27.9.05
Thanks
To everyone involved in the surprise party: THANK YOU. Didn't see that one coming. Felt like I was 6!
26.9.05
Your vote counts
Did my bit as an honary Kiwi, and voted. Hard to tell if it was for the right person, as I wasn't really folowing all the policies drifing left and right. But duty is duty. The mild winter persisted allowing outdoor persuits and the start of my development as one of the great cinematographers of the modern age. Or not. Time will tell, but so far Sany and I are gettng alon fine. Once I gather my time together I might just update this place and share.
Ronja and I have just returned from a weekend in Dunedin which was pretty cool. Quite laid back, meandering, but that is all I wanted. If you happen to get the chance duck into the museam and head up to the top floor; there's an attic with the craziest collection of animals like a giant down-the-back-of-the-sofa collection.
30 tomorrow. Thirty whats, am still not sure…
Ronja and I have just returned from a weekend in Dunedin which was pretty cool. Quite laid back, meandering, but that is all I wanted. If you happen to get the chance duck into the museam and head up to the top floor; there's an attic with the craziest collection of animals like a giant down-the-back-of-the-sofa collection.
30 tomorrow. Thirty whats, am still not sure…
30.8.05
Queenstown snowboadring
A long weekend behind me and some great snowboarding too. Ken, Jane, Ross, Ronja and I headed to Queenstown in pursuit of the all too elusive snow. We spent Thursday night outside Wanaka in the back of our respective cars/tents before descending on Cardona. The snow was OK, but after 2 hours i was cursing my brand new boots and the pack they had made with the devil. I was ready to burn them and send them back to the firey pits from which they were spawned until I swapped insoles and beat the life back into them.
Basing ourselves in Q/town in the Black Sheep b/p was a good plan, as was a repeat trip to Cadrona the following day with 10cms of fresh. Bright and shiny days for all.
It is remarkable how little snow the Remarkables has received, and remarkable how shit the ski field is, and remarkable how much it costs, and remarkable haw grumpy the staff are. I will not go back. Never. I know that they cannot control the elements (no matter how like gods they might think they are), but they are in the service industry, selling good times. For some reason or another I cannot enjoy myself there. Everything is wrong about the place, including the terrain. I will spend my money elsewhere.
Like on the Luge! So much fun. Everytime.
Top weekend guys. Thanks for sharing.
Basing ourselves in Q/town in the Black Sheep b/p was a good plan, as was a repeat trip to Cadrona the following day with 10cms of fresh. Bright and shiny days for all.
It is remarkable how little snow the Remarkables has received, and remarkable how shit the ski field is, and remarkable how much it costs, and remarkable haw grumpy the staff are. I will not go back. Never. I know that they cannot control the elements (no matter how like gods they might think they are), but they are in the service industry, selling good times. For some reason or another I cannot enjoy myself there. Everything is wrong about the place, including the terrain. I will spend my money elsewhere.
Like on the Luge! So much fun. Everytime.
Top weekend guys. Thanks for sharing.
Digger
Did I mention that one of my childhood ambitions was at long last achieved? no, I didn't get a part as the next Spiderman, but I haven't given up hope; I did, though, get to did a hole with a digger. A proper hole. And a proper digger. Photos to follow.
23.8.05
Faith in humanity
My faith in humanity has been restored. This morning I left my wallet on the bus, but failed to realise until noon. The usual frantic panic, tearing handfuls of hair out as I tried to retrace my footsteps. Having canceled my c/cards (which was actually pretty easy, considering I didn't have a drop of identity on my I made my way to the bus Xchange. At the bus terminal I asked whe little old ladies behind the counter if any kind citizen had handed anythgin only to be told that lost property on buses went to the bus company not the bus station. It proved harder than I imagined to suggest that maybe, just maybe the passangers didn't know this and maybe had handed it in to someone else. Without a word of warning a little lady popped her head up from behind a counter and siad that someone had handed a wallet in to one of the colleges on the other side of town, and it might just be mine. A hop and a skip through town and I was reunited with my trusted pocket-sized identity. To the mystery person who so honestly handed it in a HUGE THANK YOU!
