Anzac Day

Went into town today to see the big Anzac Day parade. It was very moving to see the old veterans march by, some of them still stepping quite militarily and all very proud as far as I could see. It was also interesting to see the Vietnam veterans. In contrast to Britain, Australia was involved in that controversial conflict. The crowds had turned out in record numbers, including an awful lot of young people, which was heartening to see.

Scribbling

May have some transcribing work to do soon. Fingers crossed indeed. It has always been my dream to sustain myself my writing whether it be pure creative writing (ideally) or journalism or translating or proofreading. Perhaps I can do all of the above and earn a crust in the process? Now, that would be a fine thing, to be sure.

Meanwhile, I'm wondering if I should get myself an ergonomic mouse. I find that after a few hours' work on the 'puter I feel a strain in my wrist and lower arm. Don't want to end up an IT casualty, after all.

Also, I will be doing some project work for a friend who is slightly snowed under at the moment. Have to keep those grey cells ticking over, don't you know?

Jobs

Once more I find myself looking for a job. It's a bit disheartening but I'll just have to hang in there. I think my c.v. is alright enough and I'm willing to put in 'an honest day's work for an honest day's pay', so why shouldn't I find a job. Ideally, I'd work at home and try to make a living writing and translating but at the moment that type of endeavour emains a bit tentative and elusive. Oh well..

Slow and sleepy

The music festival this arvo was pretty good although the weather was a tad on the dodgy side. Saw a great folk-type band that played some Irish inspired music and also saw fit to launch the odd Serbian war cry. Not sure what that was all about. There was also a great Aboriginal singer/song writer Kerianne Cox who really connected well with the audience. She sang a lovely song about coming home that went down very well with yours truly. She has a powerful but very smooth voice and her songs were very well crafted.

Following her were a load of oafs and philistines from the Blue Mountains (their description); comical, off-beat a-capella band of blokes. By that time it started raining properly so we headed home for coffee. Enjoyable afternoon.

Music

Today, a Sunday in autumn, I am due to put in an appearance at a local music festival. All morning I've been seeing large trucks carrying portaloos and other festival paraphernalia towards Birchgrove Park where the annual festival is held. Unfortunately, it has also been raining with a vengeance and there is a strong wind. So, either I or my companion for this arvo may well cry off and 'give it a miss'. Would be a shame as it's supposed to be a good music festival and, moreover, it's free.

People around here really seem to love their music. There are pubs that have live music, there are the big venues for the big stars, and almost every gathering of some kind has some sort of musical entertainment thrown in. One thing I didn't realise before was how big country and western music is in Australia. I suppose it makes sense with the whole outback culture; the buckaroos, the stations and so on, but I just wasn't aware of it. Having grown up in Europe I tended to regard country music as a bit naff but recently I was at a friend's house and we had a few drinks after which she played a few old country albums. Vinyl, you know, and it was wonderful. White blues, I suppose. There were some immortal lyrics sung by strong crystal-clear voices. Just fantastic. So there you go. Never judge an lp by its cover.

Making money

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View from a tower

View from the building on Williams Street where I used to work until recently. You can see Darlinghurst stretching away there nicely. Haven't explored the area in any great detail yet but I think Oxford Street may have more of a buzz going on. Ah well. Time moves on and takes no prisoners, that much we all know. Tempus fugit and all that, eh? Still, never mind. Don't sweat the small stuff, isn't that the trusted advice?

Puppy nonsense

Of course, everything remotely connected to US president Obama is being lapped up so I shouldn't be surprised at the recent media frenzy over the new White House doggy. The puns were a-plenty in the reports from the various news outlets. They couldn't get enough of it. Puppy dog story, Obama, family pictures; sheer national bliss for the Americans. They certainly like their schmaltz, that much is certain.

Still, it makes for better PR than Bush's many moronic gaffes and Cheney's homodical hunting tendencies. Read the puppy's lips: Many more chunks!

Politics

I am not big on politics but my friends here seem obsessed with it. Personally, I don't have many illusions regarding the trustworthiness or lack thereof of politicians in general. I prefer to focus the mind on arts and spiritual matters although I realise that you can't do without politics entirely. Down here, corruption on the political stage seems to be a very popular talking point. Pfff...politics..who needs it?