Thursday 30 October 2014

Halloween - it's creeping in 'downunder'?

We seem to be adopting all things American - I wonder if they are adopting many things from 'downunder'. Perhaps they are still putting a shrimp (prawn to us) on the barbie!

I was horrified to see a display of over-sized pumpkins - probably pumped up with hormones - at my local supermarket. I wonder how they will sell. I wonder if anyone is going to carve funny faces in them and light a candle? I wonder how many people care about trick or treat. I certainly don't. Do you?
My local supermarket display - pumpkin soup anyone!
During my time in the States recently there were HUGE pumpkins on offer here, there and everywhere. Surely they would be 'off' by Halloween. I don't think these pumpkins are edible but I may be wrong. Probably if you eat them the hormones will blow you up as well.
American pumpkins. Gross!
Is it only in America that they get over-excited about Halloween? I can recall having an American penpal many moons ago who asked me what I was doing for Halloween. In the dim dark ages past I had to advise her that I had never heard of it! I recently Googled it to find out the history - click here if you are interested - its history really has little to do with pumpkins - more to do with the Christian All Hallows Eve - a hallowed evening.

About the only thing that I thought was rather clever was this carved pumpkin - probably because if doesn't look like a pumpkin - more like my haunting owl (see post here).
Now ain't he just the cutest lille ole thing! (pinterest)
So let's let Halloween - particularly the trick-or-treat part, apple bobbing and even scary dress ups which are all part of encouraging consumerism pass us by (well you may ask - so why am I writing about it if that's how I feel!?) What do you think about Halloween (as opposed to the Christian celebration of All Hallows Eve) and do you celebrate? Is it just an excuse for children to gorge on sweets? And is it just an excuse for retailers to sell costumes, sweets (I've seen ads for Halloween donuts!) and over-pumped pumpkins?

Tuesday 21 October 2014

When will we ever learn

It's been a torrid week in some ways and an uplifting week in others. The Melbourne Festival is currently on and I seem to be drawn to all things indigenous in one way or another. And that's a good thing - in one way or another. 

It started with the opening of the Festival at Federation Square (our Federation not the indigenous peoples of our land). But it was a 'welcome to country' by the local 'tribes'. (now I know that many of you will already be rolling your eyes as the 'welcome to country' is seen by many as 'tokenism'. But that is just one point of view). So let's begin with the Festival opening - the photos don't really reflect what was occuring but....
The smell of eucalyptus burning - so evocative

Federation Square transformed (the little ones were 'right into it')

And then I went to one of my favourite dance companies - KAGE - to see the world premier of their current production The Team of Life. I was keen to see it as 2 years ago I had been invited to attend a 'workshop' of their plans for the production. It was fascinating to see the progression after it had been 'workshopped' over that period. It is the story of a South Sudanese boy-soldier - David Nyuol Vincent (his book The Boy Who Wouldn't Die) - and his journey to live in this country. In 2011 David was appointed as Australia people Ambassador and one of Melbourne’s Top 100 most influencial, inspirational, provocative and creative people. One of his connections to 'life' and this country was through playing soccer (originally with a newspaper pushed into a sock to make a football and then playing with the real thing). On the other side of the stage was an indigenous couple - he obsessed with Aussie Rules and the 'oval' ball. Although I felt it didn't quite gell and combine the two types of football or the two types of 'blacks' (their words) - I felt they did a stirling job to show us that humanity is pretty much the same. See the review here
Former boy-soldier David Nyuol Vincent (what a smile) and Leila Gurruwiwi (Jeff Busby)
And then last night it was off to see Big Hart perform Hipbone Sticking Out - a frenetic, amusing, poignent and shattering story of the history of the indigenous peoples of this land before and after colonisation. It was funny, clever, and ultimately devastating to hear the story of 16 year old John Pat a young and 'up and coming leader of his community' who died in custody in 1983 from a kick to the head by a policeman and then left for dead in the Roebourne lockup. (you can read the horrifying account here) But it was also the story of the colonisation of the Pilbara which denied the indigenous the power to speak - and to be heard. His mother was in the audience. She finally received an apology from the Western Australian Parliament in 2013. But it doesn't bring her son back. See the review here
Trevor Jamieson playing John Pat (if he had been alive today) (the age)
And then we read in the paper that on Saturday night a young indigenous student Joshua Hardy from Darwin who was studying at Melbourne University to be a lawyer (having won an indigenous scholarship to the prestigious Melbourne Grammar School) was kicked in the head outside a McDonalds and died. Yet another life cut short for no reason.

Joshua Hardy with his sister Rebecca just hours before he died
Senseless. Shattering. Continuing. When will we ever learn?

The Australian National Anthem (rewritten by Judith Durham of The Seekers fame) will end this post. You can hear her sing it with Kutcha Edwards (who sang it at the KAGE premier) here. I hope you enjoy and agree that the words are more 'suitable' than the olde worlde words we currently sing!