10.8.05
update
At long last I have added a few photos; Melbourne. My first time. Loved it. Love it. Will return.
Photos of the ascent of Mt Somers (took me 3 years to find the summit, but that's another story) to follow. I am still dragging my legs behind me 3 days after the ordeal. It has been a while. Far too long. At least we saw some snow. For those of you interested in facts: it might be the last sighting of Shapéra in the Southern Alps for quite some time. Good luck up north!
Photos of the ascent of Mt Somers (took me 3 years to find the summit, but that's another story) to follow. I am still dragging my legs behind me 3 days after the ordeal. It has been a while. Far too long. At least we saw some snow. For those of you interested in facts: it might be the last sighting of Shapéra in the Southern Alps for quite some time. Good luck up north!
3.8.05
untitled
for those of you (and you know who you are) who have been thinking, "When is there going to be something new and exciting," eat your heart out. I had actually posted a few brilliant blogs; reactions to the London bombings and more recently my comments of the finding of another planet (or not-planet, depending who you believe). However these posts were obviously deemed too sensitive or controversial and never made it up here.
I do have a stack of photos to scan and upload too, but somehow I can't seem to find the time, what with the new house (on the banks of the River Avon – not as idelic as it sounds believe me) and the new office and my new role as Creative Director of Out of the Blue. Not sure what it entails but I like the sound of it.
I do have a stack of photos to scan and upload too, but somehow I can't seem to find the time, what with the new house (on the banks of the River Avon – not as idelic as it sounds believe me) and the new office and my new role as Creative Director of Out of the Blue. Not sure what it entails but I like the sound of it.
2.8.05
update
ok,ok... this might be some kind of record. Since my last post a new planet (or not-a-plant, depending who you listen to) has been discovered, and for the time being the bastards who were so intent on destroying backpacks (themselves and others) have fallen silent. What's new? What indeed. I am living in the relative comfort (an cold) of a granny flat on the banks of the River Avon.not as romatic a location as it might sound to all those not that familiar to little old Christchurch. However Ronja and I seem to be making the most of it. It is a bit like the good old days in Nelson, especially as we have Ken and Jane next door for playtime.
The great outdoors isn't quite in winter mode, sure it is cold (both indoors and out) but the snows have failed to appear and despite what I have just said it was the warmest July on record. Not in my kneck of the woods believe me. Still, there has been a time for surfing and gentle walking over the hill.
I am now Creative Director of Out of the Blue. Not that I wasn't before, only now there were witnesses and it is now on a bit of paper (somewhere). Let's just see how that fits. Things are going pretty well, but unfortunatly Smoothfluid has taken a back seat over the last 8 weeks. Still have plans. Big plans.
The great outdoors isn't quite in winter mode, sure it is cold (both indoors and out) but the snows have failed to appear and despite what I have just said it was the warmest July on record. Not in my kneck of the woods believe me. Still, there has been a time for surfing and gentle walking over the hill.
I am now Creative Director of Out of the Blue. Not that I wasn't before, only now there were witnesses and it is now on a bit of paper (somewhere). Let's just see how that fits. Things are going pretty well, but unfortunatly Smoothfluid has taken a back seat over the last 8 weeks. Still have plans. Big plans.
9.7.05
Terror, my 2c
In a world of 'terror' I have to admit that I am not afraid. Admitidly I am living on a tiny land mass somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean, and the world stage often seems so very far away. However, my links the the motherland are still strong and my thoughts about the explosions in London the other day are as real and valid as the next persons. So here's my 10c for anyone who wants to listen:
Always trying to keep positive about everything… 9 million people travel by public transport every day in London, so as far as 'terror' attacks go it wasn't really a big deal; I think Ireland has been worse hit by the IRA in the past. After all, if you want to coordinate an attack who would really choose to use the most unpredictable public transport in the developed world. It's a fluke that the drivers weren't on strike, as they seem to be every year. I heard this morning that the bus driver was actually lost, and had got out of his bus to ask directions. Go figure.
