We’ve had a series of warm nights in Sydney. You know? Those nights where you wake up in the middle of the night, look at your phone, and can’t possibly believe it’s 27 degrees. It was one of those nights last night, and so when I woke in the middle of the night, I hopped online for a while, chatted with an overseas friend, and found myself unable to get back to sleep. So I went for an early morning walk down to Circular Quay. Just as hot and sticky as at home, but with hardly anyone around, it was a really lovely place to look around. Gorgeous views, of course.
“That’s because it’s such a disgusting and filthy place”, was the explanation offered by an inter-state colleague on the phone today, when I mentioned there was a bit of a pollution health warning on the radio this morning.
Although I’ve previously thought it might have been the spring clean I did at home on the weekend which led to my current case of hay fever, the news has confirmed my experience is much broader.
A health alert has been issued for some Sydneysiders to avoid outdoor exercise because of high pollution levels.
The Bureau of Meteorology says today’s air quality in Sydney is poor.
Children and those with breathing difficulties, such as asthma, are particularly at risk.
Although I’m feeling much better today than I was yesterday, I still feel a bit crook.
Sydney Pollution – January 2003
“I’m a bit of a hippie when it comes to this kind of thing” has been a recurrent comment I’ve made today as colleagues have suggested various drugs to deal with hayfever. “I’d rather my body dealt with it itself”, I’ve told them, as I honestly believe the human body is quite a resilient beast. My approach, rightly or wrongly, has been lots of fluids and lots of rest, and to let my body “heal itself”.
And generally speaking, this approach works, as I’m generally a fairly healthy person. It’s ages since I’ve had any major health problem, and the last time that happened, it required surgery. That’s one case where I don’t believe in letting my body “heal itself”. “Give me major pain control and whack it out”, was my attitude then.
In contrast, a bit of a sneeze is minor. Anyway, I’m sure it will all be fine, once the pollution clears.
Aside from that though, it’s been a pretty good day, especially at work.
In the midst of it all, I also had a chat on the phone with Damien who arrives back in Sydney on Saturday. Time flies? He’s currently in Beijing and having a great time.
It’s pretty cold there, as you might imagine, in stark contrast to Sydney. As I went for a walk down the street tonight, I couldn’t help but notice how sticky and yucky it is. I’m sitting here now with the balcony door open and there’s absolutely no breeze.
Generally speaking, I love Sydney in the summer, but right now, I gotta say, it could be better.
One of the best things I’ve done this year is subscribe to the Edition Series of Sydney’s 4A Gallery. 4A is a gallery which specialises in Asian art, both art by artists from Asia, as well as artists from Australia with an Asian background. I’ve been to a far number of their exhibitions and they’re always usually very good. The works are interesting, and they’re presented well.
What has been great about the Edition Series is the random nature of it all. For a $500 annual contribution, I’ve received three random art works (with the fourth just about to arrive). I’ve had no say in the works, which has been a really appealing part of the project – the surprise element. There have been three limited editions prints, and one piece of porcelain. The works have all been very lovely, and I’m pretty confident they’re worth more than the $500 I’ve contributed. In fact, I know the Jason Wing screenprint has been selling at the price of $500 by itself.
And so it was a real pleasure to go to the 4A Members Exhibition with my friend Kate, and to see all four works on display. The other works were very interesting also, but I have a soft spot and fondness for the work of the artists I now have in my own collection.
Part of the 4A Gallery Members Exhibition
Part of the 4A Gallery Members Exhibition
Part of the 4A Gallery Edition Series
Jason Wing Double Happiness, 2011 Offset lithograph Dims 70 x 50 cm Printer, Big Fag Press
FX Harsono Per Memoriam ad Spem, 2011 Offset Lithographic Print Paper size 60 x 40 cm
Vernon Ah Kee Unwritten, 2011 Offset lithograph, 70 x 50 cm Printer, Big Fag Press
Vipoo Srivilasa Coral Jug, 2011 Southern Ice Porcelain Dims 12 x 9 x 8 cm Produced at Claystone Pottery
It’s Wednesday night and I’m just waiting for “The Simpsons” to come on television. Although I’m a little Teddie-tired and maybe a little run down, there’s lots happening in my life at the moment.
Tonight, Laura and I went to the opening of a new gallery just around the corner from my place, Lushart. LushART is an online art gallery selling art and craft depicting themes of “love” and “lust”.. Hence, the gallery was opened with a Lady Godiva character riding naked (g-string) on horseback down Surry Hills.
