Lamp

This unusual lamp made an interesting feature in a Newtown shop window.

Rockdale Park

A peaceful suburban park, with lots of specimen trees of all kinds, many evergreen. This was taken on a mid-winter day.

Costa Living

NSW public sector workers, including the fire brigade, are looking for pay increases more than what the state treasurer and givernment is offering - 2.5%. Inflation is currently over 4%, so it would mean an effective pay cut.

The name of the Treasuer is Michael Costa, so this banner on the side of the fire engine is a "cost of living" pun on his name.

The Green Iguana

From Women's Playing fields to View St

Dignity

These two ladies were taking it quite slowly. I fancy the woman on the left (a sister? daughter? friend?) is keeping a wary eye on her companion's progress.

Donna

The story of Donna from a plaque underneath:

Donna, friend and constant companion to John Hogan of Pyrmont, Sydney, Australia was born on the 14th February, 1975. At the time of her death, on 6th May 1995, she was recognised in the Guinness Book of Records as the World's Longest Living Hearing Guide Dog.

Donna travelled extensively on trains throughout NSW and John affectionately remembers her first journey from Sydney to Murwillumbah in 1985. "During the 14 hour trip, Donna was well behaved and waited until Casino where she left a very large puddle on the grass behind the station."

This memorial also recognises the love and companionship that all Guide Dogs for the Visually and Hearing Impaired give their owners.

It has been provided by the State Government of New South Wales with assistance by City Rail and the Department of Public Works and Services.

Unveiled by Hon Brian Langton, MP, Minister for Transport and MInister for Tourism on 10 May 1996.

Sculptor Ian Shaw.

Coffee shop, Surry Hills, or Pompei?

On 24 August, 79 AD - 1 929 years ago - Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried Pompei and Herculaneum.

The counter of this coffee shop opening straight onto the street reminded me of similar shops in Ancient Roman sites like Pompei (below 1), Herculaneum (below 2) and Ostia Antica.

If catastrophe were visited upon our cities today, I wonder what archaeologists would deduce about us in years time? I sometimes ponder how much difference will there be between us, and our descendents 1 929 years hence - 3 937 AD? Visiting places like Pompei and Herculaneum and reading books about Ancient Rome make me think : "Not all that much!"

What do you think?

Afternoon sun

This bougainvillea blooms throughout a sunny winter, though the blossoms will become more abundant as we move towards spring and summer.

Bicycle Couriers

As I walked through Farrer Place in the city yesterday morning I saw all the bike couriers who wait for jobs there. Farrer Place has the huge Education Department building and 41 storey government tower facing it, so there's probably plenty of work. I introduced myself and these guys were Ok with me taking their picture.

I told them I thought they should be over in Beijing winning gold medals for Australia, cos this year's cycling team went from 6 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze medals in Athens to 1 silver this time!

Demolition

All that remains of this local house is the front steps and the fireplace. I wonder what will arise in its place?

Raise the red lantern

Traditionally the sign of the doctor's surgery, I don't see very many of them these days. This one is in the heart of Arncliffe.

Bus stop

Perhaps the seat at the bus stop wasn't quite comfortable enough?

Weekend

What were my son and his friends doing in my boy's bedroom last night?

Watching a DVD on his portable player! (The grown ups had the TV glued on the Olympics.)

Go-Karts Go

This Go-Kart must have been the subject of one attack too many.

Milk Crates

....stacked on the footpath outside St Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Arncliffe, opposite Arncliffe Park.

Azaleas and threatening sky

Mid winter azaleas at Centennial Plaza in Surry Hills

Is Felix Australian??

On another wall in Surry Hills, a Very Big Felix (and look at that bizarre small sticker in the bottom right hand corner. What's THAT about???)

Some claim that Felix was first by New Jersey cartoonist Otto Messmer. Others say that Felix was the brainchild of Australian cartoonist and film entrepreneur, Pat Sullivan.

Wikipedia says:

"...evidence seems to back up both claims. However, many historians, such as John Canemaker argue that Messmer ghosted for Sullivan. Other historians disagree. What is certain is that the cat emerged from Sullivan's studio. "

Here's a post I made about Felix in 2006

Felix the Cat 3

There must be a Felix fan spreading the joy around Sydney! Is it a concerted campaign? Yet more tomorrow....when we ask the question "Is Felix Australian?"

Here the Felix song by clicking here.

Felix the Cat, the wonderful, wonderful cat
Whenever he gets in a fix, he reaches into his bag of tricks

You'll laugh so much your sides will ache
Your heart will go pitter pat
Watching Felix, the wonderful cat.

Felix The Cat 2

Felix is wedged in the corner between former warehouses, now renovated as apartments in inner city Surry Hills.

Felix The Cat

Where did I encounter this metal Felix? I'll show you tomorrow.

Scorched

Back to one of my favourite places in Sydney yesterday - Belvoir Theatre. This is a section of a series of panels showing the names of some of the theatre sponsors. There's some fairly famous names amongst this lot.