Admitidly going to work that morning was decididly risky, but then again the road death rate for London alone was around 4500 in the 1840s (according to a stat I pulled from a Google). To everyone I know in London I hope you are safe and well, and to the bastards who 'mastermind' such events I hope one day you work out that death and distruction is not the way forward.
Always trying to keep positive about everything… 9 million people travel by public transport every day in London, so as far as 'terror' attacks go it wasn't really a big deal; I think Ireland has been worse hit by the IRA in the past. After all, if you want to coordinate an attack who would really choose to use the most unpredictable public transport in the developed world. It's a fluke that the drivers weren't on strike, as they seem to be every year. I heard this morning that the bus driver was actually lost, and had got out of his bus to ask directions. Go figure.
Admitidly going to work that morning was decididly risky, but then again the road death rate for London alone was around 4500 in the 1840s (according to a stat I pulled from a Google). To everyone I know in London I hope you are safe and well, and to the bastards who 'mastermind' such events I hope one day you work out that death and distruction is not the way forward.
20.6.05
An historic victory
I believe the words used were "An historic victory". Words describing the victory of what was dubbed the Lions C team vs Otago. The boys did a whistle-stop 24 hours in Dunedin to see the game, and cellebrate/commiserate afterwards. Great to be with so many Brits after so long. Looking forward to the 1st test in chch on Friday for sure!
5.6.05
Landslides and other stories
Days creep and sometimes slip by. Like a landslide maybe. Or not. Landslides seem to be all the rage right now, with San Fran the latest trend-hopper following a pretty tough month in the Bay of Plenty. At least the Lions held their ground. (Bizarre link I know, bet you never expected that one). Anyway… I have just popped a few photos up from a couple of days (daze?) wandering about in May in and around the chch area. In the not too distant future I am sure there will be a few more from the weekend I have just spent in Arthurs Pass shrouded in mist and snow, and over in Blackball MTB with some friends.
Happy birthday Liz! (HRH)
Happy birthday Liz! (HRH)
25.5.05
Moving house
You shouldn't be allowed to pull a house down until the sun comes up. That's my opinion. Sleep it too valuable to be disturbed by the incessant beep-beep-beep of backing trucks and the ground shaking rumble of brick walls thundering back to earth. Where was my gentle wake up? Where did my dreams go this morning?
10.5.05
8.5.05
Water is wet
An observation: In Fiji the water was wet.
While that may seem supremely obvious, there is logic behind most of my ramblings, and this is no exception: If the water is as warm as the air, which is as warm as you are then all you're going to notice is the wetness. Unlike the surf yesterday. I think I spied and iceberg behind the breakers, throught the rain. Still, the waves were close to perfect as we ever get here so I'll put up ith the cold for a bit longer.
and belated congratulations to Amy and Iain!
While that may seem supremely obvious, there is logic behind most of my ramblings, and this is no exception: If the water is as warm as the air, which is as warm as you are then all you're going to notice is the wetness. Unlike the surf yesterday. I think I spied and iceberg behind the breakers, throught the rain. Still, the waves were close to perfect as we ever get here so I'll put up ith the cold for a bit longer.
and belated congratulations to Amy and Iain!
5.5.05
Advice
The (not so) tropical beaches seem to ever fade from my memory, just like my tan, soon to be replaced with the panda-goggle mark no doubt. Quiet is the name of the game right now. Still edging forward with the promotional concepts for Smoothfluid {Clothing}, hope to have something more to say about that later.
As if you're going to listen to me here's my recommendations for the months of May: If you can get your mits on Fat Freddys Drop's new album "Based on a true story", it is all I am listening too right now. And go see the movie "Primer". Don't even pretend you understand exactly what is happening, but do stay till the end; the credits are the best I have ever seen.
As if you're going to listen to me here's my recommendations for the months of May: If you can get your mits on Fat Freddys Drop's new album "Based on a true story", it is all I am listening too right now. And go see the movie "Primer". Don't even pretend you understand exactly what is happening, but do stay till the end; the credits are the best I have ever seen.
29.4.05
Fiji fun
Just posted my photos from a long weekend in Fiji. They don't tell the whole story, but come close. It was a fine holiday, and a great experience/eye-opner.
