Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Busker
I always pay a busker if I take a photo. We gave $2. While his outfit was ok, he didn't actually do much. I thought he would make the most fabulous drag. He had cheekbones to die for. Not sure if you can see it in the photo, but the dog was 'lifting its leg'.
Decaying Mansion
I rather like the idea of living in a decaying mansion. Buckets to catch water from roof leaks, some crumbling plaster and concrete, water running off the roof because the spouting has rusted, the odd door that won't close, dubious wiring, geckos coming living in wall cracks a carpets a bit threadbare. I could go on but it might be little more extreme than shabby chic.
Who lives in such a place? Well, if the media is correct, Aung Sun Su Kyi does. Unfortunately this is another post that has fallen flat on its face as I can't find interior photos of her house on New University Road in Rangoon. You'll have to make do with a couple of what I could find.
It seems it may not entirely be her house though, with a dispute between her brother and herself before the courts. The inheritance dispute started in 2001 and is ongoing and law suits and counter law suits have been filed. Renovations to the house did start after it was damaged by a cyclone, but the brother took out a successful injunction for the work to cease.
I am not sure if this is pre or post the cyclone. The roof appears to be in reasonable repair.
Here is a little closer. It does appear to be rather shabby.
This photo from Mizzima, a Burmese news site.
This may or may not be the interior of the house. I am unable to verify.
Who lives in such a place? Well, if the media is correct, Aung Sun Su Kyi does. Unfortunately this is another post that has fallen flat on its face as I can't find interior photos of her house on New University Road in Rangoon. You'll have to make do with a couple of what I could find.
It seems it may not entirely be her house though, with a dispute between her brother and herself before the courts. The inheritance dispute started in 2001 and is ongoing and law suits and counter law suits have been filed. Renovations to the house did start after it was damaged by a cyclone, but the brother took out a successful injunction for the work to cease.
I am not sure if this is pre or post the cyclone. The roof appears to be in reasonable repair.
Here is a little closer. It does appear to be rather shabby.
This photo from Mizzima, a Burmese news site.
This may or may not be the interior of the house. I am unable to verify.
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Tube Face
Oh, not sure that I like the changes to You Tube. I may get used to them. I liked the old recommended videos way better. I decided to turn off the feature where people can see what you 'liked', 'commented on' and 'favourited'.
Finally Face Book has done what people actually wanted, that is to be able to sort what friends post in order of posting. It still seems to be unable to be set to default to this setting, but thank someone at least the setting has returned. Just as good, the hunt around to find a list of your friends is over. They are all listed down one side of the page. How obvious. How sensible. Why not before.
Finally Face Book has done what people actually wanted, that is to be able to sort what friends post in order of posting. It still seems to be unable to be set to default to this setting, but thank someone at least the setting has returned. Just as good, the hunt around to find a list of your friends is over. They are all listed down one side of the page. How obvious. How sensible. Why not before.
Australian time calls
I suppose it is no issue to the US, or to Russia and it Australia is shouldn't be so complicated either.
ABC News Radio, a national programme, broadcasts to all of Australia simultaneously. Radio National also broadcasts to all of Australia, but I think it does some time shifting of programmes, so you don't get so many time calls.
Sorting the logistics of different time zones for our national broadcaster must be a nightmare. It is a bit of a nightmare for us listeners.
While Australia has three time zones, western, central and eastern, come daylight saving, this increases to five.
Easier for me to use the capital city names rather than state names. Eastern time zone, Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart all move forward one hour, but Brisbane does not.
Adelaide on central time moves forward an hour, but in the same zone, Darwin does not.
And nothing moves Perth in the western zone. They even took a vote on it.
So on the radio, we hear something like this.
It is 11.16 in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales, 10.16 in Queensland, 10.46 in South Australia, 9.46 in Nothern Territory and 8.16 in West Australia. I have heard it on the radio before, but not of late perhaps because it is the same, and 10.46 in Broken Hill. Although Broken Hill is in outback NSW, it takes it time from South Australia.
