The week in retrospect

Tuesday 13 July 2010

Hooray - bud burst is a happening thing in Sydney's CBD. Those bleak towers of financial industry are shedding their winter image and taking on a softer look. Here's the visual proof....

No, it's not Paris in the picture but a quiet, if that's possible, corner of the city. If you're looking for this fruit stand you'll find it on the corner of Bligh and Hunter Streets.

The reason for my not often taken trip to the city is explained in this video. I'm new to this feature on my camera so please hang-in there as I promise to improve.

After the dentist and before the Optometrist (a bodily day) I stopped off for coffee at Due Mondi on the first floor of Chifley Plaza. I was stunned to discover that my usual soy cap was only $3.40; a much better deal than I get in the suburbs. Check out this sophisticated environment where the 'suits' that start work at 7.30am, drop in for a mid morning break. Certainly 'designer' sophistication, with style

Wednesday 14 July 2010 - Bastille Day (1789)

I celebrated in advance this year . The chef and owner of La Gerbe d'Or, a French Ppatisserie at Five Ways Paddington is "bowing out "after 27 years of 4am starts.The chef and owner of Laon the Sunday before Bastille Day he serves uwith french bread and a glass of red.

It's been his annual tradition to produce a big bowl of warm pork cassolette served with french bread and a glass of red, on the Sunday before Bastille Day.

A couple of the younger set enjoying the day

an older group which includes the chef

and  (hopefully) a video of the colourful scene (sorry but it doesn't appear to be a happening thing)....................................................

Thursday 15 July 2010

Woollahra Library - Double Bay A very pleasant harbour side setting next door to the Woollahra Council Chambers. This is where I went tonight for a Writers and Readers evening, to hear author, Alex Miller, discussing his novel, Lovesong. It has been shortlisted for the 2010 Miles Franklin Award. He is already a two -time winner of the Award so his own stakes are set high. Today  Lovesong was also shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards 2010.

Alex Miller

The son of a "story teller" Miller calls himself a writer, not a story teller. His subject matter just "comes" to him and is based on personal experiences and on situations he has encountered.  Surely what the reader picks up on initially and becomes engaged with is the story line?
Miller has a Melbournian, literary aloofness.
His monotone style of delivery is hypnotic, his wit acerbic. He shoots for reaction. I left feeling that if this book was written by this pseudo 'grumpy' man, then it wasn't for me. The readers in the room felt otherwise - guess they're the ones that count.

Woollahra Council Chambers

Clothes lines for summer

I walked back via Double Bay for a spot of window shopping. Looks as if the waisted dress with a slight bell shape to the skirt is here for summer.

Friday 16 July 2010

You are what you eat.
If you eat what the master chefs cook every day you'll be contravening the laws of good nutrition. Too much fat and too many carbohydrates do not a healthy body make.
Fat gives flavour but it also contributes to hardening of the arteries and high cholesterol.
Here's a virtually fat free breakfast suggestion for you .

Rolled Oats served with Rice Milk, Organic Berry Yogurt, fresh cherries (high in antioxidants), sliced bananas, a black coffee (to kick start your day) and a glass of water. This will see you through until well after 1:00pm without the need to 'naughty' snack.

A healthy lunch today at 'Yen for Viet', a Vietnamese Restaurant in Marrickville.
Egg plant and minced pork, steamed whole Snapper rice rolls with asian greens, noodles, raw carrot and steamed rice.
I juxtaposed lunch with dinner today finishing the day with an avocado, tomato, cucumber and feta cheese sandwich on full grain bread and a pear to finish off with.

PS. I have a major in Nutrition so am suitably qualified to dish-up dietary advice

Where to next ?

A sunset salute to this gorgeous city

Sydney at sunset

more of the same

I took a stroll around the streets of my local area today and stumbled upon Donna Hay's (of magazine and Master Chef fame), Corner Store. Pretty to look at, but with prices that rule out those on a modest budget, me, the impoverished writer, included. I did however pay, somewhat begrudgingly, $1 for a small organic tomato at the market in Bondi Junction today. At least I could justify that my purchase would equate to a good daily dose of vitamin C.