• Lounged in hamocks
• Watched a local game of rugby
• Saw sharks while snorkling
• Enjoyed a couple of nights with the help of some cava
• Made new friends
• Lost a lot of cards
• Had my wallet stolen, but the thief kindly left my c/card and drivers licence
• Sat on the beach building sandcastles/playing eye-spy
Must do it all again.
To everyone I met, "Thanks, happy travels, maybe bump into you again one day."
• Lounged in hamocks
• Watched a local game of rugby
• Saw sharks while snorkling
• Enjoyed a couple of nights with the help of some cava
• Made new friends
• Lost a lot of cards
• Had my wallet stolen, but the thief kindly left my c/card and drivers licence
• Sat on the beach building sandcastles/playing eye-spy
Must do it all again.
To everyone I met, "Thanks, happy travels, maybe bump into you again one day."
15.4.05
Fiji calls
Just updated the photos (and added some extras from March).
Sethi has flown off the Fiji after hanging out in my neck of the woods for the last 3 weeks. It's been a blast, and no one need know about the tiny ding in the back of Heathrow... Oops.
Gigs a-plenty recently: Lindin Puffin came back to show off his film again (last seen at the Dux), Minuit plaid a stompingly great set last weekend. Mr S and I were right up there dancing away in the heaving mass. And then, to change tack completely Jack Johnson came to town with a fantastic show. I haven't ever heard so many members of an audience singing along with such passion, or felt such possitive vibes for a band in ages.
The surf has rocked too, with the sea refusing to drop its temperature just yet - 3 hours in the water is a new record for me now. As was the amount of pain in my arms the next day.
Oh yes. I am off to Fiji next week too.
Sethi has flown off the Fiji after hanging out in my neck of the woods for the last 3 weeks. It's been a blast, and no one need know about the tiny ding in the back of Heathrow... Oops.
Gigs a-plenty recently: Lindin Puffin came back to show off his film again (last seen at the Dux), Minuit plaid a stompingly great set last weekend. Mr S and I were right up there dancing away in the heaving mass. And then, to change tack completely Jack Johnson came to town with a fantastic show. I haven't ever heard so many members of an audience singing along with such passion, or felt such possitive vibes for a band in ages.
The surf has rocked too, with the sea refusing to drop its temperature just yet - 3 hours in the water is a new record for me now. As was the amount of pain in my arms the next day.
Oh yes. I am off to Fiji next week too.
29.3.05
Autumn
Autumn creeps on; last weekend I spied my first snow capped mountain of the year.
Ummit is in South Island. (lock up you daughters...) and as an introduction to this fine land I took him into the Alps. Into the rain. We spent our Easter dodging rain drops the size of avocados on the West Coast and exploring relic mining communities in the back country - venturing into mines populated all too often by wetas and cave-spiders. Camping in Arthurs Pass, and wading though Cave Stream. It might have been the last possible weekend of the year to do that. The water was much colder than I had ever done it before, and the currents much stronger. Kitted out in wetties though it wasn't too bad; and, once the sun came out and warmed the ice blocks that were once a left and a right foot life was good again.
Ummit is in South Island. (lock up you daughters...) and as an introduction to this fine land I took him into the Alps. Into the rain. We spent our Easter dodging rain drops the size of avocados on the West Coast and exploring relic mining communities in the back country - venturing into mines populated all too often by wetas and cave-spiders. Camping in Arthurs Pass, and wading though Cave Stream. It might have been the last possible weekend of the year to do that. The water was much colder than I had ever done it before, and the currents much stronger. Kitted out in wetties though it wasn't too bad; and, once the sun came out and warmed the ice blocks that were once a left and a right foot life was good again.
22.3.05
Change is in the air
Change is in the air. This is the first of it.
I will trawl through some of the photos that have taken over the last few months and pop some up.
And mention more of what the late summer had to off on this fair isle: like the longboard championship in Kaikoura the other weekend. I had never imagined that it could be taken so far, I have a heck of a lot of homework to do now... Luckily there was a heap of swell over the last few days, unluckily it was too huge - the lifesavers had their work cut out for them pulling surfers from the rip all day I hear. Better that than pulling bits of you from the teeth of great whites as I hear happened in Perth a few days ago. Luckily no sharks to be seen, which was just fine as Ronja spent the time around sunrise swimming with more than a hundred dolphins, while I watched the surf roll in behind heavy eyelids.