What a great stunt and what a pleasure to be invited. The director of the gallery is Irena Dobrijevich who used to be Director of the Lismore Regional Art Gallery and who achieved a degree of notoriety a couple of years ago. Laura and I then went for a steak at Forresters which was very nice. Both are quintessential Sydney moments.
Lady Godiva on Crown Street Surry Hills
Aside from a drink with Michaela and Laura on Monday night where I guess we all wanted to let off some steam, life over the last few days has been dominated by work, coming home and watching a bit of television. Of all the things I’ve watched, the most memorable was, without a doubt, the movie Wilde.
I turn 40 soon. Oddly enough, I’m feeling apprehensive this birthday for a number of reasons I know I shouldn’t be. I’m reasonably successful and reasonably happy, I’m reasonably well-balanced and I’m reasonably spiritually content. But there’s still a feeling of “maybe I could have done something more, something different with my life”.
So every night, when I come home from work (or an evening out), I walk up the stairs to my front door, pull out my keys, and switch on the light. This is what happens next.
Do I learn from this? Finally, yes. The first day of the rest of my life starts tomorrow.
When you see a restaurant that’s packed out on a Monday night, it either means there’s a buzz about it, or it’s simply bloody good. Both could be said about Xage.
Michaela and I went out for a meal there tonight, only vaguely aware of the restaurant’s details.
A friend had told her it was good, and even though we didn’t know what it was called or exactly where it was, we headed off there with high hopes.
Although the restaurant was full when we arrived, a brief stroll to The Dolphin to get some wine (it’s BYO), and even before we finished our beers as we waited for a call, and within a few minutes, we were back there and seated.
For the entree, we ordered rice paper rolls which were “packed full of great ingredients”.
And for mains, we had two large meals, with the pork being the stand-out dish, although both were very good.
Price? Under $50 for two.
We were both mightily impressed.
Pork and more at Xage
After dinner, we got chatting with the very friendly, warm staff. They’re currently only open at nights, though with plans to open for some lunch day sittings. “We’re planning to open for lunch for Mardi Gras weekend”, the woman who runs Xage told us.
There’s a real buzz about Xage at the moment. And deservedly so, as they’ve opened with a restaurant with great food, great service, and a great atmosphere.
“Seven thumbs?”, I suggested, echoing that line from The Simpsons where Homer becomes a food critic.
Three-time Paralympic athlete, Don Elgin, said today he couldn’t accept the conventional wisdom that amputees can’t skip (jump rope). “I don’t think I’m the first in THE WORLD, but I was definitely the first in MY WORLD to achieve it.” he told us at today’s “No Limits” event for amputees and prosthetic-users in Sydney.
Don emphasized the power of breaking bigger goals down into smaller, achievable steps, a philosophy that he says extends beyond sports and into everyday life. As a motivational speaker, he encourages people to “reset their brain” with small daily acts of positivity, like a gentle smile to yourself and the world while checking your watch or simply passing through a doorway.
Don Elgin was born with a different length left leg, and here is holding up his first prosthrtic limb.
Taitum Brown, a generation younger than Don, experienced a life-altering accident at age four when he was struck by a car. Though he lived with a limb that never fully developed, he didn’t have an amputation until only two years ago. As an adult, Taitum made the conscious decision himself to have the limb amputated. He emphasized he has no regrets about the decision, and spoke with passion about now playing wheelchair basketball and leading a fairly “ordinary” life.
Taitum Brown shared his experience of an accident aged four, but not having an amputation until he chose for himself, aged eighteen.
Taitum’s story reflects a common theme I heard today – several attendees made the decision to have amputations due to chronic pain, whereas I was unconscious when mine occured, and therefore had no choice in the matter.
Darrell Sparke, CEO of Amputees NSW, also shared his experience today of growing up in a small town, after losing a limb in a teenage lawn mower accident. He remembered the pre-NDIS days, and because he never had access to prosthetics, he believes it’s helped him become resilient in himself. He spoke of his strong advocacy for fellow amputees on both an individual and collective level.
The “No Limits” event held today in Sydney, was organized by prosthetic supplier APC, and offered a wealth of information and support.
Wheelchair basketball during the lunch break.
Amputees connected and shared experiences, while experts like physiotherapists demonstrated exercises, and specialists discussed “wet legs” (prosthetic limbs for water activities) and other more “technical” matters.
I left the event feeling enriched by the stories of others and the strong sense of community among my fellow amputees.
The event was held at the Bernie Mullane Sports Complex at Kellyville
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Great pics – hot out west in Queensland too 42 here yesterday 😅
Great pics – hot out west in Queensland too 42 here yesterday 😅
Such a spectacular harbour