‹ 28.4.04 ›
"I found my ex-wife's wedding dress in the attic when I moved. She took the $4000 engagement ring but left the dress. I was actually going to have a dress burning party when the divorce became final, but my sister talked me out of it. She said, 'That’s such a gorgeous dress. Some lucky girl would be glad to have it. You should sell it on EBay. At least get something back for it.' So, this is what I’m doing."
‹ 28.4.04
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Nicole Kidman for President of the World! They could do a lot worse I suppose.
‹ 27.4.04
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Today is Anzac Day - a chance to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by previous generations so that we can live the way we do today. My grandad fought overseas in World War II and a few mementos of his time there still survive, one of which is a letter from the front, written in Italy in December 1943. So, hats off to you Grandad ... you're a true hero (and not too bad at kicking my butt at euchre either).
‹ 25.4.04
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What about New Zealand? Our tiny voices demand to be heard, Mr Faceless Studio!
‹ 19.4.04
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Matters constitutional have been at the forefront of New Zealand politics as of late, and it's always a particularly difficult issue to grapple with, especially when your country has no written constitution of which to speak. So, into the fray steps the all new Treaty of Waitangi website ... a valiant attempt to put a few matters straight and to encourage some healthy debate amongst our four million or so citizens. It's a pretty good first stab as far as I can see, and it'll be interesting to see how it plays out in current environment over the coming months (years, decades, etc).
‹ 19.4.04
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Well, that was me falling off the radar ... but I'm back (and hopefully not for a limited time). Life has been extremely busy lately and inertia took hold on the internet front. Work is marching quickly towards the second half of the year, with no respite in sight (local body elections happen in October and I find myself caught up in a maelstrom of preparations for those). Socially, things have been pretty quiet - not a whole lot happening but there's someone new and interesting on the scene and it's all going swimmingly, thenkyewverymuch.
Meanwhile, tales of life Sydney-side have well and truly gone stale, but will now be spelled out for the sake of completeness. This year's Mardi Gras jaunt was a little more laid back than the hectic time in 2003. It was fantastic catching up with Iain again (even though I woke the poor lad up bright and early) but it didn't take long for the best laid plans to go astray. The hotel we'd booked into completely cocked up our booking, and it was touch and go whether we'd have a roof over our heads for the whole six nights or not. Thankfully, fortune smiled and we were sweet for the duration ... and a hefty discount was thrown in by a more than apologetic manageress. Nice.
Wandering around Sydney is a great way to spend the day, and wander we did ... taking in the markets with Herb (who had been persuaded to stay on for the big event) and Gary (back for more punishment!), and managing to do a bit of shopping for myself (hello nice new Adidas sneakers). We managed to catch up with young Luke too which was great ... soon to be gracing a rockabilly dancehall near you! I do have one wandering-related question though ... what the hell's up with the bats? Strolling through a massive grove of them in the Botanic Gardens was a little unnerving, and pungent, and I'm sure one threw something at me while we sat in the balmy surrounds of Bettina and Margie's courtyard (and no, it wasn't a poo because I checked).
[Small aside: There are some fucking nice flats over there ... Iain's pal, the lovely Jo, moved into a real pearler while we were there which had us both drooling all over the well appointed fixtures. And Bettina and Margie's reno was just amazing (as was the roast dinner - those girls are wonderful). Come on you goddamn Lotto win, I know you're out there!]
There was even a bit of theatre-going, dahlings. Two German men in a perspex box made up Pandora 88 which was quite inventive and artsy, plus I got an "under 30" discount which was noice, unyewsual and indeed deefrint (not much longer until that big day ...). Dinner and drinks at the Opera House beforehand was also great - it may seem a little hackneyed, but watching the sun go down on the harbour, with the Bridge and all that, is so quintessentially Sydney you just can't help but grin inanely while doing it.
Pam Ann was also on the agenda and she was in fine form too, with a whole big stage all to herself, dancing boys a-go-go, and sponsored to within an inch of her blue-eyeshadowed life. It's a long way from those crowded Sundays at The 2 Brewers that's for sure! Oh, and I'm not sure if drag shows at the legendary Imperial in Newtown count as theatre, but they were bloody good fun nonetheless.
And so, to Mardi Gras. And so, to the rain. And some more rain. And then a little more for good measure. Dear Lord, what a potential disaster. Fortunately, the crowd's spirits were high and they weren't going to let a little moisture get in the way of them and a good time (actually, they were more likely to be in the middle of a little moisture and a good time, but I digress). Luck came to the rescue for us once again as we decamped to my cousin Debbie's new studio which, conveniently, is smack dab in the middle of Oxford Street, and thus the parade route. She accomodated several rowdy 'omos with sheer grace (I have a wonderful family I tell you) and we managed to stay relatively dry which was a real blessing.
Back to the hotel to shower and change and then to find a cab. Hah! They were as scarce as bedazzled hen's teeth and an hour (at least) later we were finally at Fox Studios for the big party. Most of it was spent chilling out ... certainly not as energetic as last year but with the steamy climes (after all that rain) it was a little too sauna-like for a whole lotta exerting. Still, I caught the big show at 3am (featuring Bettina and Margie) and talked to random people and shot the breeze with our assembled cadre and generally soaked up the atmosphere (literally, given the aforementioned humidity). A great night, and morning, was had by all.
Catching the ferry to Manly to unwind on the beach was about as strenuous as things got for the rest of the trip. T'was an excellent battery-recharger and just what I needed then ... and now, come to think of it. Still, there's always next year - glutton, punishment, moi?
‹ 18.4.04
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