I hope that clears up any confusion you may have. It is clear as mud to me.
ABC News Radio, a national programme, broadcasts to all of Australia simultaneously. Radio National also broadcasts to all of Australia, but I think it does some time shifting of programmes, so you don't get so many time calls.
Sorting the logistics of different time zones for our national broadcaster must be a nightmare. It is a bit of a nightmare for us listeners.
While Australia has three time zones, western, central and eastern, come daylight saving, this increases to five.
Easier for me to use the capital city names rather than state names. Eastern time zone, Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart all move forward one hour, but Brisbane does not.
Adelaide on central time moves forward an hour, but in the same zone, Darwin does not.
And nothing moves Perth in the western zone. They even took a vote on it.
So on the radio, we hear something like this.
It is 11.16 in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales, 10.16 in Queensland, 10.46 in South Australia, 9.46 in Nothern Territory and 8.16 in West Australia. I have heard it on the radio before, but not of late perhaps because it is the same, and 10.46 in Broken Hill. Although Broken Hill is in outback NSW, it takes it time from South Australia.
I hope that clears up any confusion you may have. It is clear as mud to me.
Monday, December 05, 2011
Bali Boy
What does an Indonesian judge earn? What about a police prosecutor? I would imagine in their lifetime they might earn AU$300,000.
It rather strikes me that the next young person, perhaps a teenager too, might be dealt with rather severely by Indonesia's judicial system should they note that Bali Boy, the convicted fourteen year old drug user, profits by the rumoured $300,000 back in here in Australia by selling his story to tabloid media.
You can be sure Australia applied a very firm hand to this matter with a good result for Bali Boy. Australia's firm hand may not be so effective next time, but why would Bali Boy care. He is fine now that he is safely home. Screw everyone else.
I hope the lad resumes his life and we hear no more of him. Should we see him in tabloid media, it will show serious disrespect to Indonesia and there are already so many ways Indonesia earns disrespect, it does not need any put on it from elsewhere, least of all by a fourteen year old kid.
It rather strikes me that the next young person, perhaps a teenager too, might be dealt with rather severely by Indonesia's judicial system should they note that Bali Boy, the convicted fourteen year old drug user, profits by the rumoured $300,000 back in here in Australia by selling his story to tabloid media.
You can be sure Australia applied a very firm hand to this matter with a good result for Bali Boy. Australia's firm hand may not be so effective next time, but why would Bali Boy care. He is fine now that he is safely home. Screw everyone else.
I hope the lad resumes his life and we hear no more of him. Should we see him in tabloid media, it will show serious disrespect to Indonesia and there are already so many ways Indonesia earns disrespect, it does not need any put on it from elsewhere, least of all by a fourteen year old kid.
Wedding oddities
The setting was excellent choice, at Sis in Law's, on a lawn bordered by a circular driveway and rose beds and the front fence. A white marquee had been erected, one with three open sides for the ceremony. Older guests had chairs on the lawn to sit on while the rest of the 120 stood on the driveway. The theme colours were lilac and purple and the colours worked quite well.
In the centre of the marquee stood the groom, with his and Sis in Law's combined seven children either side of him. Dreaded Nephew escorted his mother to centre stage and vows were taken. My ears pricked up when the celebrant said something like, marriage being a legally binding whatever between a man and a woman. I nudged Bone Doctor who was standing beside me. "Is this where we should jump and down and protest?" We didn't.
I felt an eye rolling moment when each of the nine of the wedding group poured different coloured sands into a glass vase. But as it went on, I thought it was very strong symbolism. The different coloured sands can never be separated. Very nice idea indeed.
What was odd? R was concerned that his suit did not look right. Don't worry R, there will be at least one person there in jeans. There were more than one.
Four young women were wearing absurd shoes. Now, if you are going to wear very high heels, please make sure you can walk elegantly in them. If you teeter or wobble or have an odd posture when wearing heels, stick to your ugg boots.
