Sunday, May 23, 2004

Writers Festival
It turns out over the last few days the Sydney Writing Festival has been held on our doorstep. Yesterday evening, Alexi Sayle was doing a talk discussing his latest book in the new Sydney Theatre across the road. I should have gone and collared him after the show to ask how he intended his story to end in the End of Story competition. I'm sure he's never been asked that before.

Still we did get over there this afternoon and soaked up some of the literary atmosphere. There was a free creche and so Joseph got to play with some other children for a couple of hours whilst Mum and Dad discussed our childhood ambitions over a quiet drink in the Hero of Waterloo. We event got a free goodnight story book when we went back to pick him up - bargain. Better than a bargain in fact, as it was all free in the first place.

Vic and I were talking about how when you are young and at school, you seem to be able to try all these things like drawing, playing an instrument, playing sport and games, writing and photography. But when you get to a certain age, you sort of stop. I don't know whether this is because you just don't have time what with having to go to work everyday or changing nappies or cleaning the toilet. Or, really whether you realise as an adult, how hard it is to be a successful artist. Perhaps you think, well I'm never going to be a writer or painter or singer or actor, and so what's the point in even trying.

But the problem is, you get fewer and fewer opportunities to be creative. Maybe we should sign up in a night class soon.

(P.S Vicky if you are reading this, I know you will dispute the cleaning the toilet part)

MrT 5/23/2004 12:45:00 pm [+] : Feedback!

End of Story
Not sure if this is being advertised much in the UK, but I came across the End of Story program on the BBC website. Might be quite interesting - I think I'll give Alexi Sales starting a go.


MrT 5/06/2004 12:10:00 pm [+] : Feedback!

My Resteraunt Rules
The latest reality TV show in Australia is called My Resteraunt Rules. The basic premise of the program is to give six couples a resteraunt to build, fit out and manage. The winner of the series gets to keep the place.

It's actually getting quite good, although the Sydney resteraunt got voted out last week. As with all of them, you try and ignore the first few episodes, but eventually you do get a bit sucked into it. Especially, as most of the couples that remain seem quite nice.

The weather has taken a definate turn for the worse, with the temperature plummeting to 19 degrees over the last few days. I know it doesn't sound too bad, but when you are used to more and your blood has thinned out, it's plenty cold enough.

At work, I'm starting to get stick already with regard to the up and coming England Rugby tour. Looks like the team will be minus Jonny and Johnson and so we might struggle a bit.

Joseph is doing fine, and is tentatively walking. If he's distracted by his toys, the Simpsons or toast then he can usually manage a few steps. But as soon as he starts to think about it, he gets nervous and sits down.

Am signing off now, to cook some steak on the BBQ - I know it's cold, but we've got to get some good use out of the barbie!

MrT 5/04/2004 10:32:00 am [+] : Feedback!