Donna Hay's Corner Store

As of next week this blog will be  moving from a daily diary to a weekly comment on just what it is that people 'do' and 'see' in Sydney. You can expect the week's round-up of the highlights and the lowlights.


Where are these people going?

and what do these people do outside of the place they call home?

Watch this space...................................

Marmalade, babies, brides, and the book

12 hours of fasting; no big deal when it's overnight, and a full blood count later I treated myself to a strong black coffee, rye bread toast and the best marmalade in town. To me discernable texture in a food product is a must. I like to see what I'm eating and identify the individual flavours, whether it be in a complex stew or just a simple marmalade.
So what was so great about this particular marmalade? - large identifiable chunks of orange skin set in a rich jelly like syrup. You won't find this in the shops; it was made on the premises by the owner who comes from Israel. It's a secret recipe but I could pick a hint of Rosewater in the syrup. Currently I'm reading a book that makes several references to the foods of the east - pommegranates, dates, apricots  used in both sweet and savoury dishes. Rosewater and Soda Bread by Marsha Mehran (recipes included) tells the story of three Iranian sisters who open a cafe in a quaint Irish town. Ironically I was born in Ireland yet have always felt a real affinity with all things that have a connection to the old Spice Route. No wonder then that I'm becoming a modern day Marco Polo in my choice of pending and future travel destinations.

Down to earth with things for little people - there's a business in Bondi Junction that captures a baby's hands and /or feet for posterity. The baby equivalent of the Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame. What fun to surprise a Godson on his 21st birthday with a mould of his once tiny fingers and toes.

Ten tiny toes

Just down Oxford Street, on the corner of Leswell Street, the Sydney Wedding Registry has opened a 'viewing' and 'list' store. Takes the angst out of what to buy
for a wedding present. At least you know you're safe if the bride and groom have
already given it their tick of approval.

Sydney Wedding Registry

Politics is all in the timing - across to the Stanton Library in North Sydney to hear the political commentator, Annabelle Crabb discuss her new book. Rise of the Ruddbot: Observations from the Gallery, a collection of writings from the last few years. Crabbe was satiracally underwhelming, a diluted version of her usual self. Politically expedient, she took no prisoners. If I want to know what's in the book I'll have to buy it and read it.

Stanton Library from the outside looking in

                    

White Goods - old V's new

You'll be familiar with that big window of time a tradesperson gives you when they agree to make a 'house call'. The electrician gave me three hours. Much to my delight he rang to announce his imminent arrival within the first thirty minutes of this three hour window. My problem, an inoperable electric plug on the stove top. When I rang to book the service call the response to a request to service a stove that had an electrc plug was greeted with incredulity and derision. I am apparently housing a pre historic monster. Once the electrician took a look at this thing of great beauty from the past his approach changed to a level of reverence usually reserved for ancient relics. He extolled the virtues of the dear old girl, "so much better built, more reliable and easier to clean than her modern equivalent." Sadly the power point couldn't be fixed, but he assured me that the stove would go on until the rust beats it; a similar thing happened to an old car of mine (see "My Humble Mechanic" Image 19/10/06). Old toasters, fridges, hairdryers, electric jugs etc. do the same. Planned obsolescene is good for the manufacturer but not so good for the end user. Bring back those well designed electrical items of the past with their long living shelf lives.

A quick scout around the local appliance shops showed that nothing much had changed in the design of the electric hot plate and oven combination, but the construction just doesn't give the impression of being built like a brick......house.

Gas cookers......now they're a different story.

So what's my reliable 'old girl' going to cook tonight? ..
Lamb (backstrap) and aparagus stir fry, served with basmati rice. If you'd like the recipe just send me an email.

Guess what I found in the street today? A sweet young thing sipping coconut milk through a straw (see blog 20/6/10"Coconuts and music" an i 4 design).

Here she is

'Sydneycentric'

As a freelance writer I spend a large part  of my life in splendid isolation, totally wrapped in the cloak of self inflicted observation. It comes as a shock when I have to confront the wheels of industry first hand. This happened today when I ventured into the city to meet a friend for lunch. Help!...they move so much faster and life is oh so transient in a big city.