The sky was overcast and cool breeze was gently blowing. Had it have been sunny and hot, we would have all cooked while standing there. Had it rained, well, I don't know what would have happened. They really gambled on the weather and won.
Is it appropriate for guests to hold a stubby of beer while the ceremony is proceeding? I wouldn't have thought so, but at least four men and one women had one in their hands, taking the occasional swig.
There seemed to be two female professional photographers. They may well have been amateurs and friends of the bride, I don't know. But they had big cameras multiple lenses. They were nicely dressed, but neither had shoes on. They moved around the lawn snapping away in stockinged feet.
Chainsaw Niece read a speech. Oh no, I said to Bone Doctor. CN never stops talking and rarely finishes one sentence before starting another. I can occasionally make sense of what she saying. So why get her to read the speech? She read it perfectly, well paced, loud enough to be heard and with good diction, yet it did not sound rehearsed. Another really nice moment.
The truly surprising thing was that among the 120 guests, not one phone rang or beeped during the ceremony.
We adjourned to the side and open area of the house for drinks and nibbles, which lasted about thirty minutes, and then we headed off to the reception, a very short drive away. Although we left as soon as we had eaten, there were still speeches to come, telegrams to read and a band to play for dancing.
I wandered off from the reception with thoughts of throwing myself in the creek if I did not get food soon. The creek is tidal and breeds fabulously large mosquitoes. Although the camera decided to focus on a twig rather than the distance, the local Pelican Cafe can just be seen. Damn, I just googled it. It is famous for fish and chips. I could have gone and gotten some.
I changed my mind about jumping into the creek when I realised how muddy it was. Mud a pretty corpse does not make. The creek is tidal and under a bridge seawater was pouring in through a narrow opening. The park on the opposite bank looked very peaceful and inviting. I think R took the bride and groom there for photos to be taken.
Public halls in the country are to be treasured. This one is in excellent condition and was just the right size.
In the centre of the marquee stood the groom, with his and Sis in Law's combined seven children either side of him. Dreaded Nephew escorted his mother to centre stage and vows were taken. My ears pricked up when the celebrant said something like, marriage being a legally binding whatever between a man and a woman. I nudged Bone Doctor who was standing beside me. "Is this where we should jump and down and protest?" We didn't.
I felt an eye rolling moment when each of the nine of the wedding group poured different coloured sands into a glass vase. But as it went on, I thought it was very strong symbolism. The different coloured sands can never be separated. Very nice idea indeed.
What was odd? R was concerned that his suit did not look right. Don't worry R, there will be at least one person there in jeans. There were more than one.
Four young women were wearing absurd shoes. Now, if you are going to wear very high heels, please make sure you can walk elegantly in them. If you teeter or wobble or have an odd posture when wearing heels, stick to your ugg boots.
The sky was overcast and cool breeze was gently blowing. Had it have been sunny and hot, we would have all cooked while standing there. Had it rained, well, I don't know what would have happened. They really gambled on the weather and won.
Is it appropriate for guests to hold a stubby of beer while the ceremony is proceeding? I wouldn't have thought so, but at least four men and one women had one in their hands, taking the occasional swig.
There seemed to be two female professional photographers. They may well have been amateurs and friends of the bride, I don't know. But they had big cameras multiple lenses. They were nicely dressed, but neither had shoes on. They moved around the lawn snapping away in stockinged feet.
Chainsaw Niece read a speech. Oh no, I said to Bone Doctor. CN never stops talking and rarely finishes one sentence before starting another. I can occasionally make sense of what she saying. So why get her to read the speech? She read it perfectly, well paced, loud enough to be heard and with good diction, yet it did not sound rehearsed. Another really nice moment.
The truly surprising thing was that among the 120 guests, not one phone rang or beeped during the ceremony.
We adjourned to the side and open area of the house for drinks and nibbles, which lasted about thirty minutes, and then we headed off to the reception, a very short drive away. Although we left as soon as we had eaten, there were still speeches to come, telegrams to read and a band to play for dancing.
