Notes on a few trips

It is summertime in Australia which means that there is nothing but rubbish from America and game shows on television. But on Sunday night there was a Kath and Kim telemovie, so over two million Australians watched it. In keeping with summer television standards it too was rubbish.

Scenes from New Farm Sunday 17:37 - Storms are very popular in Brisbane during the summer with level two restrictions now only allowing pissing on your garden for watering (and it must be a hand-held hose). There was no hail so cars did not need to be hidden from view either... 

Scenes from the Powerhouse Turbine Hall Friday 22:56 - Something everyone can enjoy: a woman hanging upside down on elastic.  

Went to the Powerhouse on Thursday to see a collection of Australian short gay and lesbian films. They have been touring the country and it was Brisbane's turn to see them on Thursday and Friday last week. It was a pity they all lacked a basic ability to tell a story (and film it) but only a few were tediously long. Mercifully being short films the torture didn't last too long. Having had a few sensible drinks with P beforehand we ended up snickering through the boring ones anyway. In the short Oranges (which screened in London this year) one boy mentions after kissing another that he "tastes like oranges". It caused pause for reflection as to what one would taste like at any point in time. At that moment it was vodka and beer nuts…  

Man #1 : Sorry about that mate.. Man #2: Dahn't warry dahn't warry… Man #1 : Nah I'm sorry Man #2 : Nah dahn't warry. Traffic was muhhrder for moi too

Scenes from Brisbane Thursday 09:37. I waited over two years to have one of these. A breakfast panini - consisting of a panini bread, cheese, ham and a tomato and basil sauce - and it didn't taste as good as I remembered. Maybe you just can't go back. A few minutes after eating this there was some drama in the cafe when a lady ended up wearing all her coffee down her lovely white jacket. She didn't look very impressed. Then again there is a lesson to be learned here. In Brisbane during the summer one should not wear a jacket. 

Shabby Man : Now listen, listen, listen (grabbing woman) Husky whore : Stop following me and leave me alone…

Thongs , originally uploaded by Pauly_ . Scenes from the New Farm Supermarket Sunday 10:29am. Thongs (known as flip flops in the rest of the world) are a popular choice of footwear when going out and about. These two gentlemen are wearing very cheap ones at that. The other popular choice is to go without shoes altogether, although so far I have only seen the local junkies do that...

17-11-05_2046s , originally uploaded by Pauly_ . Scenes from The Fringe Bar Thursday 20:46. Flexible men were part of the Thursday night scene at the Fringe Bar. They could do all sorts of tricks involving bending over backwards. Something to bring tears to the eyes anyway...

Scenes from the Pig and Whistle Riverside Tuesday 14:03. $12 for two beers (that's practically London prices) and they still have plastic hanging pots that they don't bother to remove the sticky bar code label from... 

Scenes from the New Farm Riverwalk Monday 17:13 - A series of hoax callers ground public transport to a halt yesterday so I took the walk home option from the city (in the background). Of course with public transport such rubbish in this city suspending it for an hour it was really hard to notice the difference. But the light and scenery was lovely... 

Scenes from Brunswick Street New Farm Monday 11:08 - You know you are in a special part of town where the locals plaster rainbow stickers all over the neighbourhood signs... The sticker partly covering the M also says "Honk if you're a homo"... Incidentally the building in the background is a popular walking spot for the street prostitutues. Being 11am however none were out and about... Later in the evening however they were out in full force. And the usual married men were trawling up and down Brunswick Street in their big suburban family cars complete with "baby on board" stickers... 

Scenes from a barbecue Saturday 16:24. Meat anyone? 

I would have to arrive back in Brisbane when there is a silly new Airbus on display. I am told (as I am typing this 10pm in Singapore) that there will be plenty of people oogling at it. I am not sure why. Once it is flying Qantas no doubt will cram it top and bottom with economy class seating which no doubt will be a charming experience... On the otherhand Singapore Airlines is trialing Boing's new wi-fi technology which enabled me to post to the blog, send lots of silly emails, and update my Avantgo news channels while flying somewhere over Asia. My four hour stopover in Singapore is coming to an end soon and I have to say four hours is probably about enough time one would want to spend in Singapore. Or at least the airport anyway...

As we approach Singapore I thought I would make the most of the free half hour of in flight internet access. How thoroughly modern. Non if only one Wasn't confined to a Small space for twelve hours it Would be perfect... A was at Heathrow to make sure I left. Before We parted Ways We had a fascinating conversation about the Mahatma and how he got shot in the end after returning to his peoples. I suggested that getting shot in the end is probably the best place since it is a very fleshy area. OK may need more sleep. Oh and choice of flying music: Carly Simon since she sings "Even though you're ten thousand miles away..."

10-11-05_1842.jpg , originally uploaded by Pauly_ . Darn tube to Heathrow. I took the scenic route from SW2 and just as I finally managed to get a seat this person with the bad bleach job sat down there. So I decided to photograph him for all posterity.