Bored and loud.

With Saturday came the ever-popular Earth Hour idea, of switching off lights and un-used appliances for an hour. As it approached 8pm we were still waiting for our take away to arrive so the doorbell stayed plugged in, but after making the last cup of tea for an hour and turning off lights, we settled down to some delicious Indian food arriving at 8pm on the dot, lit the candles and spent some quality time together (we being Kat, Trav and myself). After I’d eaten my dinner I headed to see if I could get any photos of the city, lack of tripod proved the main problem here. However, the view was impressive, with most of the taller city buildings switching off their buildings including the Eureka building and Rialto towers (although apparently viewing platforms were both open during this time – presumably packed full of people). Some houses in our neighbourhood had switched what seemed like all their lights on, but the majority seemed to be doing their bit. I came home to find Kat and Trav playing Uno by candlelight, but both cheating and finding that green and blue cards looked the same!! Checking the colour by candlelight also proved dangerous, so instead we moved the iTouch next to the deck so we could see!

After I had an earlyish night on Saturday, I woke up early enough to go for a swim on Sunday morning. Around lunch time I woke up Trav so that we could go to the Game On exhibition at ACMI in Federation Square. A range of arcade, console and computer games from 1960s to now. At $15 for entry it seems a little steep, but being able to play them all for free was fantastic! After I beat Trav in most of the street-fighter-esque games, he beat me at Ms Pacman, which is only a little embarrassing. I then persuaded him to play Pro Evo 2006 with me, and after I scored a penalty (from his violent tackle in the box), I only mocked him a little bit. The guys behind us waiting found it quite funny too! Quite a good exhibition really, a good range of games – including portable games like Game Boys and PSPs. There were some information displays, but the majority was interactive based, which was great! Any people who believe that Earth Hour is contradictory and pointless will be glad to hear that plenty of electricity is in use for this exhibition.

At first I was little confused in reading this book, it seemed to be a fiction although told in the same way as some dramatic docos. The last 20 pages being references, I’m led to believe it’s a true story!

It follows the story of Claude and Madeleine, who met in Vietnam, are French and become secret agents of sorts after the Nazis conquer France. It follows their efforts to do their bit for the resistance and to prove to the British that they’re capable of it. However the book gives so little information about their characters and relationships and focuses on the activities and tasks, presumably because the references only give location and factual information rather than character details. So it is left unfabricated in that sense and we must assume why they act as they do.

The ending is quite an anti-climax, mostly because with 20 or so pages left, you’re expecting much more of a story. For it to suddenly end and begin to cite references is a shock, but that’s how it goes and there was simply no more story to tell. Despite reasons for the book being short and uninformative, some parts were fascinating and gives a small insight into the lives of secret ‘agents’ during WW2.

Now don’t get me wrong, I fully support the idea of Earth Hour. Being able to plunge cities into darkness is a fantastic effort to raise awareness of how much electricity we actually use on a daily basis, and how much we can reduce it. Landmarks across the world will be dimmed and millions of houses will turn off their lights (sure), TVs (uh-oh), microwaves (what will we eat?!) and computers (Oh dear God help us, what is the world coming to?) for just one hour on Saturday night.

I’ve roped my house into participating in this. With there being 4 of us usually in on a Saturday night, there are laptops, a large TV, appliances left right and centre and the necessity for light so we don’t trip over the organised mess around the house (and don’t tell me we could just tidy it up!) So doing this will definitely make a difference, at least if only in our bill.

However, there was a report last year when this happened that power stations were actually using more power trying to support the lack of usage – they had to decrease the power they were supplying and by doing so, were using more. Something like that. So is this really the answer? One hour a year?

We need approach this in the same way we should approach a healthy lifestyle. No crash dieting, no week-long exercise binges followed by, ‘Well I deserved it’ pastries. Rather than a one hour switch off, we should be doing these things on a daily basis. Turning off the TV at the button (or even better, at the power-point), unplugging chargers that we’re not using and turning off lights when leaving a room. Doing this over long-term will surely provide greater help for the environment – a steady drop in the use of power. There’s all these stories emerging of celebrities who take cold showers, sold their cars and put out 2 carrier –bags of waste a week, but we don’t need to go that far to make a difference. Let’s be honest, in the middle of winter, that hot shower we’ll be having will be even sweeter knowing that because one person isn’t having one we can use twice as much hot water!! (I know, I know, that’s not how it works.) But if we all recycle what we can and perhaps get a compost bin if the garden will allow, then perhaps we won’t have to pay for that extra large rubbish bin from the council.

For the most part, I am a dirty little power-saving hippy. I turn off my power-points during the day when I’m out. I turn off my light whenever I leave the room. I take very short showers. I choose to use public transport when a car journey presents itself. However, sacrificing home comforts? Nuh uh. If we all do our little bit then those that do make an effort, won’t have to make their lives uncomfortable. And I can leave the light on when I go to get a drink in the middle of the night so I don’t trip over the stuff I left on the floor in the lounge.