I wandered off from the reception with thoughts of throwing myself in the creek if I did not get food soon. The creek is tidal and breeds fabulously large mosquitoes. Although the camera decided to focus on a twig rather than the distance, the local Pelican Cafe can just be seen. Damn, I just googled it. It is famous for fish and chips. I could have gone and gotten some.
I changed my mind about jumping into the creek when I realised how muddy it was. Mud a pretty corpse does not make. The creek is tidal and under a bridge seawater was pouring in through a narrow opening. The park on the opposite bank looked very peaceful and inviting. I think R took the bride and groom there for photos to be taken.
Public halls in the country are to be treasured. This one is in excellent condition and was just the right size.
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Wedding
I suppose it is no surprise that Tradie Brother wasn't invited to his ex wife's wedding, but we, the rest of the Highriser side of the family were. The appropriateness of us attending was discussed among ourselves. We all like Sis in Law, and she is the mother of our nieces and nephew. The nieces and nephews are Mother's grandchildren, the grandchildren she and late Step Father took our about on Sunday drives, beach outings, spoiling them and loving them as grandparents do. They all treat Mother with love, affection and respect, rather better than Mother' s own children do.
The wedding, ok we must attend. It is obligation. I will be thinking about Tradie Brother, home alone, while everyone he knows in his life is attending his ex wife's wedding. Ah well, crap happens.
R and I had discussed the last wedding we attended, which we thought was Tradie Brother and Sis in Law's wedding some twenty five years ago. We both had totally forgotten about R's Sister's wedding which we organised in Sydney when they came to Australia in 2005 I think. I wrote about it at the time.
The invitation to Sis in Law's wedding said 1pm ceremony at their home, 3pm reception at the local hall.
This was also the only day before christmas that Sister could fit in a visit to us for us to see Little Jo. We won't be showing Little Jo the Myer christmas windows this year, it seems. Sister and Bone Doctor were irresponsible as usual. They went off for a walk around the park, and then bought brunch and arrived back at the Highrise at the time we planned to leave. Little Jo helped R erect the christmas tree and I showed her my advent calendar and we found the number 3 window to open.
The wedding was lovely. There were nibbles and drinks afterwards, but with 120 people, the snacks did not last long and people were urged off to the reception at 2.30.
The drinks were plentiful, but we wanted food. We did all sort of things to amuse and entertain ourselves. Sister had to leave at 4.30 to drive to Sorrento to get the ferry home for a lighting up of her town's christmas tree. No food for them.
The food from the caterers arrived just before 6. We had been sitting there for over three hours with no food, nothing to do but chat, get up, go outside, come back in, go to where the kids were playing, filling in time. The food was late as the staff at the caterers were all new kids, because Sis in Law manages the catering business and all the usual staff were at the wedding.
The food was supposed to arrive at 5, but I just don't get what we supposed to do between our reception arrival time of 3pm, and 5pm when the food was to be served. Many of the blokes just got horribly drunk. I gulped down my food when it did eventually arrived and immediately started to gee up R up to leave. Oh, did I add that Step Mother asked us to drop her back to Tradie Brother's, where she was staying? Although it was a diversion, not too bad. I wanted to see Tradie Brother anyway, just to make sure he was coping with the day when his ex wife married. Step Mother had drunk quite enough, so it was good to dump her back at Tradie Brother's house. Brother had his evening outdoor fire going. They will both get have a nice evening chatting.
Ann O'Dyne asked me to post about the wedding. She said it is in the genes that women like weddings. I will, but this is a summary of the day we had to do.
The wedding, ok we must attend. It is obligation. I will be thinking about Tradie Brother, home alone, while everyone he knows in his life is attending his ex wife's wedding. Ah well, crap happens.
R and I had discussed the last wedding we attended, which we thought was Tradie Brother and Sis in Law's wedding some twenty five years ago. We both had totally forgotten about R's Sister's wedding which we organised in Sydney when they came to Australia in 2005 I think. I wrote about it at the time.
