Big Day Out of Bounds
Posted by cacophony in : Entertainment , 9 comments
So the Big Day Out organisers are urging people to leave their flags at home, to avoid stirring racial tension at the rock festival. But the flag, to me, is not about race at all. That is the point, isn’t it?
The festival is known for taking risks (as any girl who took part in the 2004 She Pee disaster will attest) but this move will probably cause more friction than a couple of flag-waving zealots could.
Has the Big Day Out jumped the shark?
The organisers’ message is under NEWS at: www.bigdayout.com
A balmy balls-up in the Midsumma heat
Posted by cacophony in : Entertainment , 3 commentsFederation Square
Last night, Melbourne’s annual queer festival Midsumma had its opening party at Federation Square. All the bars got into the spirit (the multicoloured wig on the Transport drinks wench was a nice touch) but the drinks were a little pricey ($7 for a beer in a plastic cup from Arinji!). My gang of four had a great night drinking and chatting, meeting old (and new) friends and enjoying being out and about in our beloved city.
There were bands (including one with the delicious name Love Box), people boogie-ing and public snogging. There was air-kissing, booze, networking and the beginning of scores of relationships. And Melbourne’s gay community did what it does best: party.
It went off with a bang. Well, not for me, but there’s three weeks of the festival to go!
Midsumma events run until February 11. www.midsumma.org.au
Location:
Cnr Swanston and Flinders Sts Flinders St Cnr
Swanston, VIC 3000
Australia
(03) 9655 1900
C’mon … kids?
Posted by cacophony in : Sport & Leisure , 5 comments
Last night, a few new friends took me to the Australian Open. Young Lleyton Hewitt was on the court, grunting and screaming “c’mon!” at appropriate moments.
I’ve been a spectator at many sports but this was my first elite-level tennis game so I was surprised at how well-behaved everyone was. There were only a few large groups in the crowd - decked out in Australian flags with “AUSSIE” written in Texta on their arms - and most spectators seemed to be middle-aged couples. There was little whooping, no whistling, only a sprinkling of silly chants and even the clapping was quiet and reserved.
Yes, it is early days of the competition and yes, it had been a bloody hot day; but where’s the spirit? You can barely hear yourself think at most AFL matches. Even during a boring cricket match at Junction Oval, the kids get a little rowdy sometimes. I think I’ve heard more yelling at the golf.
So why are we so reserved? Is it just tennis? Why do we watch sport like we’re sitting on the couch at home? Is this a symptom of too much televised sport?
What is the point of going if your sportsmen don’t know you’re there to support them?
In the swim
Posted by cacophony in : Local services , 5 commentsYes, there is a drought but do councils have the right to close our beloved pools?
Sorted out for Es and whizz
Posted by cacophony in : Entertainment , 3 commentsSome people crave food, others are hooked on crack. Me, I’m addicted to music.
It doesn’t seem to matter what kind of music, even, though I do like it when the bass is so loud it makes my ribs vibrate. I can’t get enough of it and I’m willing to go way out of my comfort zone to find it (read: Belgrave).
Sometimes I go to see bands I’ve never heard of because they have cool names (read: Actor/Model and Ouch! My Face at the Tote tonight).
Going to see live music is just like a drug: you buy your tickets from a shady-looking fellow and you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get. You’re in a crowd of a hundred people but it feels like the band is playing for you. The gig has the capacity to ruin your night or change your life.
Like a drug, there are side effects: tinnitus, sore feet, tiredness, agoraphobia and the propensity to get drunk. And you have to deal with people pushing in front of you, being covered in smoke (bring on the smoking bans!), the hair-flick dancers, the mosh pit couples and the mobile phone snappers.
So why do I keep going back? Because there is something old, almost primal, about listening to music in a crowd. Because there isn’t any experience like it. Because I have a thing for musos.
And because I’m hooked, clearly. But is that so bad?
Flying high
Posted by cacophony in : Local services , 3 commentsMelbourne Airport
Congratulations to the Melbourne Airport for fixing its long term car park pick up situation. It used to have a handful of vans hauling luggage carts chugging around the car park: one picking up and one dropping off. More than once, I have missed a flight while waiting for the shuttle bus to the terminal (or more accurately, waiting for one that wasn’t full of people already). The check-in staff tell me I’m not the only one swallowed by the Long Term Car Park Monster.
But the powers that be have reconfigured the sprawling parking lot and introduced big buses that pick up and drop off passengers at the same time. It’s much quicker and much more efficient.
If you’re going for more than a couple of days, though, make sure you write down where you left your car or, like me, you’ll spend ninety minutes meandering through the parks looking for your beastie.
Location:
Locked Bag 16
Tullamarine, VIC 3043
Australia
(03) 9297 1600