All praise to the City of Sydney for its colourful banners that bring a soul into the pulsating heart of Sydney.

Westside Story (love amongst the concrete) - Lyric Theatre, Star City

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander's Week

The Sydney CBD isn't at its visual best on a rainy day, and its drivers are at their very worst.

A bright ray of colour amongst the grey of the day was reflected from the windows of Carla Zampatti's shop on Elizabeth Street.

In contrast, only 50m's away, the grey and lifeless winter face of the Great Synagogue.

Cross the road and you're confronted with a mirror image, as Hyde Park, dressed in its winter cloak, tries to decide which path to take?

Baby it's wet outside



 
As with all global cities its a case of "if you can't beat e'm, then join'em".

We live in a 'designer' world

First, a couple of things that I forgot to mention in yesterday's round-up.
I've been checking libraries and book stores for information on Istanbul...
there's not much out there. Perhaps I should turn this blog into a travel
blog when I'm away. Remembering that there's a shop in Pitt Street that sells
travel maps I called in on my way home. Success, a folding map showing the streets and must see landmarks of Istanbul (printed in Canada!). The kind of map that the Sydney Visitors Centre gives away for free. Imagine then my shock horror when I was asked to pay $24.95. I needed comfort food after that, and fast. Just across the road from Mapworld is a cute and colourful Cupcakes Shop....I didn't hesitate to indulge.

These irrestible temptations got me thinking about all things designer 
We must be demanding them and be willing to pay otherwise they wouldn't be popping up in our suburbs.

Designer Dogs - groomed to perfection
Coco - shot at Dogue, Grooming and Accessories) Oxford Street, Bondi Junction
When you belong to the owner of the shop a girl has just got to look beautiful

Designer Fish - plump and perfectly presented
Costis - Queen Street, Woollahra

Designer Meat - perfect on the eye, perfection on the palate
Victor Churchill Butchery and Cookery School, Queen Street, Woollahra

Designer Fruit and Vegetables - Organically grown and picked at their best
About Life, Oxford Street, Bondi Junction

Time for a glass of 'designer' wine - a Spanish import and more of those delicious Pappadams from Marrikville; I'll be back for more.

The joys of 'stocking up' in Marrikville

There's more graffiti in this town than I thought. On today's cross city bus trip to one of my favourite 'foodie' haunts, Marrikville, I noticed it everywhere. Some done as purposeful art, some as spontaneous graffiti to give vent to "the message" the artist wanted to get across. 

But let's move on to Marrikville, home to a fascinating and endearing, multi - cultural society and a plethora of  yummy (clean and well stocked) Vietnamese butcher's shops. I head here once a week to buy meat, and stock up on Meat, Chinese herbs, Vegetable oils and exotic spices. Today's take home shopping basket included Pure Sesame Oil, egg free Wonton Skins (Wrappers), gluten free Garlic Pappadams, 400g jars of  pickled garlic and pickled ginger, meat for the week for $21.55 which includes a lamb backstrap that was cut to order. Cumin Powder, Star Anise, Fennell Seeds, Dried Sweet Basil Seeds, Saffron Threads, Vanilla Pods, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Sweet Paprika and Oregano from Turkey (think old spice route). The fish shops are equally as good as the meat shops - I can vouch for the Tuna.

The all kinds of everything shops that sell imports from China are irresistible.
I came home with 10 pairs of brightly patterned bamboo chopsticks ($2.50),a chopping board for half what I'd have to pay for it on my side of town, a garlic press and a black cotton long sleeved skivvy.

For lunch on the run I treated myself to a $3.50 Pork Roll over flowing with 'the lot' from the Pork Roll "hole in the wall" shop. Flowers are well priced and fabrics are at bargain basement prices.

Off to fry a few garlic pappadams.....

My $6.30 Sunday in Sydney

What to do in Sydney on a Sunday without having to rob a bank?