The play we saw was called Scorched. The playwright is Lebanese born Wajdi Mouawad , who moved to Paris and then Quebec. He writes in French. The play was extraordinarily powerful. It was based on ideas of love and hate, breaking cycles of revenge, set during the Lebanese Civil War (though the conflict was unstated - it is relevant to many such conflicts).

There is a review here and another here if you are interested in knowing more.

Spice I Am

Thai restaurant in Elizabeth St, Surry Hills. Say "Spice I Am" fast to understand the pun.

Later: There are many, many Thai restaurants in Sydney, and they are mostly very, very good. Some use the word "Thai" in their name to make a sort of pun: examples include Thai Foon, Thai Tanic, Thai the Knot. Thailand used to be called Siam. So "Spice I Am" becomes Spice Siam if you run the words together....

Sun reflected

Yesterday I was driving home down the Princes Highway at about 5pm when I looked left (eastwards) and saw that the setting sun from the right was hitting these buildings at Sydney airport. They were glowing gold, and reflected in the Cooks River. As well, there were patches of blue sky, and some quite heavy cloud cover, to create a happy convergence of such wonderful colours. I found the next available parking spot and rushed before the sun disappeared (about 10 minutes later).

I had a hard time deciding which picture to post, and decided (with the help of my son) on the one here. But maybe there's another you like better. Have a look here if you want to see the others.

Shrub

I saw this gorgeous shrub on one of my walks. I imagine it is a variety of grevillea, but can't remember seeing it before.

Reflection (Circular Quay 2: Tree). Hiroshima Day

The 63rd anniversary of Hiroshima Day. A time for reflection and memory.

Relection (Circular Quay)

Circular Quay

More Headless Barbies?

Many small fashion companies and designers have their headquarters and outlets in inner city Surry Hills, often in converted terrace houses. I loved the fabrics contrasting with the brick and wrought iron on the tiny front verandah of this place.

Wrap, and Rap, With Love

Wrap With Love is a not for profit organisation motivating the knitters of Australia to make beautiful, colourful wraps (blankets) to send to people wherever they may be cold. They have sent 157,000 Wraps to people in over 75 countries. From their Sydney warehouse , over forty non-denominational and non-political aid agencies distribute them to those in greatest need. They have no annual membership fee and rely on an Australia-wide network of caring volunteers to knit, transport and assemble Wraps.

Every year Sydney radio station ABC 702 holds a "knit-in" at its studios in Ultimo. The whole huge atrium is taken up with people (99% women) knitting and crotcheting together the thousands of squares. And having lots of fun, laughing, chatting and enjoying each others' company, as you can see! This year it was held on Monday 1 August. I would have shown you it then, but it was theme day. My friend Maureen from the gym and I both knit, and are plannign to go along as knitters next year.

Part of the entertainment was a percussion duo, Aurora Percussion. They had the knitters percussing with their needles, and singing along with their Rap (For Love).

I managed to take a video of the end of the rap.

Where was Barbie?

I came across Headless Barbie stuck in the metal shutter-gate of the old Children's Court building in Surry Hills. You can see her stepping out from the left of the portico metal shutters. The building now houses the offices of several social welfare agencies. I thought it was rather poignant. Perhaps someone was making a statement?

Full Metal Barbie - Metal Theme Day

Tomorrow I'll show you where I came across Barbie

Today is Daily City Photo Bloggers' Theme Day: Metal
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
or click on individual cities listed below
Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by freefalling, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Baruch, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Bandung, Indonesia by Bunyamin, Bandung, Indonesia by Eki Akhwan, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Birmingham (AL), USA by VJ, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brantford (ON), Canada by Nancy, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Ram N, Chesapeake (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Cincinnati, USA by Erik Laursen, City of the Blue Mountains, Australia by Richard, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Edmonton (AL), Canada by , Evry, France by Olivier, Folkestone, UK by Piskie, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA by Gigi, Gabriola, Canada by Snapper, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Hanoi, Vietnam by Jérôme, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jerusalem, Israel by Esther, Kansas City (MO), USA by Cate B, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Leipzig, Germany by weltbeschreiber, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Lynchburg (VA), USA by June, Mainz, Germany by JB, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Mashhad, Iran by Meead, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Menton, France by Jilly, Mesa (AZ), USA by Mesa Daily Photo, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Middletown (MD), USA by Bernie, Milwaukee (WI), USA by karl, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Scott, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Molfetta, Italy by saretta, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Nancy, France by yoshi, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Delhi, India by Delhi Photo Diary, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by Kitty, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Oklahoma City (OK), USA by ananda.tashie, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Owasso (OK), USA by Jennifer, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Philadelphia (PA), USA by Stephanie Craig, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Sharon, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Pretoria, South Africa by Sam-Ruth, Quezon City, Philippines by ann pablo, Quincy (MA), USA by slim, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Rancho Palos Verdes (CA), USA by Sarah Adams, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Schenectady (NY), USA by Buck, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Singapore, Singapore by Zannnie, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, South Pasadena (CA), USA by Laurie, Springfield (IL), USA by Aubrey, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Tempe (AZ), USA by angie, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Villigen, Switzerland by z, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by D.C. Confidential, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,