Australia, celebrate as one, with peace and harmony.
Our precious water, soil and sun, grant life for you and me.
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts to love, respect and share,
And honouring the Dreaming, advance Australia fair.
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.

Australia, let us stand as one, upon this sacred land.
A new day dawns, we’re moving on to trust and understand.
Combine our ancient history and cultures everywhere,
To bond together for all time, advance Australia fair.
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.

Australia, let us strive as one, to work with willing hands.
Our Southern Cross will guide us on, as friends with other lands.
While we embrace tomorrow’s world with courage, truth and care,
And all our actions prove the words, advance Australia fair,
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.

And when this special land of ours is in our children’s care,
From shore to shore forever more, advance Australia fair.
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance ... Australia ... fair.

Thursday 9 October 2014

My jet lag theory has been blown out of the water!

I've been rather pleased with myself on returning to Australia from Noo York and Washington. I've been bragging about my theory that "flying west I don't get jetlag". It seems that when I fly to Europe I 'just get on with it on my arrival' and don't seem to react to the long flight (economy - ugh) as much as I do returning home flying east. Now maybe it's just because I am off-and-running to see and do a million things when I fly to Europe or is there more to it than that? 
My theory is 'apparantly' correct (parisbreakfasts.blogspt.com)
When I fly east (Europe to Australia) it seems to take my time-clock at least 10 days to return to normal. By that I mean not waking at 3.00 am and not being able return to sleep which is then followed later in the day by the absolute desire/necessity to have a 'lie down' at 3.00 pm which isn't at all helpful to return to my usual sleep pattern (I need to admit that the 'normal' pattern is a pretty disrupted one). 
It's 3.pm after flying east! (telegraph.co.uk)
Well I was all puffed up with myself on my return home from the States (flying west) and I certainly didn't have a broken sleep pattern - well no more than is normal for me! But I seem to have lost a week on my calendar - making arrangements a week out! So yes my sleep was fine but my head was obviously elsewhere (some would say it often is!) P'raps it was still in Noo York! So to those friends who I have 'messed up on' I apologise. 

Do you have a theory about flying east as opposed to flying west. Or is it all in my foggy mind!?

Monday 6 October 2014

My Noo York top 6

On my recent first trip to New York - in itself rather a surprise for such a world traveller (!) - you'll notice that my list doesn't include some of the must-sees such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim or the shops such as Saks, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf etc. In this post I have decided to focus on my favourites which were small interesting experiences that can't be gathered while in the enormous 7 building Metropolitan. My favourites in the short time I had in New York seem to be the small museums and spaces.

Oh to have the money that many old New York families had/have but then to do it with such style and such panache for all the world to see - this was the surprise package for me. Between 1902 and 1906 J. P. Morgan (of banking fame) built his private library next to his residence - acquiring illuminated, literary and historical manuscripts, early printed books - including 3 copies of the famed Gutenburg Bible, private letters and original music scripts. It is a treasure trove. What a library. His son J. P. Jr. gifted it as a public institution in 1924. We popped in for a look and stayed an afternoon! We loved everything about it. 
Stunning Library - books, books, books
Some stored in the vault - look at the bolts on the right
J P himself (sorry so dark - no flash)
The fabulous light and bright modern extension - with New York buildings reflected
Another surprise. Old money here too - and all gathered in a beautiful mansion on 5th Avenue. We loved the fact that you can still wander the rooms much as they were when Mr (and Mrs) Frick lived there. And what a house. What a life! Mr Frick (1849 - 1919) was a Pittsburg coke and steel industrialist. They lived with paintings by Vermeer, Bellini, El Greco, Goya and Gainsborough - to name just a few - always keeping in mind that the entire collection and the house would be gifted!  Although his wealth was extraordinary one could imagine his hosting of regular dinners and wandering the galleries after his guests had departed. Mrs Adelaide (had to include this - the name of my home town) Frick died in 1931 and it was opened to the public in 1935.
Housed in the New York City mansion built by Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919), one of America's most successful industrialists, are masterpieces of Western painting, sculpture, and decorative art, displayed in a serene and intimate setting. Each of the Collection's sixteen permanent galleries offers a unique presentation of artworks arranged for the most part without regard to period or national origin, akin to the way Mr. Frick enjoyed the art he loved before bequeathing it to the public.
Both the mansion and the works within it serve as a monument to one of America's greatest art collectors. Built in 1913-14 from designs by the firm Carrère and Hastings, the house is set back from Fifth Avenue by an elevated garden punctuated by three magnificent magnolia trees. Since Mr. Frick's death in 1919,
- See more at: http://www.frick.org/collection/history#sthash.VIdemPH7.dpuf
The gorgeous gallery (no photos allowed) www.frick.org
The Fragonard Room (www.statelinesptgds.com)
Housed in the New York City mansion built by Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919), one of America's most successful industrialists, are masterpieces of Western painting, sculpture, and decorative art, displayed in a serene and intimate setting. Each of the Collection's sixteen permanent galleries offers a unique presentation of artworks arranged for the most part without regard to period or national origin, akin to the way Mr. Frick enjoyed the art he loved before bequeathing it to the public.
Both the mansion and the works within it serve as a monument to one of America's greatest art collectors. Built in 1913-14 from designs by the firm Carrère and Hastings, the house is set back from Fifth Avenue by an elevated garden punctuated by three magnificent magnolia trees. Since Mr. Frick's death in 1919,
- See more at: http://www.frick.org/collection/history#sthash.VIdemPH7.dpuf
Housed in the New York City mansion built by Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919), one of America's most successful industrialists, are masterpieces of Western painting, sculpture, and decorative art, displayed in a serene and intimate setting. Each of the Collection's sixteen permanent galleries offers a unique presentation of artworks arranged for the most part without regard to period or national origin, akin to the way Mr. Frick enjoyed the art he loved before bequeathing it to the public.
Both the mansion and the works within it serve as a monument to one of America's greatest art collectors. Built in 1913-14 from designs by the firm Carrère and Hastings, the house is set back from Fifth Avenue by an elevated garden punctuated by three magnificent magnolia trees. Since Mr. Frick's death in 1919,
- See more at: http://www.frick.org/collection/history#sthash.VIdemPH7.dpuf
A walk in the park
I mean Central Park of course! I couldn't have imagined that it was so big, green, lush and busy - and yet there were nooks and crannies where one could slip away and spend some quiet time. Still our visit was hardly an amble - unfortunately there was not time for ambling during my stay. We went at - I regret - a relentless pace - in order to 'fit-it-all-in-just-in-case-I-dont-get-back' sort of pace. These lungs of New York have something for everyone. Joggers, walkers, entertainers - it really is an astounding park - and to think it was all 'created'. And it's not being encroached upon by carparks, new footy ovals, overpasses or ringroads. It is revered as we don't seem to be able to do here in Melbourne. For a great read that will bring a lot of the history of the park and the amazing apartment buildings overlooking the park to life I recommend the who-done-it Death Angel by Linda Fairstein (we even met a friend of hers on our speedy amble!)

