Saturday, June 27, 2009

the independent type

Finally found time to stop by the magnificent State Library today to visit the current exhibition, 'The Independent Type'.

This exhibition is being staged to commemorate Melbourne's designation as a UNESCO City of Literature, and features information, displays and artifacts tracing Melbourne's literary traditions. It contains some wonderful historical displays, primarily dating back to early colonial Victorian times, with a nod to earlier indigenous traditions, as is well worth a visit.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

oh what a night

Did I recently say "where there's a will, there's a way"? Tonight, I got to see "Jersey Boys" at the fabulous Princess Theatre. What a great show and what a great venue! It's worth the price of admission just to visit these heritage theatres.

We had terrific seats in the dress circle (of course, I had to get seated behind a 7-foot tall escapee from the asylum, but he didn't block ALL the view!) The show was beautifully staged - the ingenuity of the show designers is amazing - the music was fantastic, faithfully representing the original tunes, and the story was both interesting and amusing. I'm just downloading a few more Four Seasons tunes on iTunes to help me relive the experience.

My only complaint... I wanted more music! I could listen to some of those tunes for hours, and some of my favourites - like Dawn and Rag Doll - got short shrift, while Grease didn't make the show at all. Understandable, of course, or the programme would have run all night! I'd happily see it again, if I get an opportunity.

Monday, June 22, 2009

...and breathe out again

Went back to the GP today for a bp checkup, having been on my new medication for around 3 weeks. I was SO relieved to learn that my bp has already returned to normal levels. Yippee! Get me that espresso I've been avoiding... fast!!!

at the movies - d.i.y.

I finally had that quiet weekend I've been promising myself for the past few months, and it became a chance to catch up on some movie viewing.

I started Friday night by cracking open Doubt on blu ray. I loved that movie when I saw it at the cinema last January, and I could remember thinking at the time that I would definitely want to watch it again on dvd, so I dutifully picked up a copy during the week, and I wasn't disappointed with my second viewing. Despite knowing how the story ended, I was still captivated by the smart script and beautiful cinematography, but most of all, by the very fine performances of Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Viola Davis and Amy Adams. Sensational... 5 stars on the David & Margaret scale!

On Saturday arvo, I caught the Hangover at the George in St Kilda. Not the funniest film I've ever seen, but I enjoyed the twist on the old 'murder mystery' theme, with the three protagonists trying to piece together their lost night in Las Vegas. Ken Jeong, whom I'd recently seen in Role Models, almost stole the show. A 3 star effort.

It went downhill from there. I had procrastinated, and finally missed seeing He's Just Not That Into You when it was on at the cinema, so I decided to check it out on dvd. You'd think that after wasting good money to see The Women last year, I would have learnt that having a big all-star cast is no guarantee of a good (or funny) movie... but I hadn't. This film wasn't quite as bad, but it certainly wasn't good either. I love Scarlet Johanssen, but even her presence couldn't rescue this over-long turkey. 2 stars (for Scarlet!)

After that dud, I decided to dig out Zack and Miri Make a Porno for Sunday night's entertainment. OMG... it was just as funny the second time around! Rude and juvenile, yes. Crude and demeaning, yes. But fun-nee! Best comedy of the year so far, hands down! Seth Rogan and Elizabeth Banks were fantastic, and Justin Long and Brandon Routh had me in stitches. The deleted scenes are almost as entertaining (and long!) as the movie itself, so it's a terrific dvd package. 4 and 1/2 stars!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

the lady in Balaclava

Finally remembered to take a shot of the Lady of St Kilda when I dropped by Carlisle Street today. Despite the damage by graffiti vandals (which I've tried to Photoshop out), you can't help but admire the kitschy railway bridge decoration... the symbol of St Kilda (in beautiful downtown Balaclava!)

some small solace

The Winter Solstice. The beginning of 'true' Winter. As cold as the past few weeks have been, the next 6 - 8 promise worse - more cold, miserable weather, and dark, short days. But at least after today, the days will start to get a little longer again. It won't be really noticeable until August, but it's the light at the end of the tunnel.

little things that count

When I bought my wonderful Canon IXUS from Hong Kong a couple of years ago, it came bundled with a package of freebies from the seller, including a camera bag. I expected a little leather or neoprene thing that I could use to carry my new camera safely around in, but was disappointed to open the package and find what was really just a little sleeve made of netting, with a drawstring.