The invitation to Sis in Law's wedding said 1pm ceremony at their home, 3pm reception at the local hall.
This was also the only day before christmas that Sister could fit in a visit to us for us to see Little Jo. We won't be showing Little Jo the Myer christmas windows this year, it seems. Sister and Bone Doctor were irresponsible as usual. They went off for a walk around the park, and then bought brunch and arrived back at the Highrise at the time we planned to leave. Little Jo helped R erect the christmas tree and I showed her my advent calendar and we found the number 3 window to open.
The wedding was lovely. There were nibbles and drinks afterwards, but with 120 people, the snacks did not last long and people were urged off to the reception at 2.30.
The drinks were plentiful, but we wanted food. We did all sort of things to amuse and entertain ourselves. Sister had to leave at 4.30 to drive to Sorrento to get the ferry home for a lighting up of her town's christmas tree. No food for them.
The food from the caterers arrived just before 6. We had been sitting there for over three hours with no food, nothing to do but chat, get up, go outside, come back in, go to where the kids were playing, filling in time. The food was late as the staff at the caterers were all new kids, because Sis in Law manages the catering business and all the usual staff were at the wedding.
The food was supposed to arrive at 5, but I just don't get what we supposed to do between our reception arrival time of 3pm, and 5pm when the food was to be served. Many of the blokes just got horribly drunk. I gulped down my food when it did eventually arrived and immediately started to gee up R up to leave. Oh, did I add that Step Mother asked us to drop her back to Tradie Brother's, where she was staying? Although it was a diversion, not too bad. I wanted to see Tradie Brother anyway, just to make sure he was coping with the day when his ex wife married. Step Mother had drunk quite enough, so it was good to dump her back at Tradie Brother's house. Brother had his evening outdoor fire going. They will both get have a nice evening chatting.
Ann O'Dyne asked me to post about the wedding. She said it is in the genes that women like weddings. I will, but this is a summary of the day we had to do.
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Making Up
Something light to start your weekend?
I looked for a particular track from the eighties on You Tube. I found it, Kim Wilde's Cambodia if you are interested. It led me to another. Before I knew it, an hour had passed listening to eighties music. I had forgotten how good it was, well some of it.
Ah, the good old days, when men were real men, and wore makeup.
Pete Burns from Dead or Alive. Search for his photo now. He is a tragedy.
The less said about the present day Gary Glitter the better, but he epitomised glam rock. His look now is very different.
Melbourne's own Red Symons, back then from the marvellous band Skyhooks, now a breakfast radio announcer on ABC Melbourne. How did he become an old man?
Holly Johnston from Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Age may not weary them, but it doesn't do much for their desirability.
Adam Ant. He disappeared in the nineties. If you search for his present day photo, you may guess what he did for his lost decade.
Phillip Oakey from Human League. Balding, grey haired and just old, albeit trim looking.
Later thought. This is a boring post and I just know you won't bother searching for their present day photos, because you probably don't really care. So, I will do the job for you.
Pete Burns
Gary Glitter
Red Symons
Holly Johnston
Adam Ant
Phillip Oakey
I looked for a particular track from the eighties on You Tube. I found it, Kim Wilde's Cambodia if you are interested. It led me to another. Before I knew it, an hour had passed listening to eighties music. I had forgotten how good it was, well some of it.
Ah, the good old days, when men were real men, and wore makeup.
Pete Burns from Dead or Alive. Search for his photo now. He is a tragedy.
The less said about the present day Gary Glitter the better, but he epitomised glam rock. His look now is very different.
Melbourne's own Red Symons, back then from the marvellous band Skyhooks, now a breakfast radio announcer on ABC Melbourne. How did he become an old man?
Holly Johnston from Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Age may not weary them, but it doesn't do much for their desirability.
Adam Ant. He disappeared in the nineties. If you search for his present day photo, you may guess what he did for his lost decade.
Phillip Oakey from Human League. Balding, grey haired and just old, albeit trim looking.