The weekend before we were in Kairkoura again. Unfortunately the surf wasn't up to much in K itself, but spending the night on a deserted beach, waking up with the sun throwing a frisbee and hanging out in the sunshine cannot be beat. On the was back to Chch via Gore Bay I did get a surf in; more of a windsurf as the offshore was screaming and lifted me off a wave sending me backwards.
Somehow I have also failed to mention the 2005 Twizel Helibike Challange. And staying in Graham's bach on the edge of lake Alexandrina (no power or running water - just how a bach should be). How I will never be a rower. Ever. And Ed the mouse who lived beneath the sink. It was a great weekend, and although I am not sure if I was any faster down the hill this year the sun shone and my international support crew was great. A fine weekend out.
I will trawl through some of the photos that have taken over the last few months and pop some up.
And mention more of what the late summer had to off on this fair isle: like the longboard championship in Kaikoura the other weekend. I had never imagined that it could be taken so far, I have a heck of a lot of homework to do now... Luckily there was a heap of swell over the last few days, unluckily it was too huge - the lifesavers had their work cut out for them pulling surfers from the rip all day I hear. Better that than pulling bits of you from the teeth of great whites as I hear happened in Perth a few days ago. Luckily no sharks to be seen, which was just fine as Ronja spent the time around sunrise swimming with more than a hundred dolphins, while I watched the surf roll in behind heavy eyelids.
The weekend before we were in Kairkoura again. Unfortunately the surf wasn't up to much in K itself, but spending the night on a deserted beach, waking up with the sun throwing a frisbee and hanging out in the sunshine cannot be beat. On the was back to Chch via Gore Bay I did get a surf in; more of a windsurf as the offshore was screaming and lifted me off a wave sending me backwards.
Somehow I have also failed to mention the 2005 Twizel Helibike Challange. And staying in Graham's bach on the edge of lake Alexandrina (no power or running water - just how a bach should be). How I will never be a rower. Ever. And Ed the mouse who lived beneath the sink. It was a great weekend, and although I am not sure if I was any faster down the hill this year the sun shone and my international support crew was great. A fine weekend out.
4.3.05
3.3.05
Nice1 RDU.
Today I am a winner!
More specifically, the winner of The Thievery Corp's new album. Nice1 RDU. ThankYu.
More specifically, the winner of The Thievery Corp's new album. Nice1 RDU. ThankYu.
21.2.05
Twizel Helibike Challange.
My second go at this awesome downhill race. Not that I was actually going to go all guns blazing downhill, as I was still coming to terms with SPDs, and knowing exactly how nuts part of the course was may have slowed me a little, rather that the pedal to the metal aproach of last year… 42 mins not sure if I was fater than 2004, but this time I didn't stop to take photos. Happy enough.
Blazingly good weather all weekend. Ronja and I shacked up in a wee bach on the edge of Lake Alexandrina. As old school as a bach should be. Forget power, forget hot water, and all your other mod-cons. This was even more grass-roots than my place in St Arnaud all those years ago. Great fun the whole weekend. Even when my car broke down. Even when I realised that I would never be an olympic rower, and if it was up to me I'd still be out on the lake going round and round in circles.
Blazingly good weather all weekend. Ronja and I shacked up in a wee bach on the edge of Lake Alexandrina. As old school as a bach should be. Forget power, forget hot water, and all your other mod-cons. This was even more grass-roots than my place in St Arnaud all those years ago. Great fun the whole weekend. Even when my car broke down. Even when I realised that I would never be an olympic rower, and if it was up to me I'd still be out on the lake going round and round in circles.
Comments
UPDATE
You can now comment online to this blog, if you want to. Just click on the word "COMMENT" or "POST A COMMENT" and go from there. You should be able to work it.
You can now comment online to this blog, if you want to. Just click on the word "COMMENT" or "POST A COMMENT" and go from there. You should be able to work it.