So I later went out and bought myself a great little padded Crumpler camera bag, complete with carry pockets and strap. But then I discovered that the problem with a 'real' camera bag is that you have to carry it with you. Whereas the little netting sleeve fitted snugly over the camera, protected it from scratches, AND fitted neatly inside my satchel or jacket pocket, so I could easily carry my IXUS with me everywhere. So me and my camera became inseparable, thanks to that sleeve.

I went for a stroll down Fitzroy St and the Esplanade on Saturday, while waiting for a movie to start at the George, and I started taking a few snaps of St Kilda along the way. I tucked the little netting bag into my pocket so I could concentrate on taking my shots. I walked down the Esplanade, past the wonderful art deco Mandalay buildings, past the Palais and Luna Park, to the corner of Acland St, and having taken a last snap, I reached into my pocket to get the camera sleeve... only to find that it wasn't there!

Somewhere along the Esplanade, it had fallen out of my pocket. I hurriedly retraced my steps, in the hope of finding it, but it was nowhere to be found. I've searched in catalogues and online, but I haven't been able to find another like it anywhere. It's amazing how valuable to me that thing had been, and I never realised, of course, until I lost it!

Monday, June 15, 2009

the phantom trams

I came home from work via Collingwood (the suburb, not the team) on Friday night. I was waiting for the 109 tram in Victoria Parade to get me to a connecting 78. The electric sign said the 109 was about 5 minutes away, yet I could see a tram approaching only a minute or so away. It arrived at the stop, and it was a number 24 to Balwyn. I've never heard of a number 24 before, but I assumed that it must take me at least to Church St, so I got aboard, and it took me to where I needed to go.

When I got home, I checked the Yarra Trams site, and found that the 24 does indeed exist, but that it only runs during the weekday peak. Since I seldom ever travel that way, it's little wonder that I'd never heard of it before.

Unlike the tram that followed me on the number 5 the next afternoon... a number 66 to Glenhuntly! I know the 64 runs to East Brighton and the 67 goes to Carnegie, but a 66? That one's not even on the Yarra Trams site... like the mysterious number 7 that sometimes runs down Swanston St to High St during the evening peak.

One day, I have to find a list of these 'unofficial' trams, and see what other phantom services might still exist.

addenda... oops! Should have known that Wikipedia would have the answers! This site hasn't been updated for a while, but has some interesting extra history.

how tweet it is

I set up a Twitter account recently. I have nothing to tweet about, myself; it was purely as part of research for work.

What I discovered is that Twitter is bit like being the 'official' photographer at an event... you can only do one thing at a time - either join in the occasion, or stand outside it and take photos... or tweet, as the case may be.

A report in the paper yesterday noted that the vast majority of ... um... twits... only ever make 1 tweet before they lose interest. I was fast losing interest, too (tho I've made 2 tweets so far!), until I received a 'follow' request (it's an even longer story!) from one of my footballing heroes, Harry O'Brien!

OMG. I felt like a schoolkid getting an autograph from the star half back! I was embarrassed to accept, 'coz I actually have nothing to say on Twitter, but I couldn't resist the very odd sensation that I was 'connected' to someone I admire and respect, no matter how obliquely!

Now I just have to think of stuff to tweet about!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

amazon rocks!

So I've been ordering various Region A blu ray discs from Amazon in the US, and enjoying a range of movies and tv shows not yet available here, and today, my latest order arrived - the long-awaited 4th season of Weeds.

Eagerly, I slipped the first disc into the player... and nothing! Nada. Won't play the disc! I checked online, and discovered the unbelievable... even tho the first 3 seasons were unlocked, season 4 is locked! Can't play on my machine! And I just wasted $30 importing it!

It wasn't Amazon's fault... they do a disclaimer on all of their sales of Region A discs outside the Americas. But even so, I decided I would at least write to Amazon, let them know what happened, and ask them to pass on my complaint to their supplier.

To my amazement, they wrote back, within an hour, and offered me a full refund! I was delighted, but embarrassed... I pointed out that I didn't hold them responsible, so I didn't expect a refund at all. Which made it even better. That's the best customer service I've ever had... and I'll have no hesitation in recommending Amazon to anyone!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

waiting for the number 5

Wow, it's cold this week. Winter's arrived with a vengeance, and it's even rained a reasonable amount today.

I found myself waiting for the number 5 in Dandenong Road to get home tonight, around 6:30, and decided to try out my camera in the dark and see how it worked. Some of the pics were a bit too dark, but this one turned out really well, capturing the effect of the lamps and rain on the tram tracks at stop 34.

musical inspiration

Inspired by the delightful Wicked! last week, I've put Jersey Boys on my 'must see if I can manage it' list. Where there's a will, there's a way!

