6 posts tagged “melbourne”

No, not with me. With south-eastern Australia. At first I had to double check the date to ensure it wasn't still April 1 (which is definitely isn't in this particular time-zone) when I read the news, "Traffic chaos as people told to flee city". But it's true. The whole of Melbourne has been told to go home from work as they're probably going to close the two main bridges in a few hours when winds get to 120km per hour. I just got an email from my uni saying that all classes are cancelled for the rest of the day. So, wow, high wind has closed an entire city. Those of you who live in hurricane prone areas are probably rolling your eyes at my shock, but this isn't something I'm used to in Melbourne.

In a way I'm glad they've cancelled classes. I don't like walking around in high winds as flying debris and falling branches aren't good for your health. On the other hand I like getting paid and as a sessional I don't get paid if I don't teach. However, since the appreciation for the intactness of my skull outweighs my desire for extra cash I'm not going to mope too much about it.

I'm lucky since I've been indoors all day. Now that the design phase of my project has started it's easier for me to work from home so I haven't had to venture out in this weather. I'm hoping all the Victorian and Tasmanian Voxers are coping with the wind okay! (And yes, I mean you Dylan since there are hurricane warnings for parts of Tasmania! Check in and let me know you're okay!)

 
 
 
ETA: I've just realised things are worse than I thought. I can't go outside. And I have no alcohol in the house. Damn you, Hughie.* And here I thought you were finally being nice to me.

* Hughie: The Australian god of weather. As in "Send 'er down, Hughie".

Early in Melbourne's history there was some contention as to what to call the place. I personally think that 'Melbourne' was a crap choice. I mean, why name it after a boring British Prime Minister when you can name it after the settlement's founder - John Batman?
 
How cool would it be to be living in a city called Batmania?

Seriously. That is what they were going to call it. I feel so dudded.

I'm really busy at the moment and shouldn't be blogging, but I thought I'd share with everyone my favourite building, Federation Square. It's a real love-it or hate-it building. When it was first built half of Melbourne thought it was the ugliest building ever created - worse even than the Gas and Fuel buildings it replaced. I'm not one of those people. I think it's innovative and interesting, and the thing I love about it most is that it's really built for the Melbourne environment. The stone used in the facing is actually more colourful when it is wet and given Melbournes (past) reputation as a drizzly city it's a very appropriate building material. Plus it has been designed with the idea of meeting place in mind. It's a great landmark at which to catch up with people and has a great community vibe.

What are the opinions of other people? Love it or hate it? Have you been there in real life? If so, does that influence your decision in any way?

(The following images are from the gallery of the website above)

Borrowed from Bookmole

Have you ever been out of your country?
Only once when I was three. We went to the UK to visit my mum's family.

What is your mode of transportation?
Walk. I pretty much walk everywhere. It's cheap and easy, but not good for my feet.

Have you ever eaten anything straight from nature? (caught a fish, had a garden, or picked an apple off a tree)
I grew herbs on the window sill once. They died. Does that count?

Tell us about some of the places you have lived.
Melton. Utter shit hole to the west of Melbourne. Full of violent thugs - and that was just the other kids at my primary school. Escaped when I was ten to move to...
Wodonga. Utter shit hole on the Victoria/NSW border. It's a lot nicer now and has cafes and street art. Back when I was growing up the only things it had were a Fossey's, cows and right-wing drunks.
Kingswood, Sydney. Supreme utter shit hole in western Sydney. Horrible, horrible place where even the children swear and throw stones at you. Nothing redeemable about that place whatsoever. Should be burned to the ground and have holy water sprinkled on the ashes.
Richmond, Melbourne. Nice place. Friendly and close to the city. Lots of factory outlet shops and an entire street full of Vietnamese shops and restaurants. Used to have a strange bloke on a large tricycle who looked like Captain Ahab. Great public transport. Only downside is that it smells like soggy Weetbix because of the brewery.
East St Kilda, Melbourne. Nice place. Quiet and leafy. No one seems to be able to figure out where the exact borders of St Kilda, East St Kilda and Balaclava meet, so expect a lot of confusion getting gas connected and ordering pizzas. Lots of parks. Terrible drivers.

Show us a photo from a place ... Any place!

The classy Christmas street decorations of Wodonga. I shit you not. The council used to put them up down the street to make us festive. In reality I think they just made people nervous with rows of fat little Christmas Gollums waiting to drop on you for nefarious purposes. Who the hell designed them? Why does Santa have the face of a six month old baby? And why is he holding his knee? His damn leg doesn't even look like it's attached to his body! Does he use it like a club to attack those on his 'naughty' list?

Sadly they are now just a memory as the council have scrapped them and the shops just put stickers in their windows instead. Slowly they are getting rid of all the ridiculous crap that once made the town such a laughable cesspool and they're making it a really nice town. Which is great for the locals, not so great for me because I have nothing to make jokes about any more.

*Sigh*

At least there will always be Kingswood.

In reply to the Great Southern Land Vox Group getting to know you questions:

What did you do on the morning of Oz day 07?

I honestly don't remember. Does that make me un-Australian? In my defence I'm on uni holidays so one day blurs into the next. I think my boyf and I got up quite late and ate sausages in bread (vegie sausages for me, piggy ones for the man), drank beer and watched cricket in a mind-boggling display of patriotism, or laziness.

Did you get sunburnt that day?

No. Staying indoors is a good protection from the sun.

Where are your ancestors from?

Various countries. On my mum's side they're from Lancashire, Yorkshire and Scotland. On dad's side it's all Dutch. You have no idea what these genetics have done to my level of cheapness. Tighter than a fish's arsehole - as long as I was given the fish for free.

What’s your favourite thing about where you live?

Everything! I love Melbourne in general. It's laid back, multicultural and a very friendly city. The weather isn't as extreme as in other places I've lived in Australia. As to my suburb, East St Kilda, it's safe and leafy, I'm close to the shops, the 24 hour bottle shop (vital), Albert Park Lake, the St Kilda foreshore and a variety of public transport. What's more we're within walking distance of both my uni and my partner's place of work. What more could I ask for? Oh yeah. Cheaper rent.

What's the weather like on the day you post this in the Group?

Sunny with a nice cool breeze. Must remember to venture out of the house some time today.

I've been walking (and running when I feel brave) around Albert Park Lake for a few weeks now. It's a beautiful spot, so last time I went I decided to take my camera. Here are a few happy snaps.