11.2.05
update
Perhaps it is the summer heat, perhaps it is just an excuse, but updates at /sf/ have been few and far between since Christmas, and I have no one to blame but myself.
I don't expect this to fill in any gaps really. Just touching base. 2005 is proving to be full of surprises. Summer has come along, and is showing off, just when we all expected she had forgotten us. Dust off the barbie, hunt out your flip-flops, squeeze into your boardies because things are beginning to look nice and tanned. And the surf has roared. 10 consecutive days: my arms nearly fell off.
January whizzed by. Or at least I think it did. Work has been the slowest in ages, (picking up now though) maybe I wasn't paying attention. However, I did notice my name in ProDesign, and the designer of Bloomsberry & Co's Bochox dark chocolate. Despite telling them that it was a team effort I suppose I will be OK with that. Grafik Magazine in London also ran with it which nearly blew my socks off: it has been a dream of mine to get in there, and despite it being credited to OOTB (which is what was intended) I get a warm fuzzy nonetheless.
Remind me to do some of my own designs form time to time. actually, if you want to give me a title I might just create one from there...
Smoothfluid clothing is all set to be released in a month or so. I still have to work on swing tags and point of differences, and it won't be threatening any other label as it is a very limited run first off (buggered up the stock required didn't I!). But the design tree will be shaken I hope.
I don't expect this to fill in any gaps really. Just touching base. 2005 is proving to be full of surprises. Summer has come along, and is showing off, just when we all expected she had forgotten us. Dust off the barbie, hunt out your flip-flops, squeeze into your boardies because things are beginning to look nice and tanned. And the surf has roared. 10 consecutive days: my arms nearly fell off.
January whizzed by. Or at least I think it did. Work has been the slowest in ages, (picking up now though) maybe I wasn't paying attention. However, I did notice my name in ProDesign, and the designer of Bloomsberry & Co's Bochox dark chocolate. Despite telling them that it was a team effort I suppose I will be OK with that. Grafik Magazine in London also ran with it which nearly blew my socks off: it has been a dream of mine to get in there, and despite it being credited to OOTB (which is what was intended) I get a warm fuzzy nonetheless.
Remind me to do some of my own designs form time to time. actually, if you want to give me a title I might just create one from there...
Smoothfluid clothing is all set to be released in a month or so. I still have to work on swing tags and point of differences, and it won't be threatening any other label as it is a very limited run first off (buggered up the stock required didn't I!). But the design tree will be shaken I hope.
10.1.05
The Sydney Aquarium
Everyone told me that this was a must, you must "go find Nemo" (a joke that has gone well past its use-by-date I now realise, those poor aquaruim staff). So off we went. Actually, that seems to imply a certain degree of haste, but with the huge crouds there wasn't much forward movement, not in the queue, and not in the aquarium either. Prams and off road buggies constantly nudging your shins, children screeming that they had located Nemo on a frisbee in the gift shop, kiddies banging at the fish tanks or sticking their fingers into starfish... I don't want to get al New Age on you but I began to feel a little uncomfortable with the whole show. I will not argue the case as to a fishes level of consciousness, or the level of humaine conditions they lived in, or indeed the educational benifits of exposing people to creatures they had never imagined existed, but I do feel strongly enough about the water around the whole Noah's Ark to pipe up here: Between the hub and the seperate shark pod was a gangway over the harbour, and there gently bobbing in the oil slick was a chilie bin (which I recently learnt is an esky in Australian), and a selection of dining-ware from that fine restaurant we have all come to love, the one run by the clown..., and other detritus. It is the only photo I took of my experience there, and one that I think is more important that a snap of a sparkly snapper.
2.1.05
Ozzy ozzy ozzy
I little preview of antics on the otherside of the pond.
With my travel buddy Ronja, I have visited the NSW Art Gallery, and been horrified by the Anne Landa Award. The ALA is a new media award, and the winnner can only be described as shocking. Sitting a a playhouse on tiny kiddie chairs you have the chance to interact with a little girl/doll by using a mouse. What seems so inocent becomes macabre as the little angel becomes self distructive: when suggesting playing 'Tea-Time', she throws the teapot on the ground, picks up the broken china and grinds it into her eyes. You can't help but feel slightly responsible in suggesting the activity. Nuts!