Balaclava isn't famous for balaclavas either

I never thought I'd say this about an ad, but I really like this ad for Bega cheese. Every time I see it on the telly, I actually stop and pay attention... clever stuff.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

spirit of the times

One of the joys of this time of year is the (semi-annual?) sale at Alternate Worlds, in Chapel St, Windsor. Due to money and space considerations (specifically, a shortage of both!), I don't buy many books any more, but I can't resist checking out the shelves at AW when the sale is on.

I browsed for a considerable time, over two visits, last Saturday. I was just about to leave the store empty-handed, having successfully convinced myself that I neither needed, nor could afford, to buy anything, when, during a last sweeping glance around, my eyes were drawn to a set of volumes on the bottom shelf of a case half-obscured by a table.

It was a complete run of Will Eisner's Spirit Archives, reprinting every Spirit story published in the original run from 1940 - 1952, in 26 beautifully printed hardcover volumes.

Due to the cost of each volume, I owned exactly none of them. But now, they were being offered at 20% off... a bargain I couldn't resist!

I browsed though all 26 volumes, before making my choice, of Vol. 13 (reprinting stories from the second half of 1946). And I've been immersing myself in the gorgeous art, clever stories and brilliant characters ever since. These are grade A, timeless comic stories... the cream of the art form.

I know now that I won't be able to stop at just one... and the sale is on until Friday!

even more things that I hate that other people do

The weather's turned cold and miserable... it's rainy and windy and so dark out tonight... colds and flu are everywhere about (but not, apparently, swine flu, even tho Victoria seems to have become the current world leader in the spread of the 'big S'!)... and here's something else that people do that I can't stand...
  • Picture this... you've squeezed into a packed tram or train carriage for the trip home from work. Everyone's wet or damp from the rain; it's steamy and unpleasant inside, even tho' you're protected from the wind and rain... and then, you hear it, from somewhere nearby, but out of sight... the revolting sound of the sniffer!

    Yes, apparently, scientists have proven that handkerchiefs are now unsanitary, and it's too much trouble to carry a packet of tissues, so the only option is to snort all that juicy slime back down your throat! Constantly. Loudly. Sickeningly. Maybe I have a weak stomach, but the repeated tune of the heavy sniffer at close quarters is enough to make me want to vomit. Did these people learn absolutely no manners at all when they were growing up? Do they do this in front of their family, friends or work colleagues? Or is it a trick they save to show off in front of strangers??
  • Closely related... ignorant bastards who cough (or yawn - yuk!) without covering their mouths, especially on public transport.

Monday, June 8, 2009

birthday bash

When your team plays the lowest team in the competition, it's always cause for concern. After all, they have nothing to lose; they are expected not to win, so no-one thinks less of them when they do. But if they turn the tables and upset the competition, it's not just an embarrassment, but the loss of a huge opportunity to advance.

Happily, that didn't happen to Collingwood today in the annual Queen's Birthday holiday grudge match against Melbourne.

The 'Pies shone, in an old-fashioned, cold, rainy Winter's day game, cruising to a big 66-point win, 19.12 to 8.12.

Ok, so we're not in the race for the flag this year, but it's always nice to get a couple of good wins in during the season.

hyper tense, future more imperfect

I never go to the doctor when I should; only when I absolutely have to. One reason for that is that I don't want to find out if there's anything wrong with me. As far as I'm concerned, if I'm getting along ok, I'd prefer to be ignorant of anything that I don't actually notice. Clever; I know :-)

When I went along to the GP last week for a checkup because of my chest infection, he also did a check of my blood pressure. Blood pressure (bp) is one of those things I never worry about, 'cause, you know, "it'll never happen to me". Well, this time it did... high blood pressure reading, not for the first time in the past 18 months... and now I'm officially one of the hypertense, in need of tablets to keep the bp under control so I don't wind up having a heart attack or a stroke in the future, and trying to keep myself calm and serene in case I aggravate the problem. Future imperfect.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

hello, Dali!

The NGV has been so quiet about the subject of its Winter Masterpieces exhibition this year, that I had started to think that there wasn't going to be one. But the trip to work yesterday confirmed the recent rumours!

I strolled past the Gallery in the pre-dawn chill, as work was being completed on the new signage... Dali is coming! I can't believe what an 'art geek' I've become... I can't wait for this!

Friday, June 5, 2009

crime is doomed

This week's release of Batman and Robin #1, by the All-Star Superman creative team of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, was superb comics reading.

