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Sunday, 22 November 2009
Saturday, 21 November 2009
November Evenings
Has climate change showed its hand more obviously this past week? Summer has not officially arrived in the Antipodes, but dry radiating high temperatures of between 35 to 45 degrees Celsius have already been recorded in the south-eastern corner of Australia. Located nearer the ocean, I should be grateful for the cool breezes that inevitably blow through my house windows after a roasting evening. The crispy fresh comfort of subtemperate zones are easily forgotten as one moves into the sometimes bewildering adjustment with the energy-depleting and mind-harassing feel of raised temperatures. Yet, this also means to be more engaged with the environment, when relief sweat infuses our skin with the saltiness of beach air and the spurting growth of plants in response to the changed climate.
The sunlight was still strong and shone straight into my group's originally seated table at the Belgian Beer cafe in Cammeray, north of the Sydney CBD. Charmaine chose a curry, intitially surprising of a Belgian theme, but then one thought of the imapct of its African colonies on its cuisine back in the mother country.The cafe is well known for mussels cooked in a beer-infused broth (which Chris had), but I was drawn to the double-cooked crispy pork belly - ah, very rich, esepcially with the skin on. It did not match my expectations formed from what I savoured at the Kaiser S'tuben in Terry Hills, another suburb of the greater Sydney area. Nevertheless, the pub scene beside the dining area was lively and buzzing, filled mostly with suntanned twenty somethings having obvious relief from an already hot day in the middle of November. The cherry beer I had a glass of was most agreeable.
Crooner David Campbell was profusely sweating away as he boogied and danced through his on-stage performance at the Norths Club down the road from the cafe. David has somewhat successfully transformed his career from an excellent start in Les Miserables to a swing and jazz band artiste, who effectively engages his audience with flair in variety and personal charisma. The positive vibes with an audience played their significance when I attended a UTS Alumni panel discussion on perspectives of careers in the next few years. It had been a temperature, traffic and logistics challenge to get up to Sydney CBD from Wollongong after work, but the forum was worth very minute. The event was tipped off by Joyce, who even reserved a seat for me in a fully packed auditorium at the UTS School of Architecture & Design.
The sunlight was still strong and shone straight into my group's originally seated table at the Belgian Beer cafe in Cammeray, north of the Sydney CBD. Charmaine chose a curry, intitially surprising of a Belgian theme, but then one thought of the imapct of its African colonies on its cuisine back in the mother country.The cafe is well known for mussels cooked in a beer-infused broth (which Chris had), but I was drawn to the double-cooked crispy pork belly - ah, very rich, esepcially with the skin on. It did not match my expectations formed from what I savoured at the Kaiser S'tuben in Terry Hills, another suburb of the greater Sydney area. Nevertheless, the pub scene beside the dining area was lively and buzzing, filled mostly with suntanned twenty somethings having obvious relief from an already hot day in the middle of November. The cherry beer I had a glass of was most agreeable.
Crooner David Campbell was profusely sweating away as he boogied and danced through his on-stage performance at the Norths Club down the road from the cafe. David has somewhat successfully transformed his career from an excellent start in Les Miserables to a swing and jazz band artiste, who effectively engages his audience with flair in variety and personal charisma. The positive vibes with an audience played their significance when I attended a UTS Alumni panel discussion on perspectives of careers in the next few years. It had been a temperature, traffic and logistics challenge to get up to Sydney CBD from Wollongong after work, but the forum was worth very minute. The event was tipped off by Joyce, who even reserved a seat for me in a fully packed auditorium at the UTS School of Architecture & Design.
Friday, 13 November 2009
Thursday, 12 November 2009
An Evening in New Sydney City
With a couple more hours of sunlight left, I found myself in the hustle and buzzle of a city workforce rushing home, transients just arriving and yet others in neither mode. Business souls, holiday makers and family groups may have to reckon what can they do in such an odd and yet interesting time, before shops shut up, the moon comes up and the city centre reverts to another world?
Many in Asia may not find it a big deal, but having a major department store extend its opening hours to 7pm in Australia is, on any day. After work hours, I can glide into watching people watch goods on display, of having that leisurely time to scout for things that I may or do not really need. This can pace the rush at suburban stations, compared to situations when suddenly there is nothing much else to do in the city, except directly go home. However, shopping, cinemas, food and arcades themselves are not that sufficiently attractive to retain a lively presence after hours in a world class city. There needs to be more.
Maybe it is the prelude to exclusive events, where you make eager beavers hype up the mood and atmosphere by making them queue outside a night club at King Street Wharf, or even in a cause-related screening of the latest re-make of A Christmas Carol at the Imax Darling Harbour. It can be the lighting up of the three storey high indoor Christmas tree at the QVB Building, as this year's snow-flake white theme is free for all to see until the building closes its doors at midnight. It may be the creation of focus spaces, each with varying themes on different evenings, whether linked to dance, romance, tempo or graphics.
When the heat dissipates, everyone feels - and looks - better. Sydney thrives on the outdoors, and how else can it get better when you connect the moonlight, the harbour breeze and the relaxing atmosphere. Why can't there be structured walks along alleyways, heritage buildings and performance spaces - it does not have to be only on the Harbour Bridge, by the ocean cliffs or in bush trails. Do things have to be centred around food? It can be activities based on health, hobbies or collective building.
The new Sydney has to reveal its soul in more humane, softer and passionate ways. Commercialism alone will not sustain the attractiveness nor vibrancy of a community. The place already has variety, disorderliness and surprise - bring in good ideas as well. Make transients and visitors want to stay longer, overnight and more.
Many in Asia may not find it a big deal, but having a major department store extend its opening hours to 7pm in Australia is, on any day. After work hours, I can glide into watching people watch goods on display, of having that leisurely time to scout for things that I may or do not really need. This can pace the rush at suburban stations, compared to situations when suddenly there is nothing much else to do in the city, except directly go home. However, shopping, cinemas, food and arcades themselves are not that sufficiently attractive to retain a lively presence after hours in a world class city. There needs to be more.
Maybe it is the prelude to exclusive events, where you make eager beavers hype up the mood and atmosphere by making them queue outside a night club at King Street Wharf, or even in a cause-related screening of the latest re-make of A Christmas Carol at the Imax Darling Harbour. It can be the lighting up of the three storey high indoor Christmas tree at the QVB Building, as this year's snow-flake white theme is free for all to see until the building closes its doors at midnight. It may be the creation of focus spaces, each with varying themes on different evenings, whether linked to dance, romance, tempo or graphics.
When the heat dissipates, everyone feels - and looks - better. Sydney thrives on the outdoors, and how else can it get better when you connect the moonlight, the harbour breeze and the relaxing atmosphere. Why can't there be structured walks along alleyways, heritage buildings and performance spaces - it does not have to be only on the Harbour Bridge, by the ocean cliffs or in bush trails. Do things have to be centred around food? It can be activities based on health, hobbies or collective building.
The new Sydney has to reveal its soul in more humane, softer and passionate ways. Commercialism alone will not sustain the attractiveness nor vibrancy of a community. The place already has variety, disorderliness and surprise - bring in good ideas as well. Make transients and visitors want to stay longer, overnight and more.
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