Saturday, July 31, 2004
Behind the scenes at a media circus
My friend Jess launched the Australian Democrat's Youth Poll today with Senators Natasha Stott-Despoja and Andrew Bartlett at Luna Park. I was there giving Jess some moral support, and behaving like an "interested young person" for the cameras. I also took some photos of the occasion - some of which are above.
Channel Ten showed up in the form of a 22yo (spunky) reporter and his camera man. He interviewed Natasha, Jess and Andrew about young people, their opinions and about urging them to register to vote. They did a number of shots of walking with young people, and talking with young people - with rides in the background and screaming kids everywhere. They even got shots of Andrew and Jess eating fairy floss and riding on the carousel.
It's interesting to see media at work behind the scenes - particularly when you know the participants and are privy to their concerns and opinions. However, this observer thinks it went well and looks forward to seeing the report on the news very soon.
And Billy was there too (see photo above). Billy is an avid journalist and took the opportunity to interview Jess himself - a transcript should appear on here soon. Watch this space!
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Project: Laneways
I've embarked on an ambitious project to create a photo essay of all the 180-odd laneways in Melbourne's CBD. For this I have started another blog - Lanes of Melbourne. However, I will let you know on here when I post up a new laneway (which will hopefully be weekly).
Meanwhile, check out Billy giving Cohen Place the thumbs up above as well as the other Cohen Place photos.
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Everyone, this is Billy
Click on the photo above to see where Billy has been. This photo was taken a while ago (hence why there are people at the beach).
There isn't an urban creature quite like Billy. He's exudes a wonderful, warm glow of joy and youthfulness (he even looks young for his age - he's really 23yo). Once a week I hope to show a picture of Billy somewhere in Melbourne. Everyone loves a slide-show don't they?
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Three images of Albert Park
Monday, July 26, 2004
Ghost Sites
The internet is full of ghost sites. Once thriving, active sites now littering cyberspace with failed dreams and broken links. Ghost sites occur for a number of different reasons - ranging from the person responsible becoming bored with their (usually personal) website and moving on with something bigger and better (such as a life beyond the confines of cyberspace); to a failed e-commerce venture. More about these types of sites can be found here and here. However, I want to talk about what happens when the creator of a personal website suddenly dies. This is heart-wrenching stuff - particularly when the site's creator is young.
These are truly ghost sites. Inhabited by photos of the creator in many fun and interesting poses, lists of their hopes and dreams, their poetry, their opinions on topical issues, their whole lives spilled out for all to read in cyberspace. When they die, their website is left floating in cyberspace, not updated and left as a reminder of a life cut short. In some circumstances his or her friends pay the site's ongoing hosting or domain registry fees, post comments about their friend, and continue this lasting tribute to him or her.
This act of friendship, by those who knew them in real life or in the virtual world, is truly moving stuff. I can only imagine, as more and more people create blogs and personal websites, and statistically speaking, more personal website creators die for whatever reason - including old age - these types of ghost and tribute sites will only become more common.
If you know of a ghost site or a tribute site out there, please let me know about it by posting a comment below. I'll start with one that I stumbled across the other day:
CodysWorld
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
I'm Alan Jones and I'm a...
What an apt photo! So far this photo has been on at least 3 blogs - MelbourneLefty, MoreAustralianRamblings and HotButteredDeath. Personally I feel this photo needs to be out there more (although the original copyright owner may disagree).
Take it, publish it on your own blog, email it to friends, print it out, whatever.
Friday, July 16, 2004
Four Degrees of Separation
My housemate (on the right) knows someone who knew Marilyn Monroe's stylist. This is a recent discovery, however. Rob's been doing Marilyn (in drag) for years.
Thursday, July 15, 2004
John Howard Lies
He's told some whoppers in his time as Prime Minister and finally there is a website out there to catalogue each and every lie he's told in office - JohnHowardLies.com. Unfortunately, Liberal cronies have finally discovered this site and are calling on the AEC to investigate it (read the story here).
Coincidently, the website is down today. The website owners say it's not because of the pending investigation - but who knows, they could be lying.
Clown explodes at RMIT
It looks like a clown exploded but this is what a university looks like these days. However, as ghastly looking as it is, it does liven up a very dismal laneway. For those students living on a diet of two-minute noodles and instant coffee, it is probably more likely to cause hallucinations.
This is the Building 8 end of Bowen Lane (City Campus) for those of you playing at home. Posted by Hello
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Shane Crawford
When it comes to Melbourne's creatures, you can't forget our footy players!
I am a Hawks supporter true and true. It's funny that before I moved to Melbourne (I'm originally from Perth), I hated sport - including AFL. Now that I'm living in Melbourne, I can't help but be swept up in it.
Naturally, Shane Crawford is one of the reasons I chose Hawthorn to support. Yes, I chose a team. My family aren't big into AFL and those who are usually barrack for West Coast. I wanted a local team to support.
I just finished watching Crawf's doco special on Channel 9. Like his (picture) book (which I casually flicked through at a bookstore), it was a little all over the place. It drastically needed editing.
This aside, he's a remarkable guy and a remarkable footballer and the doco illustrated this beautifully. It's a shame he's out for the rest of the season due to a broken arm.
As for the commentators continually questioning Crawf's form and his commitment during the 2003 (and subsequently 2004) season - due to his presence on the Channel 9 AFL variety programme, The Footy Show, I have one word for them. Jealousy.
They want to be back on the footy fields again, in their tiny shorts, being adored by fans (especially the female variety). Now they are old, ignored and ready to take a swipe at anything remotely talented, good-looking and charming - especially when their team is losing badly. It's time to grow up, get a real career or better still - retire with dignity in an ex-footballers nursing home. Especially you Rex Hunt. It can be one near the ocean so you can fish all you like.
Go the Hawks! Go Crawf!
Melbourne Loft
This would have to be one of my favourite webcam sites.
The boys are local, they’re young, attractive and they live in an apartment in the CBD. They even host their own internet radio programme and have regular guests over.
The site is a lot of fun. They seem to enjoy living in the city and they make excellent subjects for my first feature on some of Melbourne's most colourful creatures.
It also helps that Melbourne Loft is run by a guy like Phil. He's gay, has a sense of humour and goes to the gym a lot. Three qualities I'm sure most gay men find irresistable.
Check it out and let me know just how biased I really am.
Monday, July 05, 2004
Urban Creatures
Everyone who has an opinion has a blog, a talkback radio programme or a column in a newspaper.
I choose to have a blog site. I choose to fill it with many misinformed opinions, spelling errors and a host of urban creatures.
It is anticipated that I will talk mostly about the city, about politics, about public transport and about anything else that either excites me, bores me or pisses me off.
Sometimes I will include photos. Sometimes I'll conduct interviews. Sometimes I'll do a series of articles on one topic. It's my blog, so I guess the content is up to me. However, if you'd like to make a suggestion - email me.
Watch this space!
