Mark Latham interview transcript

Andrew Denton interviewed Mark Latham on Enough Rope. The transcript of the that show which screened on 19/9/05 is now on the ABC website. Interesting read.

W: http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s1463685.htm

Marrickville Festival 2005

It was a great turnout at the Marrickville Festival. Got there after 1pm. There were three stages of entertainment, lots of food stalls like Turkish Gozleme, Danish pancakes, freshly made profiteroles, fairy floss, as well as some other trinkety stalls, community stalls, as well as the usual Asian food, electrical, clothing, fabric, fruit shops that are always there.

Have uploaded more 25 photos over at Flickr.

W: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chaosgeneration/sets/973320/

Slidenight is back! Flores Prats: Adapting Spaces

"The projects of Barcelona firm Flores Prats have evolved through an operative drawing methodology adapted from the office of Enric Miralles. Less about representation, it is a technique that enables the project to emerge through a process of over-drawing in plan. It is initiated as a mapping of the groundplane, whereby all the conditions of the context are ascribed the same importance. Adapted by Flores Prats, this methodology is reflected in their approach to architecture and design teaching, here they will discuss their work and ideas through a number of built and conceptual projects.

Tuesday 27 September – [Hurry! tickets very limited].
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney
7–9pm | General $10 Conc/Members $7* (includes a complimentary drink) |
Cash bar available too | Bookings essential T 02 8239 2211 | Nights at the Mint always sell out...

A collaboration between UNSW and the Historic Houses Trust and Slidenight.

FOOTNOTE – EXTRA!
*After the Flores Prats talk, grab a drink and check out the architectural exhibition BETWEEN ORGANISED LEISURE & PLAY. The exhibition consisting of the students drawings and models will be on display in the corridors of The Mint. Guided by local architects Eva Prats, Adolf Soccato with Sydney architects Rachel Neeson and Mariam Gusheh, thirty two architecture students from UNSW studied four sites in Barcelona; urban scars within a largely intact historical fabric and asked – how must the ‘contemporary’ be shaped by the condition of the medieval? Students were invited to mentally inhabit the old city constructing an imaginative meander through the existing fabric via tracings of historical maps. The site was read as a fragment of the broader urban context, generating forms in response to considerations of urban connectivity, street edge conditions and relationship to adjacent buildings and scale."

W: http://www.sydneyarchitecture.org/slidepages/opening.html

End of Harris St, Pyrmont

View of the water

There's a couple of restauarants at the end of Harris St, Pyrmont. There's quite a few places to eat along Harris St towards the water end. There's the Sugar Room at the water's edge. There's Hennessy's On Harris which is a comfy, casual cafe with an outdoor area, a Thai and Japanese restaurant next to that, and further up, there are other pubs, Nitan Wokstation - good Thai food!, a flower shop, Simon Johnson's fine foods, and a French patesserie, and moving even further up Harris St, there's Concrete and the fishmarkets nearby.

Shaolin Soccer

Kung Fu Hustle was really fun to watch so thought I'd see what other films Stephen Chow had written. Found Shaolin Soccer at the local video shop. It was fun to watch too. The two films have a very similar cast. It must be good fun to be able to get your mates together for film projects.

W: http://miramax.com/shaolin_soccer/index.html

Bust is over so sit back, wait for the next boom

Article in the SMH about how the Sydney property has "bottomed out" and will be back on it's way up. A few industry people talk about the traditional boom-bust cycle.

W: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bust-is-over-so-sit-back-wait-for-the-next-boom/2005/09/17/1126750168495.html

Chic new makeover plan for inner city

Article in the SMH about how the areas of Redfern, Waterloo, Darlington and Eveleigh will be "revitalised".

The four year plan will include: "$20 million on upgrades of the shopping areas along Redfern and Regents streets, scheduled for completion by late 2007.

The council's revamp will be supported by projects worth hundreds of millions being planned by the Redfern Waterloo Authority, the statutory body headed by Planning Minister Frank Sartor.

The recreation component of Ms Moore's plan involves an $11 million revamp of Prince Alfred Park, including a 50-metre swimming pool, a $500,000 upgrade of the skate park in Waterloo Park as well as $1 million upgrading three parks in the Eveleigh area and three in East Redfern..."

W: http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/chic-new-makeover-plan-for-inner-city/2005/09/17/1126750168486.html

Irish Film Festival 2005 - 23-25 Sep in Sydney

The Irish Film Festival will be screening at the Cinema Paris, The Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park, Sydney.