A picnic in the botanic gardens was more sedate, but still a little bizare being surrounded by brids I had never seen before, making noises I had never heard before, and others that are normally seen in cages in pet shops, now flying freely, colourful feathers flapping just as they should be..
No trip would be complete without seeing the Opera House. Not that we went inside, but wandered around taking it all in, trying to get that defining photograph. Time will tell if I got "that" shot.
Dave and Ivan have been legends with their hospitality in the city, and with insider knowledge. I am sure that left up to our own devices we would have missed those famous fireworks heralding the new year seen from Mrs Macquires Point, in the Botanic Gardens, and a picnic with thousands of Sydneysiders and travellers. Fireworks that kicked the probverbial of all the others I have ever seen. OK, the 'Disco Ball' was something of a disapointment, but it was overshadowed by the complete show. The 9pm show with less than a skin-full was amazing. The crowds were not as frantic and we could "ooo" and "ahhh" to our hearts content, but we were all just waiting for the big one.
Which was big. Very. Huge crowds gathered at the waters edge 15 minutes early and we clambered for a position. I was tucked under the sweeping branches of a tree, half perched on half a step, but could still see most of the action, and with a death grip on the handrail managed to stay upright. The fireworks raged for 15 or 20 minutes maybe, and the crowds began to disapear into the night. But, if my memory serves me right there was a laser show once the smoke had cleared, which I seem to recall enjoying, but maybe I had just burnt my corneas staling wide-eyed at the fireworks and was just getting flash-backs.
New Year itself was a lazy day, wandering over the Harbour Bridge, taking the city in at my own pace, wandering with no intention, but just seeing what was around the corner. And, today? Well, there are plenty more corners to peek around... Who knows.
With my travel buddy Ronja, I have visited the NSW Art Gallery, and been horrified by the Anne Landa Award. The ALA is a new media award, and the winnner can only be described as shocking. Sitting a a playhouse on tiny kiddie chairs you have the chance to interact with a little girl/doll by using a mouse. What seems so inocent becomes macabre as the little angel becomes self distructive: when suggesting playing 'Tea-Time', she throws the teapot on the ground, picks up the broken china and grinds it into her eyes. You can't help but feel slightly responsible in suggesting the activity. Nuts!
A picnic in the botanic gardens was more sedate, but still a little bizare being surrounded by brids I had never seen before, making noises I had never heard before, and others that are normally seen in cages in pet shops, now flying freely, colourful feathers flapping just as they should be..
No trip would be complete without seeing the Opera House. Not that we went inside, but wandered around taking it all in, trying to get that defining photograph. Time will tell if I got "that" shot.
Dave and Ivan have been legends with their hospitality in the city, and with insider knowledge. I am sure that left up to our own devices we would have missed those famous fireworks heralding the new year seen from Mrs Macquires Point, in the Botanic Gardens, and a picnic with thousands of Sydneysiders and travellers. Fireworks that kicked the probverbial of all the others I have ever seen. OK, the 'Disco Ball' was something of a disapointment, but it was overshadowed by the complete show. The 9pm show with less than a skin-full was amazing. The crowds were not as frantic and we could "ooo" and "ahhh" to our hearts content, but we were all just waiting for the big one.
Which was big. Very. Huge crowds gathered at the waters edge 15 minutes early and we clambered for a position. I was tucked under the sweeping branches of a tree, half perched on half a step, but could still see most of the action, and with a death grip on the handrail managed to stay upright. The fireworks raged for 15 or 20 minutes maybe, and the crowds began to disapear into the night. But, if my memory serves me right there was a laser show once the smoke had cleared, which I seem to recall enjoying, but maybe I had just burnt my corneas staling wide-eyed at the fireworks and was just getting flash-backs.
New Year itself was a lazy day, wandering over the Harbour Bridge, taking the city in at my own pace, wandering with no intention, but just seeing what was around the corner. And, today? Well, there are plenty more corners to peek around... Who knows.
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