a Bunch of Friends

Trying to collect Sydneys Creative talents was easier said than done. Maybe next time.

A Moment In Time #1

Lights slowly pulsating, passing by, breaking up into hundreds of smaller lights when filtered through the raindrops on the window of the train carriage.

Somewhere just north / northwest of Bayswater, I can’t recall what area exactly.  Silhouettes of dense brick buildings, hardly distinguishable from the deep blue evening sky. It could have been autumn, or spring. Wearing a light black jacket, short hair cut  and a black shirt. Leaning my forehead against the cold window, gradually switching focus of my own reflection and the London background.

Where I had just been will remain a secret for now. If I could even recall what it was I did? Nevertheless it's not important for the story.

It happened as I was flicking through my music library. It could have been “Suburbia”, or possibly “West End Girls” with the Pet Shop Boys. Definitely one of the two, or probably both, one after the other.  Creating the perfect soundtrack, and all of a sudden I got that vision in my head again. Gear works, 100’s of cogs suddenly in sync. A sign of a moment reaching its absolute peak, when everything falls into place. The beauty of non beautiful things perfectly orchestrated for that very moment in time.

Suddenly it was all gone again when the train disappears into one of the dark tunnels leading towards Kings Cross.

That evening in London is long gone. but my memory of that brief moment will remain for years to come.

The Blue Mountains

As a long weekend retreat, Elisabet, Olle and I went up to the Blue Mountains for the day. We met up with Elisabets ex. Colleague Phillip and his Girlfriend Melissa, who showed us their nice house, as well as showing us the less touristy Anvil Rock.

Don't read this!

2,900 calorie cheese-covered ranch dressing french fries from Outback Steakhous. About 2 years ago the Magazine "Men's Health" discovered this starter being the unhealthiest dish in america.

These news reaches me via my laptop as I'm eating a lamb Bryani from the local Indian around the corner. Lone dinners with media as company is a common thing, but a few years ago I would probably have had my TV on. The TV I got now is the biggest one I ever had, but I haven't used it as a TV in about 4 months, I choose the Lap Top instead. I choose what I want to see and read, fate gets pushed aside by total human control. 
I got half the food left on my plate (living by the theory that my tummy is not a bin bag and no one gains anything from me forcing down the food), but I cant be bothered cleaning it all up straight away. I throw to pairs of jeans in the washing machine and stepping out on my balcony listening to the noise of the city, "this is real" I think... "Things that have a smell, a texture, make real sounds, and real actions have real consequences" All of a sudden all the noises from the street appears like music. I stop romanticizing the real world out side and head back to my laptop. The Artificial waves of the internet takes me to another page talking about "Deep fried balls of butter"

When I was very young, there was only 2 TV channels and there was no 24/7 broadcasting. I had less control over what type of information I would access, but the information I got served had a guaranteed quality. I was also more likely to watch something I would have never chosen to watch in case I would have had an option, and therefore I would have been exposed to new things and I would have expanded my understanding and view of the world. It Suddenly hits me that this must be what some communist ideologies are based on. 
Kalle, an old friend and ex-colegue of mine interrupts the path of thinking and pushes me onto another artificial wave by sending me a link to a picture.

Just like the waves, this article is going nowhere, I will start again some other day.

Melbourne

Glass and beige tiled monuments of success forms the skyline of Melbourne. A city who's surface seem to resemble its sister city Sydney. But for the curious soul, it's not difficult to reveal its true nature and gain understanding of why people love this city so much. Every alleyway and anonymous looking second floor seem to hide yet another amazing bar, cafe, restaurant or shop. It's a world class city in its own right and certainly a gem on the southern hemisphere.

Elisabet and I spent our Easter long weekend there. And here is a glimpse of our story.

 

We got a decent deal at a snazzy hotel in a great location. The Park Hayatt Hotel Located in Fitzroy area.

We where staying very close to Brunswick street, a neighbour hood filled with small restaurants, cafes, delis and amazing shops. It had a kind of bohemian feel to it. And we spent at least every breakfast on that street. Home baked breads, home made marmalade, poached eggs and creative combination of great produce.

My first Brekkie/Brunch, home made sourdough bread, with poached eggs, mushcrooms, shredded beetroot, home made mango chutney and feta cheese

Snapshots from Fitzroy, and Brunswick street in
 particular

 











The Black cat bar and café

The Brewery "Little Creatures" ran a great food hall, they offered free beer testing, pizza baking classes, and free bike rental.

As well as a little bar for the dogs

Some other random shots from the area

One evening after dinner, we heard jazz seeping out from an open door. It turned out to be the Up-Town Jazz café, and we didn't hesitate.

When the band wasn't playing, they where projecting vintage black and white movies.

On Sunday we payed a visit to the gallery of contemporary art. I must admit, is so many cases, when it comes to modern art museums. I appreciate the actual building a lot more, than the art inside it.

On Saturday we went to see the band Pivot play live. They where good, but the venue was some what miserable, and the gig felt like it could have been in the 80s (not in a trendy way.)

The lane ways hiding amazing cafes and bars were one of the best things with Melbourne. Many of them tucked away behind trash bins in china town. Especially when you thoughts.. "Damn.. I must have taken a wrong turn, it looks pretty dodgy here", that's exactly when you where on the right way.

Elisabet hanging out in one of them alleys

The Croft Institute was probably the coolest bar we came a cross during the whole trip. And you would have no chance running past this place by accident. Luckily some kind natives told us about it earlier during the day. It was as far down a crocked alley as you could possibly get. The whole place was decorated like a laboratory, and they had great cocktails, sound system and music too.

Friday was windy, we decided to take the tram to St. Kilda. There where 100s of Kite Surfers there, it looks like so much fun. They where able to jump like 10 meters up in the air.

Elisabet invested in a really good hat

another amazing bar we payed a visit to was "Double happiness", they probbably made the best cocktails during the whole trip.

You could also purchase full bottles of pricey vodka and store in your personal locker.

Some other random photos from the trip.