Wednesday, February 27, 2013

THE AUSTRALIAN UGLINESS

I'm ashamed to live in a country where some Anglo-Saxon cops still beat up Indigenous Australians and call them coons. LJ, February 28 2013.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

EDGELAND


I love the cover of Karl (Underworld) Hyde's upcoming solo album. It has an evocative, minimalist ECM vibe about it. I can't wait to have the album in my hands, heart and head - Underworld mean so much to me. LJ, February 26 2013.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

BIG UGG BOOT

The last time I was down in Sydney's Circular Quay, I noticed there's an obvious bit of empty space between The Toaster and The Sydney Opera House. This space just screamed, 'Fill me in'! Here was an opportunity for real Aussie culture to be presented to the world with pride... A big golden Ugg Boot should be erected there.  It'll be photographed more than The Opera House. An Ugg Boot says so much about Aussies. And nationalism. And culture. It should be a golden Ugg Boot. A big golden Ugg Boot with the Southern Cross on it! Good god. Genius. Genius. I think I might start up a campaign immediately, ask Gina Rinehart for a bit of cash... Watch that space... LJ, February 25 2013.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE BIRDS



Here's a list of some of the birds I'm hoping to see in Britain/Europe this coming April (I've missed them on previous European trips): Black Woodpecker (pictured; what a cracking shot; thanks to whoever snapped it), Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Hawfinch, Wryneck (I'll be lucky), Long-eared Owl, Waxwing, Bluethroat, Capercaillie, Black Redstart, Dipper, Jack Snipe, Woodcock, Smew, Black Guillemot & Eider. I'll cross my fingers.

LJ, February 21 2013.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

POEM #27

LOVE POEM FOR A MONSTER

In splintered afternoon light,
a humming six year old girl
leaves cut devon sandwiches
on the algid shore of Loch Ness.

LJ, February 20 2013.

Monday, February 18, 2013

POEM #26

PILGRIMAGE

Ikea, Tempe,
late Saturday
morning:

Swedish line fans
wander around
and around

a monolithic
black wardrobe
dubbed Pax.

LJ, February 19 2013

Friday, February 15, 2013

TWO YOU BEAUT UTES

The country town ute is such a brash, garish, self-conscious thing. Such a statement. One thinks of expressionism, even the gothic. It's both gorgeous and hideous, oozing testosterone and Aussie patriotism.

I've seen two utes recently in the Southern Highlands that have grabbed my attention. Yes, the quintessential bull bars, stickers, aerials, spotties etc. shone, but it was the signs at the front of their bonnets that really got me. One sign said Rum 'n Raisin' the other Wombat Killer. Both tags are perplexing. With Rum 'n Raisin', is the driver advertising his favourite chocolate? If so, well done, that's a more ballsy confectionary than say, a Milky Bar or a Kinder Surprise. Did he actually mean 'Rum 'n Raisin' Hell', to give us his personal manifesto, but the sign writer ran out of space? Who knows? That's a great Australian mystery up there with the disappearance of Harold Holt. As for Wombat Killer, I gotta say I'm aghast. That's not humorous, that's pathetic and unAustralian.

I asked for the council to erect a yellow diamond-shaped wombat sigh a while back as you come into my hometown, so motorists hopefully slow down and prevent more deaths of the beasties. We need to have real pride for our Aussie animals, not the desire to run them over and have a laugh about it whilst swilling 'n spilling Bundy. I've spoken to two people of late who've run over wombats and been sickened by the experience.

LJ, February 16 2013.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

DREAM CAR #1





I'm no petrol head, but ever since Mississippi Burning (1988) I've been an admirer of classic American cars. This interest has revved up of late. Whilst watching the first season of Mad Men last night, I drooled over Don Draper's golden 1960 Buick Invicta. Here's a photo from the net of a Buick LeSabre from the same period. Gorgeous.

LJ, February 3 2013