Wed, 28 Nov 2007
What's fascinating about the election fallout is seeing just how far the Libs have fallen. To the point where sections are now advocating dumping WorkChoices, signing Kyoto, apologising to the stolen generation... how much closer would the election have been if these policies had been taken to the election, rather than mothballed for the last 11 years by Howard?
And even more importantly, why did these people take these policies to the election if they did not believe in them?
It is truly a heart-warming sight to see such a blanket rush to avoid being associated with any of Howard's mean-spirited beliefs - from committing to reconciliation with indigenous Australia, to reducing our impact on the planet, to pushing for an Australian republic - all of these ideas and goals and fresh optimistic targets are now within reach.
Mon, 26 Nov 2007
For the first time in Nicole and John's trip to Sydney, today was sunshine, blue skies and warm weather. We went out to Manly and swam at the beach - even enjoying some fairly decent body surfing waves.
Swimming at the beach is not something that the typical Tasmanian would do very often, and is such a Sydney experience that it would have been a shame not to do.
Then, we bought a couple of ice creams, and strolled down the Corso before heading home. John was probably a bit grateful for a few hours not spent shopping!
The previous day we'd spent at Birkenhead and Haymarket shopping, a few drinks in the late afternoon at Darling Harbour, and tea in Chinatown. So all up, a pretty hectic weekend.
Let's just say I enjoyed every minute of the election coverage on ABC on Saturday night. That enjoyment was heightened watching the Rodent lose his seat, and when the scale of the Liberal shellacking became clear.
An Everest-like 14 seat goal became a 36 seat turnaround - a thrashing in anyone's book.
Oh, and that tacky little incident with the bigots in Lindsay? Superb own goal there. Nice one:
Thu, 22 Nov 2007
My sister and her fiance are up here in Sydney, staying with us for the week. I'm really excited since we haven't seen them since last Christmas (it's hard sometimes being separated from family by over 1500 kilometres), and because they haven't spent much time at all here.
Both Kathleen and I have a shortlist of 'must do' activities planned for them. Unfortunately, it looks like the skies will be grey almost the entire time they're here - Sydney looks much better with blue skies and sunshine, although I'm sure we'll still have a good time.
Sun, 11 Nov 2007
Today we did nothing of note, other than a big walk in the late afternoon down through the back streets of Waverton to Luna Park and back via Kirribilli.
The best thing about North Sydney is the numerous small parks dotted throughout, with green grass, shady trees, groups of relaxed people enjoying the warm sunshine, and their dogs running around chasing tennis balls.
On days like today, with the late afternoon sun streaming down, we really feel fortunate to live here.
Kathleen and I had a combined party for our 30th with two other friends turning 30 around the same time - Eva and J-Mak, down at the Commodore Hotel on Blues Point Rd on Saturday night.
It was nice of our friends to be there to celebrate with us... even if the party does signify being another decade older!
Sat, 10 Nov 2007
Almost six months ago, we had to cut down the massive old tree at the front of our apartment block, when it developed a rot that, according to the council arborist, made it dangerously unstable. Since the tree shielded us from the worst of the daytime northern sun, our apartment is a lot brighter, and a little hotter, during the day, especially in the morning, which makes it a bit harder to sleep in!
We've been looking for a replacement tree, and yesterday planted a new jacaranda sapling.
According to one of the older residents, in the site where we planted the tree, there stood 25 years ago another jacaranda - which was poisoned by the previous owners of our unit! Apparently, they hated the mess the tree made in spring when the blossoms fall onto the footpath... which sounds like an interesting little tidbit of local history.
Mon, 05 Nov 2007
Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day with clear blue skies. We went with Steph, Eva, Lu and Denzil to Sculptures By The Sea.
At Marks Park, one particular sculpture appeared to be this year's people's favourite, judging by all the little kids and woman wanting to touch it (or, a particular part of it, and have their photo taken.
Under a hot sun, and particularly with the light reflecting off the water and the sand, it's a long day outside, despite a nice breeze in the shade (what little there was of that on the coastal walk). So, by the time we got to Tamarama Beach for an ice cream, we were pretty much sick and tired of SBTS for another year. It's just too hot to have such a big outdoor event in November!