Later thought. This is a boring post and I just know you won't bother searching for their present day photos, because you probably don't really care. So, I will do the job for you.
Pete Burns
Gary Glitter
Red Symons
Holly Johnston
Adam Ant
Phillip Oakey
Friday, December 02, 2011
Nice Thing
Among the photos of the Bolter (my paternal grandmother), I found one of a house in Devonport, Tasmania which she had some connection with. The Bolter had written the exact address in white ink, as was the habit then. I checked on a couple of sites and the house is still there and I could see it with Street View. I scanned and printed out the photo and sent a copy to owner with a note, including my email address.
Our neighbour back in the eighties gave us a photo of our old house in East Malvern taken just after it was built, 1934 I think. I scanned that and printed it out and sent a copy with a note to the present occupants, including my email address.
R said it was a nice thing to do. I thought so. I realise not everyone is interested in history or buildings as much as I am, not everyone has email, though I did include my name and where I live, so I could be found in the phone book, but there was no response from either.
People have been very kind and helpful to me on the internet over the years. I hope I have always thanked them. I think I have.
Sending the photos cost less than a dollar, nothing, and a little time. A lack of response will not stop me doing such thing again, but I am slightly disappointed. Perhaps I am just being silly and expecting too much. They didn't ask for the photos. I just thought they might find them interesting.
Our neighbour back in the eighties gave us a photo of our old house in East Malvern taken just after it was built, 1934 I think. I scanned that and printed it out and sent a copy with a note to the present occupants, including my email address.
R said it was a nice thing to do. I thought so. I realise not everyone is interested in history or buildings as much as I am, not everyone has email, though I did include my name and where I live, so I could be found in the phone book, but there was no response from either.
People have been very kind and helpful to me on the internet over the years. I hope I have always thanked them. I think I have.
Sending the photos cost less than a dollar, nothing, and a little time. A lack of response will not stop me doing such thing again, but I am slightly disappointed. Perhaps I am just being silly and expecting too much. They didn't ask for the photos. I just thought they might find them interesting.
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Penang Railway
The Penang Hill railway opened in 1923 and is a funicular railway on the island of Penang, Malaysia. It closed for renovations in 2010 and reopened a bit more than twelve months later, with a very different system, including new aircon, and I must say rather characterless, trains made in Switzerland.
In the old train, you were quite aware of the temperature drop as you rose into the Penang Hill, about five degrees C, from below in George Town.
Our friend who sent the pictured brochure, remarked that the trip is now incredibly quick compared to the old train. I expect you can't hang out the window anymore and take in the smells and sounds of the jungle. It is still a funicular train though, being one going up is connected to one going down, both assisting each other.
For your pleasure and education, I have found mercifully short You Tube clips to show you both the old and new trains.
The new one looks terribly sleek.
This one is of the older train, so of course the video must be a bit longer as the train is slower. You can see a train passing, the train controls, meaningless as they are, the driver exercising his hands and the George Town skyline as the train nears the bottom.
And what is to see on Penang Hill? Quite a lot really. A few of the attractions are featured in this video without very much of the train. You can also look at the website http://penanghill.gov.my/ too.
In the old train, you were quite aware of the temperature drop as you rose into the Penang Hill, about five degrees C, from below in George Town.
Our friend who sent the pictured brochure, remarked that the trip is now incredibly quick compared to the old train. I expect you can't hang out the window anymore and take in the smells and sounds of the jungle. It is still a funicular train though, being one going up is connected to one going down, both assisting each other.
For your pleasure and education, I have found mercifully short You Tube clips to show you both the old and new trains.
The new one looks terribly sleek.
This one is of the older train, so of course the video must be a bit longer as the train is slower. You can see a train passing, the train controls, meaningless as they are, the driver exercising his hands and the George Town skyline as the train nears the bottom.
And what is to see on Penang Hill? Quite a lot really. A few of the attractions are featured in this video without very much of the train. You can also look at the website http://penanghill.gov.my/ too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)