It will also be screening in Cinema Nova, 380 Lygon St, Carlton, Melbourne.

Sydney: http://www.hoyts.com.au/cinemaparis
Melbourne: http://www.cinemanova.com.au

Greek Film Festival 2005 - 8-25 Sep

The 13th Greek Film Festival of Sydney is on at the Palace cinema, Norton St, Leichhardt. The films will also be screening in Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide.

W: http://www.greekfilmfestival.com.au

Freedom Festival 05 - Sat 24 Sep

"A national music event to raise awareness of Amnesty International Australia's Stop Violence Against Women campaign featuring Ursula Rucker (Philadelphia, USA), Ben Mono (Munich, Ger) and Jah'licious (Auckland, NZ)."

The Civic Hotel, cnr Pitt & Goulburn Sts, Sydney
40 artists, 4 stages, 3 levels. 8pm-6am.

W: http://www.amnesty.org.au/freedom

The Malaya restaurant

It was a gorgeously warm, sunny day today so we headed down to King St Wharf. Had lunch at the Malaya. The food was nice.

Melbourne International Arts Festival 6-22 October

"Melbourne International Arts Festival is one of Australia's leading international arts festivals and has an outstanding reputation for presenting unique international and Australian events in the fields of dance, theatre, music, visual arts, multimedia, free and outdoor events over 17 days each October."

W: http://www.melbournefestival.com.au

ACP: Martin Parr Celebrity Lecture - 8 Oct

"ACP is proud to present the world-famous photographer, Martin Parr.

One of the most influential and innovative photographers of his generation, Marin Parr's witty, unblinking insights into contemporary life combine biting irony with a fondness for the people they record. A controversial member of the celebrated Magnum group, his photographs feature in newspapers and magazines throughout the world and his work has been exhibited in galleries in every continent. He has published 16 monographs, made numerous films for television and a video clip for the Pet Shop Boys. In 2004 he was artistic director of the Rencontres d'Arles, the longest running and most prestigious photographic festival in the world.

This is Martin Parr's only Sydney appearance. Seats are limited for this special guest lecture. Book your place early.

Please email your name and the number of seats (maximum 4 per person) you would like to reserve to the following address:

or call 9332 1455 ext 204

MARTIN PARR
Saturday 8 October 2005
Paddington & Woollahra RSL,
Oxford Street, Paddington
3.00pm FREE

W: http://www.acp.au.com/exhibitions/events.php#parr

Popcorn Taxi: The Magician + Q&A - tonight Wed 14 Sep

"Popcorn Taxi presents a sneak preview of this outstanding, critically acclaimed first feature from Melbourne filmmaker SCOTT RYAN.

Shot for just $3000, The Magician is not only a rivetting, original and funny take on the criminal underword it's also a test-case for what is possible when a strong script, innovation and digital technology collide. Join the filmmakers for this special Popcorn Taxi as it explores the behind the scenes story of how a 'little student piece' was able to not only attract A-list production talent but also major support from a significant distributor and financing from the AFC and FFC.

THE MAGICIAN
'When Melbourne hitman Ray Shoesmith discovers that his nextdoor neighbour is a film student, he commissions him to document his life - and more specifically, his job, which essentially involves, er, killing people. But Ray is no mere thug. Rather, he's a thinker, not to mention something of a motormouth, forever quizzing his victims about arcane points of trivia, or debating issues of questionable import. Is AFL legend Wayne Carey morally bankrupt? Was Clint Eastwood really in The Dirty Dozen? Darkly comic, and almost certainly destined for cult status, this no-budget mockumentary (think Man Bites Dog meets Dogme) boasts an hilarious script and a showstopping central performance from actor-writer-director Ryan.'
- The Edinburgh International Film Festival

After the screening join Writer/Director/Producer/Actor SCOTT RYAN and Producers MICHELE BENNETT live on-stage and NASH EDGERTON (via phone from Europe) for an interview and audience Q&A."

Wednesday, September, 14th, 2005 - 7:30pm

W: http://www.popcorntaxi.com.au/Events.asp?Event_ID=412

Margo Kingston's Web Diary's new location

Margo Kingston used to write a blog for the SMH. She left the SMH as she wanted to operate the blog in a different way to the Fairfax way. This is a link to the transcript of an interview Media Report's Richard Aedy did with Margo Kingston about her decision to go it alone and her vision for the blog.