Morrison is a true comic-book genius, and has long been one of my favourite writers. His latest twist of the Batman mythos (putting Dick Grayson into the bat-cowl and making Damien Al Ghul his new 'Robin-with-attitude') has breathed new life into the concept, and renewed my enthusiasm for the series.

Quitely's art is sensational... not photo-realistic; not cartoony, but a cartoonishly realistic in-between look, that makes Batman and Robin appear larger-than-life, without being outlandish. His style is beautifully-suited to Morrison's writing. Great new concepts include a new group of villains (with a typically Morrison cool name: 'The Circus of Strange'), and the amazing flying Batmobile! The 'year ahead' teaser page at the end made me even more eager to read the next, and subsequent, issues.

more things I hate that other people do

Just 'cause I'm in the mood for it:
  • People who smoke anywhere in public! I don't care that it's not yet illegal to smoke outdoors; I hate walking down the street and copping a face full of some stinking pig smoker's putrid exhaust, carelessly exhaled in my path. It's disgusting. If I chose to sneeze or cough on them, I wouldn't complain about their filthy habit, but I have the manners to make sure that I don't spontaneously offend strangers in the street with optional personal excretions, and they should learn to do the same!

  • Closely related: ignorant arsehole smokers who light up at outdoor cafes while normal people are trying to eat/drink/talk/avoid lung cancer/enjoy life/enjoy the 'fresh' air! Would they mind if I pissed into their dinner plates in return? The effect is similar! I almost never get to sit at an outdoor cafe in nice weather, or even in bad weather, 'cause I can't stomach the stench from the ignorant smoking class who invariably show up like an unwanted blowie as soon as you put a cup or fork to your lips!
whew... that felt good!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

the 7 wonders of Melbourne

If Melbourne city had 7 Wonders, I'd vote for the Regent Theatre to be near the top of the list.

Having risen from the ashes (literally) twice since its opening in 1929, the Regent's latest restoration, completed in 1996, has bequeathed the city with a wonderful live theatre venue... my favourite in the city... and a beautifully-preserved feature on the Collins St streetscape. Attending a show there is a treat in itself, and offers an opportunity to admire the fantastic interior of the building before and after the performance. If only they'd let me take photos inside!

I wish I could have seen it as a movie theatre, especially in its 1930's and 40's heyday, though I doubt it could have been any more impressive than it is now.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

yeah, I'm a bit wicked myself!

Day 2 after my traumatic test for 'the big S', and no word back from the medical authorities. I was still unwell with a cough and a fever, but after a day of 'just-in-case' quarantine at home, now I was bored as well.

I've never been a good patient. I've been so ill that I couldn't get out of bed, but anything less than that, and I get antsy and need to do something with my time.

So when I hadn't heard from the doctor by the middle of the day, I decided that, as a 99% unlikely case, it would be safe enough to take myself on a tram ride to the city and have lunch with a friend.

On the tram trip into the city, my mind wandered to my desire to find time to see Wicked! before the season closed. And then it came to me! The tram would get me to Collins St at around 12:30... half an hour before the matinee... I only need one ticket... surely they'd have a few single seats still available? It was worth a try!

I made a quick call, hastily transferred 'lunch' to 'coffee after work', and hurried up the steps of the Regent Theatre to the ticket office. "Do you have a single ticket available in the 'B' reserve for this arvo's performance?" I wasn't confident. The ticket guy checked his computer, paused for dramatic effect, and said "Yes"! I could hardly believe it! I was on my way to see the Wizard at last!

But the best news was yet to come. My 'B' reserve seat was in row 'W', near the back of the theatre. When I got inside, the usher told me that for today's show, row 'W' would be seated in row 'L'!!! Far from sold out, this session was only half full, so management kindly placed we few 'B' reserve paupies as far forward as the back of the last paid 'A' reserve seats... fully halfway closer to the stage, and much better than either of the seats that I'd had to see Priscilla!

And the show itself? A fantastic spectacle... terrific staging, wonderful music and singing performances, a witty and entertaining story (although I had trouble understanding some of the lyrics at times); everything I hoped for. I'd love to see it again.

Ok, so I was a bit wicked to go out when there was, like, a 1% chance that I had an infectious disease, but I had almost a whole row to myself, so I'm 99.9% certain that I didn't pass whatever is making me ill onto anyone else.

things you put off 'til it's almost too late

When Wicked! premiered at the wonderful Regent Theatre last June, I knew I wanted to go. I'd seen Priscilla, Queen of the Desert there twice in the previous 8 months, and loved every minute of both performances, so I was keen to see its successor.