Green green Central Park
The High Line
What a surprise. To walk along a disused railway line which is now planted with trees, grasses and flowers gave me such a different perspective to New York. It has been an unimagined success. You see the city through different eyes. And it has changed the face of the areas surrounding it. How much more sensible it was that the powers-that-be didn't rip it out and replace it with yet more highrises. I'm sure that it will be copied throughout the world - where old railway lines lie sad and dormant. It has been embraced by New Yorkers and of course by hoards of visitors.
Fun seating on the old railway tracks
Fun design, green spaces
Lush along the old railway line - high above the street
Ground Zero
I want to say that I loved the way the space where the two buildings once stood was done but the word love is so wrong for this site - so I hope you will forgive me. I was totally moved by the absolute simplicity of the 'holes in the ground'. The simplest of simple waterfalls with the water falling into an ever deeper hole - seemed to tell the story. Sometimes we overdo our 'memorials'.  Surrounding each 'hole' were the names of all those who had lost their lives on that fateful day. Although I didn't have time to visit the newly opened museum I am glad that I visited the site, and glad in a way that I left with the simplest of reminders of the day that changed our world forever. I'll let my photos do the talking.
All is quiet except for the sound of continual cascading water flowing into a darkened hole
Every life lost is engraved to be remembered - the park will be beautiful in years to come
The Tenement Museum
What a contrast to The Frick and the Morgan Library and Museum, and yet once again a wealthy philanthropist (more on them later) bought the building in 1988 to showcase the living conditions of those who fled Ireland and Europe to find a better life for themselves and their families. The apartment block was built in 1863 and was home to over 7000 immigrants who lived cheek by jowel until it was boarded up in the 1940's. We had recently seen the film The Immigrant (highly recommended) and in some ways it was like walking into that story. The Museum is on 4 levels and each floor showcases the stories of those who passed through the building - from Irish Oursiders to Sweat Shop Workers to Shop Life. It's a timewarp. We toured just two of the floors but each gave us a great overview of the living and working conditions of those who first arrived in the land of hope and plenty.  
4 floors up, 4 floors down

Imagine carrying your heavy water bucket up 4 flights of stairs - in the dark!
And so I conclude as Frank Sinatra sings in what has become the unofficial anthem of the city:
 
Start spreading the news, I am leaving today.
I want to be a part of it, New York, New York.
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it, New York, New York.

I wanna wake up, In that city that doesn't sleep.
And find I'm king of the hill, top of the heap.

These little town blues, are melting away.
I'll make a brand new start of it, in old New York.

If I can make it there,
I'll make it anywhere.
It's up to you, New York, New York.

New York, New York.
I want to wake up, in that city that never sleeps.
And find I'm Aye Number 1, Top of the list, King of the hill, Aye Number 1...

These little town blues, are melting away.
I'm gonna make a brand new start of it,
in old New York, and...

If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere.
It's up to you, New York, New York!