagga Wagga
Dr. McGirr reflects on the significance of hosting such exhibitions within the parliamentary setting, noting its role in confronting Australia’s colonial history and sparking meaningful dialogue. He commends Juanita McLauchlan’s work for its ability to inspire hope while addressing uncomfortable truths.
This beautiful thought-provoking exhibition is at the NSW Parliament Gallery on Macquarie Street, Sydney, until April 29th.
At the conclusion of the exhibition and our radio interview, Juanita presented me with a beautiful piece, made from wool and possum fur.
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DTs must be the last bar in Melbourne of its kind. While we no longer go to bars in Melbourne, I rather like the friendliness of Sydney bars,as we experienced earlier this year.
DTs must be the last bar in Melbourne of its kind. While we no longer go to bars in Melbourne, I rather like the friendliness of Sydney bars,as we experienced earlier this year.