But there was always something! No time, no money, other things to do, shows sold out months in advance... but after all, it will be on for ages yet. Anyway, I can never bring myself to book anything months in advance. How can I book a ticket in November to see a show in March, when I have no idea what I'll be doing by March? I might pay for the ticket in November, and then find that I'm unable to go for any number of reasons, four months later! So I put it off. Again. And again. And again.

Then last month, they announced that Wicked! has to end in early August, to make way for a new production. I made a mental note to plan something before it finished, and promptly put it back on the mental back burner.

Last weekend, while checking my diary, I realised that I'd have almost no chance to go and see it during July... meaning I virtually had only this month to get there... but how, when all the ads suggest that it's sold out for months at a time, would I get to go on such short notice?

I was focussed on the problem at last... but still no closer to an answer! Maybe I'd left it too late, and I'd just have to miss it, after all.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

brain swab!

As anyone who knows me will confirm, I'm the world's biggest coward when it comes to medical interventions. I dread injections of any sort. The thought of a blood test will have me break into a cold sweat, and I invariably need to sit or lie down when it's over, so I don't pass out. So when I noted that the test for swine flu involved a swab, I was immensely relieved.

I arrived at the Avenue hospital and handed over the order from the GP. A pleasant nurse ushered me straight into a room, and closed the door behind me. Another very abrupt one followed quickly behind, thrust a mask at me, and told me that I shouldn't be walking around without one.

As she shut the door behind her, I put the mask on. And promptly started to 'drown'!

I already had nose and throat congestion. Without instruction, I unwittingly applied the mask too tightly, and could then not get enough oxygen in my mouth and nose. I tore the mask from my face, and gasped for air.

After a couple of minutes, I tried the mask on again, this time keeping it loose enough so that sufficient air could flow in and out. It was bearable, but certainly not comfortable.

The pleasant nurse came back to do the test. I sat back in the chair as she faced away from me, writing some notes at a desk on the other side of the room, and she began to explain to me how the swab would work.

There was a short, sort of... Twilight Zone-ish delay, as my brain started to absorb the meaning of her words and mesh that with the image beaming in through my eyes. The swab was to be done by inserting a needle-like instrument the length of a short spear, in through my... nose! to... the back of my throat??? And was she really taking a run-up towards me with that thing, like a javelin-thrower?? No... that part was just my imagination at work!

Ok, so I suppose it wasn't really painful, but it was damned uncomfortable, and it sure brought a tear or two to the eye! That thing was so long and mean-looking, it could have done a frickin' brain swab for all I knew!

Luckily, it was over fast... so fast that I didn't even have enough time to make myself feel sick about the shock intrusion of my body space.

I was quickly hustled out - with the mask on! - back to my car, to head home and keep myself quarantined until the test results come back.

I felt like a total geek walking back to my car with a mask, but it was almost worth it to see a woman cross the road to avoid walking past me when she saw my mask! Nothing to fear? Some people apparently don't think so.

99% unlikely

The GP had had a very busy day... as they all seem to always have, these days.

When I told him why I was there to see him, he launched into a lecture about how many people he had seen already that day for the same reason, how I was 99% unlikely to have swine flu and likely to have a common cold, and how employers were starting to panic about the flu. Then he even described many of the symptoms that I had.

None of this was news to me... I never thought I had the flu. But I was starting to think that I had contracted some other virus that needed attention.

I was beginning to feel really stupid for coming along and wasting his time. Then he asked me how long I had had the symptoms. When I told him a week, he checked my throat, and my temperature, and immediately decided to refer me for a swine flu test... just in case! :-P

stalked by the pig...

Ok; I confess. The Monday before last, I came down with chest congestion and a fever. I don't know anyone who knows anyone who knows anyone else who is even suspected of having swine flu, and I haven't travelled anywhere lately where I might have been likely to pick it up, so I assumed it would be just a 24-hour bug, and let it go.

As the week wore on, I wore down... the fever bubbled away, the chest congestion was complemented by a slight cough and a sore throat, I had mild aches and pains, and I got tired. Still nothing to worry about.

On the weekend, as I settled back to watch a movie, I felt a strong pain across my chest. This was a worry. It felt like the last time I had a chest infection. I couldn't get to a doctor on the weekend, but over the next 24 hours, the chest pain faded. The other symptoms stuck around tho.

On Monday morning at the office, the HR Manager, who'd been enquiring after my health the whole previous week, alerted me (personally!) that plans were about to be implemented to send home any staff suspected of being infectious... in case they had the dreaded swine flu!

I was sure I didn't have 'the big S', but I took the hint, and booked an appointment at the GP for that evening.