Monday, May 31, 2004

Martini, Anyone?

I'm having a love affair with the Jet Set Modern ezine. Luscious photographs and interesting articles of all things 'moderne'.

[Link via the wonderful Scrubbles]

Friday, May 28, 2004

Where's Barney?

Don't let anyone tell you that New Zealanders don't know how to have a good time.

Moving to Metropolis

I moved to Sydney from Adelaide, South Australia at the very tail end of the 1980's. My experience of moving to Sydney, and of living in Sydney, has been a very positive one and quite different from many of the experiences mentioned in this article. I am unashamedly an urbanite though, and to me part of the joy of living in a big city is the variety of possible lifestyles.

The experiences of living in the outer Sydney suburbs vs living in my suburb of Newtown in the 'inner west' for example are radically different. I think the trick is to find a niche that suits. This can take a short while or a long while, and might even never happen, but I think that the payoff can be wonderful.

I live in a place that I love passionately. A place where I can walk down the street and have access to wonderful bookshops and cafes, say hello to friendly neighbours and see people of all ages and orientations mixing together. Sure, it isn't 100% perfect, I could do with a bit more living space, cleaner streets and a better deal for the homeless people who seem to be on the increase in numbers - but it's still a lively and interesting place to live.

Thursday, May 27, 2004

I'm Speechless (well almost).

Just to prove that the Australian Prime Minister not only looks like Mr Magoo, but is just as short sighted.

Poor little Johnny Howard, it must be hard living with your feet firmly planted in the 1950's whilst the rest of your country is determined to live like it's the 21st century.

Put Down That French Fry!

It saddens me, but doesn't really surprise me, to read articles like this one about toddler obesity. Although the article is about the UK, I'm sure that Australia isn't too far behind.

In a timely coincidence this article about MTV's ban of advertising for "Supersize Me" in the same paper seems just that bit more ludicrous, don't you think?

The Art of Conversation

So last night was a blast. We went to the pub and I just about drank my own body weight in sweet, sweet beer. While most of the pub was focused on the big game, our conversation ranged from Abba rarities to essential oil blends via the ugliness of cinema carpets.

We know how to work the art of conversation.

So I got home too late and too drunk, so now I'm too hung-over. 5pm, please hurry up and get here.

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

So Over It, I Can Just About Taste It

An email I just sent to my flatmate:
"Hey there,

I'm having a bad day... how about you?

Consequently, even though I'm like on my last $20, I'm going to go drinking tonight with the boys. So I won't be home for dinner, I'll be drinking my calories instead.

Andrew"

Says it all, really.

Some of my best friends are...

It's funny how your life can take turns that you never expected. I found a few curious parallels with this article (even I don't agree with all her arguments, and I certainly think that her 'Queer Eye' influenced generalisations about gay men are quite silly).

Years ago I was a gay man with a large coterie of gay friends and a few close straight friends. In the space of only about 5 or 6 years that situation has almost reversed itself. Partly because I met a new group of straight friends who were all close to my ex-partner, and partly because quite a few of my gay friends have moved away, drifted away or sadly passed away. I wasn't always a good friend, sometimes I let people drift out of my life by not nurturing those friendships as well as I should have.

So here I am single at the tail end of my thirties finding myself spending as much, if not more, time talking about the impending babies of my friends as I do spending time dishing with my gay friends. It isn't bad, I love all my friends, but I have to say that it isn't giving me as many opportunities to meet guys.

A little while ago I resolved to try and get some of that balance back by being more proactive about seeing my old gay friends. So far so good.

Yeah, right.

From today's horoscope:
"You are in control. The power is always in your hands to choose what you will do. And if not what you will do, what you will think. Why then choose to think negatively or gloomily. Happiness is a mind-set. You have an open book today to make positive choices and harness the creative powers that lie within the day and within your Self. If you are in a reflective or meditative state of mind, follow that course. This is not only a romantic night but also a creative one. Perfect for romance or doing something nice to your home!"

If today is an 'open book', I think I've turned to the chapter titled "Let's Feel Harrassed, Overworked, Under Appreciated and Completely Pissed Off!". My work consists largely of deadlines set by other people, and this week there are three of them. Major ones.

Hey, but on the good side tonight is the night for doing something romantic or nice to my home! Maybe I should take my living room out for dinner and combine the two?...

Friday, May 21, 2004

Gorgeousness

Some days Sydney is a fantastic place to be.

Today is one of those clear, mild, late Autumn days that are so beautiful here. The sky is an enormous big blue bowl, the sun is shining and all the cuties are out giving their warm weather clothes one of their last outings. Life's good.

Delayed, and Out Of Timetable Order...

I have a new Arch Nemesis.

Should it take nearly two hours to get from St Leonards to Newtown, a trip that normally takes about 45 minutes on a bad day? Two train trips, a bus, and eventually a taxi were involved in this little escapade last night, courtesy of the train line over the Bridge being closed for track work.

Thursday, May 20, 2004

Sugar Rush

Thanks to this I am heading for the world's biggest sugar crash. Not only did I eat my own body weight in donuts, pancakes and fairy bread, but I went and won a huge jar of sweets by guessing the correct number in the jar.

425, apparently.

If you are going to get type 2 diabetes, it might as well be for a good cause!

Weirdly, the only other competition I have ever won was by guessing the number of coffee beans in a jar. I can't begin to tell you how jazzed I was THAT day.

The Tabula Rasa

Clean slate. Blank page. Tabula rasa.

Lately I've been re-reading one of my favourite books on the subject of writing, 'Writing Down the Bones' by Natalie Goldberg. Amongst many things, she writes about writing as a creative endeavour, as therapy, as meditation and importantly the practice of writing as a way of getting better at it. To be a better writer, write.

So here I am, like thousands before and thousands after me, writing down the bones of whatever crosses my mind. Expect the unexpected, I know I do.