I think it was Billy Connolly who said the Queen must think the whole world smells of fresh paint. Going to the airport is a bit like that. It’s a clean, freshly-painted, shiny cocoon. There’s no litter. There’s loitering, but only by well-dressed people. There’s security everywhere. There’s international-standard signage pointing you to just about ... [More]
One reason I need a new couch
…and conversely, one reason why I’m reluctant to buy one. (Disclaimer: Okay so this was posed for the camera, but only following from actual unscripted events. And if a new couch arrived, they’d be told not to do it, and I know they’d comply.)
One of those days
It was one of those days. . The hot water wouldn’t light and the drains are playing up. .. The train was ten minutes late. … Marita left the country for three weeks. …. Had to get home early to meet the plumber. …. But at least I don’t have to pay for the plumber. ... [More]
It’s breakfast time for the birds on platform 3.
While she’s away
While my girlfriend is away in Europe for three weeks, I will: finally tidy up the damn spare room and clear out all the crap from around the house (yeah sure Daniel. SURE.) do my tax and sort out my files (for one relies on the other) set my sister up with a blog of ... [More]
Saturday’s trip to the National Gallery wasn’t just a learning experience in art. We went along with X. X has cerebral palsy, meaning she is physically disabled. She’s either confined to a wheelchair, or can use crutches, but at a snail’s pace. Okay I’ve wheeled around kids in my time, so I have some of ... [More]
Name this bridge
This is the bridge from Flinders Street Station’s Elizabeth Street subway to Southbank. Does it have a name? Ron asked, and I looked at various maps and walked around it, but can’t find a name for it. Anybody? Or if it doesn’t have a name, would anybody like to suggest one? (No actual naming rights ... [More]
Speaking of clocks
Blue skies over Flinders Street Station, lunchtime, Friday.
Show me the Monet!
The Impressionists at the National Gallery Victoria. Some quite outstanding works, and in a variety of styles and subjects, certainly enough to keep me (and the rest of the crowd) interested for a good 3 hours of wandering around. Definitely worth a look, even if you’re a relative philistine like me. (Busy weekend. Well, kinda. ... [More]
It has arrived
The clock. The clock has arrived!
Annoying songs
Annoying songs I have had going around in my brain recently: Roger Voudouris: Get used to it — he of the red pullover and hair blowing in the wind. Is there any more frightening sight? Billy Joel: For the Longest Time — hangover from that night at the cinema when they were playing his greatest ... [More]
Turned on my phone at 7am. Beep beep, beep beep. 9:01 train cancelled. Connex apologises for any inconvenience. (Is it really a sincere apology if it was typed by a programmer into the automated alerts system, and it’s just the computer repeating it ad nauseum ever after?) So it was no surprise when I got ... [More]