I started off with the intention of visiting the State Library of New South Wales and the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW), just 500 metres away from each other. Sandwiched  between these two I stumbled upon a real bonus.
I took the train to Martin Place then up the back steps to Macquarie Street popping up at street level right opposite State Parliament. One side of the street was closed to traffic...this was explained when I saw the Vice Regal car parked outside the entrance. My first thought..... surely the G.G. isn't here to disolve the NSW Parliament on a Sunday? More on that later.

I'd forgotten that it was school holidays and that public spaces would be more crowded than usual. The State Library was buzzing with people visiting the Sydney Morning Herald Photos 1040 photography exhibition (to 01 August)  and the World Press Photo 10 annual exhibition (to 25 July) This is a must see for the confronting realism of the images of life beyond our armchair complacency. War, death and civil unrest are captured right in the moment.

Sydney Morning Herald Photos 1040 - State Library of NSW

World Press Photo 10 - State Library of NSW

Now for the bonus
Still on the subject of war. The end products of conflicts, the people who have been touched by its events and carried its consequences - our Reserve Forces, Past and Present parading before the Govenor General, Quentin Bryce in the park behind Sydney Hospital. A touching site and an interesting aftermath following on from the World Press Photo Exhibition.

Advance Australia Fair - The Reserve Forces Parade
The out-rider

On a lighter note (I'm glad that I did things in this order) a small yet captivating exhibition entitled "Colour, rythm, design": wood and lino cuts of the 20s and 30s at the AGNSW (to 11 July).
A fifteen minute wait for coffee (be warned) at the Gallery Cafe gave me time to jot down these notes.
Before leaving the Gallery I listened to a couple of performances by young students from the Australian Insitute of Music (AIM). Australia's classical music future is in good hands (that's if we can keep them here)

Making beautiful music in the Grand Courts at AGNSW (out of focus but it will give you the 'foggy' picture)

Had I wanted to stretch my 'free' entertainment further there was a film showing mid afternoon in the Art Gallery Theatre.

On reflection, a balanced and enjoyable day's entertainment.
Cost: train $2.50 coffee $3.80 (would have been 50c less if I hadn't ordered soy milk)

Hat's on in Oxford Street

You'd be forgiven for mistaking Sydneysiders for Melbournians on Oxford Street this morning. Out of the depths of their closets they had unearthed the good, the bad and the downright ugly in winter headwear. Scarves fortunately were a little more in tune with 2010.

Here's a pictorial collection of some of the better looks.

Crossing the lights at Oxford Street/Jersey Road intersection

Shop assistant - The Corner Store, William Street, Paddington

Man and his dog - Glenmore Road, Paddington


Looking great and feeling cosy - Oxford Street, Paddington

Wish my bus would hurry up - Taylor Square

Matching head to toe

I took what I had intended to be a leisurely morning stroll. It ended up more of a fast walk to counter the impact that the weather was having on my body. My mission - to check out the recently established Sustainable Food Market at Taylor Square, Darlinghurst. It's got a way to go before it becomes part of the establishment. I picked up an extra tasty Olive sour dough organic loaf which had made its way from Berry in the wee small hours.

Sustainable Food Market

In the immediate vicinity I wandered down Foley Street. Watch out for this one; there are plans afoot to transform this laneway near Oxford Street, Darlinghurst into an alfresco dining and retail area (a touch of Melbourne in Sydney). Graffiti in the nearby laneways is a good start, comparing favourably with the Graffiti
artists of Newtown (see Graffiti - disaster or designer? an earlier blog)

Foley Street - pre makeover

Darlinghurst Graffiti

Coffee at the grunge/funky cafe Coco Cubano right on Taylor Square is a must. There's always plenty of action on the pavement to keep you interested. Directly across Oxford Street is the Darlinghurst Court which, when the court is sitting, provides fascinating week-day people watching.

Inside Coco Cubano looking towards Darlinghurst Courthouse

Walk back up Oxford Street heading towards Paddington Library. On the left you'll pass The Fringe Bar Market (Saturday's) - worth a look if you're after vintage style clothing and accessories.

Fringe Bar, Oxford Street, Paddington

Farewell from Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

For more of my Sydney shots visit:  www.flickr.com/people/4U22