W: http://margokingston.typepad.com/harry_version_2/2005/09/margo_kingston_.html

High-class kitchens are no place for steak and three veg

"ASK any architect or interior designer and they'll tell you that the finer a kitchen's joinery, the more expensive the benchtop and the pricier the European appliances, the less likely the kitchen is going to be used...

High KUR (kitchen use ratio) kitchens typically see little or no activity during the working week, because breakfast is a cuppa and a pastry on the way to work, lunch is in the office and dinner is at a restaurant, run-of-the-mill takeaway, or a reheated "homecooked" prepacked gourmet meal from the local deli..."

W: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16546884%255E25658,00.html

Dirty power plants making millions out of green scheme

"NSW taxpayers are being charged millions of dollars by a State Government scheme that aims to cut greenhouse gases but has done little other than provide windfall gains for some of Australia's dirtiest power stations..."

SMH article: http://smh.com.au/articles/2005/09/13/1126377316854.html

Murdoch has fresh go at mastering the web

Article in the SMH about Rupert Murdoch strategising how to make money on the web.

"It is of little surprise that Murdoch is approaching the internet with new-found urgency. Advertising dollars are rapidly migrating online. Jupiter Research recently forecast the online advertising market would reach $US18.9 billion by 2010, compared with $US9.3 billion at the end of 2004, at the expense of traditional media. The adoption of broadband means that consumer habits are fast changing, especially among the young...

Now, the News boss has spoken of his intent to build a network that will "redefine the portal". In an April speech to American newspaper editors he said: "We have to refashion what our web presence is. It can't just be what it too often is today: a bland re-purposing of our print content. The challenge for us is to create an internet presence compelling enough for users to make us their home page."

He went on to pursue two themes - the provision of deeply local and personalised news and the creation of "virtual communities" linking coverage to blogs and opening up sites to feedback..."

W: http://www.smh.com.au/news/business/mastering-the-web/2005/09/12/1126377256724.html

Bondi Junction Westfields

It's easy to live in Sydney and just hang out in your usual 'spots' and go to your usual few cafes, cinemas, bookshops etc. In the suburbs you usually have a Westfields or other major shopping centre where you can get your groceries, watch a movie, buy a book, and get something to eat. And in places like Glebe and Newtown, you can still go to Broadway or head into the CBD, or walk along King St and do the same things, but hopefully see some more alternative, ethnic and orignal things as well.

So I thought I may start venturing out a bit more every now and then to see 'more' of Sydney.

Thought I'd visit the Westfields in Bondi Junction as I'd heard that it was quite 'exclusive' and had attracted a number of brand name retailers into the centre.

The food court was pretty nice looking. It featured dark wood panelling and had views to the Harbour Bridge. It had the feel of the interior of an expensive restaurant. The food was displayed beautifully.

They also have a number of high end fashion, food and design retailers. Pepe's Paperie had some nice wrapping paper and cards available. Plenty had some nice kitchenware things. Other shops like Alannah Hill (women's fashion), kikki.K (stationery), T2 (teas) and heaps of other brand names can also be found there.

Many of these shops can be found along Oxford St, Paddington or the CBD anyway, but I guess if I were a tourist, it's a convenient place to visit, to shop for local and international labels and other goods all in the one place. Also a good place to go if you're looking for a label prezzie.

W: http://www.westfield.com/bondijunction/

The Idler - Issue 35

Saw a copy of 'the Idler' Issue 35 titled 'War on Work' at the 'Better Read Than Dead' bookshop in Newtown. I heard Tom Hodgkinson being interviewed on TV in Stockholm and then had a look at his website.

The Idler magazine comes in the form of a paperback book and is beautifully illustrated and designed. The articles in it are fun and thoughtful to read also.

Haven't finished the reading the 224 pages yet, but there's a really cool article titled: 'Seven Steps to the Idle Life' by Dan Kieran.

Step One: Give up ever wanting to be rich
Step Two: Rid yourself of debt
Step Three: Don't buy useless crap you don't need
Step Four: Ditch your pension
Step Five: Work part-time
Step Six: Do that thing you've always dreamt of doing
Step Seven: Take the test

Wish the article was on their website as it's a really good read. The article is mainly about the getting of wisdom, being happy by doing what you love doing, rather than spending too many hours in a job you hate and then buying lots of things you don't need in order to feel better.

Similar ideas in the book titled: 'Your Money or Your Life' by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin.

The Idler website: http://www.idler.co.uk
The Better Read Than Dead bookshop is at 265 King St, Newtown: http://www.betterread.com.au