So sure, take part in Earth Hour, but we have to do the little bits all year round, not just for an hour a year. For an idea of what to do, I think we’re playing Uno and poker by candlelight (or perhaps no light. That’d make it interesting!) Or maybe I’ll just go to bed, so that I can get up early the next morning and make the most of daylight.

A few months ago, I wanted to work in a hotel. It seemed like a great job, for a couple of weeks. I soon got over it, realising how much of the job would revolve around phones and appearances. And rich people with no manners. (I was looking at the big chain hotels in the city).

So fast forward to March and my new aspiration is to complete a sports science degree/diploma or similar. Unsure of what my ultimate goal would be, but perhaps working in a sports/leisure centre, or as a sports therapist. I’ve even started looking at courses. Ideally, I would do this as a correspondence course, or part-time, but obviously I have no idea where to look for this. I found one place in Richmond that does a ‘flexible learning’ program, although the information provided is vague and I’ve had to email for more information.

Ultimately I won’t be starting until next year probably, so it’s all quite distant, but there’s no harm in looking. Photographer aspirations are dwindling, although not entirely gone. I met with a photographer before I went to Adelaide and he agreed to take me on as an assistant-type-person. I’ve just made contact again with suggested dates for my first outing and I’ll see how I go with that. I feel it’s important for me to gel with whoever I am learning from, so I’ll give it a shot and see what happens.

After finding out that I’d actually edited all the recent (and not so recent) photos on my hard-drive, I’ve decided I need to get shooting again. This long weekend, hopefully rain-free but overcast, should provide opportunities for this. I plan on spending time both in and out of the CBD taking photos of various subjects. Keep those fingers crossed.

Well this book has taken me quite literally months to read. It was very hard to get into, and finally very hard to follow later on. The story followed 2 twins in WW1 Russia, just before the revolution, and their way of surviving through the revolution and after. Sounds simple, yes? Well not quite. The author insisted on describing events and items in excruciating detail, making the whole book much longer than it could have and ought to have been. The story would have moved much faster and probably have been more of a pleasure to read if this were the case.

The characters of the story were all blatantly different to help the reader differentiate, but it was done in a very simplistic and patronising way. The prologue was far too long and also had too much detail. The speech used in it was also far to simple and obvious that it was trying to tell the reader what had changed – it would have been more bearable as a narration I think. Lastly, the story was believable to a point, however certain aspects such as ‘magical powers’ and many so-called coincidences ruined this.

Stripped down, the basics had potential, but the author managed to maul the story and make it hard and boring to read.

As Adelaide’s heatwave finally breaks and they spend a day below 35 degrees, I’ve just braved the hottest March night Melbourne’s had since the 1980s. My first Australian summer in over 8 years and I find it to be full of records. And I seem to catch them all. New Year’s Eve not dropping below 33 degrees, Adelaide’s 15 days of over 35 degrees (well, I was there for 4 days) and then Melbourne’s hottest March night. And to be quiet honest, I’m enjoying the heat. Today’s a balmy 33 degrees and I savoured my mid-afternoon post-office trip in the dipping sunlight.

The Sunday I left Melbourne was a beautiful sunny day, so it was only fitting that we spent it at the movies. We went to see ‘Run Fatboy Run’ before having lunch down by the Yarra followed by gelato or cookies and cream cheesecake if you’re me. Heading off to Southern Cross to catch the skybus, I realised it’s been 4 and a half years since I’ve been to Adelaide. At least this time the weather would be better (by my standards anyway!). I purchase my skybus ticket and hop on, sitting down with my mp3 player which I finally found at the bottom of my bag. The familiar text message sound rouses me from by daydream and I check it to find that my flight to Adelaide has been cancelled – panic! I call Qantas and confirm that it has actually been cancelled. They ask for my surname and transfer me to the next flight – just over an hour later, thank you and have a nice flight. Surely it cannot be that easy! I check at the customer service desk and they confirm that it’s all done, so I check in my bag and sit down for a good read and people-plane watch – my favourite things to do at airports.

Arriving in Adelaide was quite surreal, I haven’t been since the airport upgrade and I hadn’t seen the family friends picking me up for a good few months. Their son, I hadn’t seen in 4 and a half years. He was now taller than his parents and me, and driving. A very scary thought when I can remember him running around in his new pull-up nappies after his christening. Checked in with Grandma, let her know I’d be a bit late because we were going for a drink, then I got back to the house I’d last stayed in Adelaide, this time with the owner present. Quick dinner, catch up and then off to bed after a long day.

Monday, a public holiday. This meant that Adelaide was going to be effectively shut, so we’d planned for just a day of relaxation. An old school friend came over late in the afternoon and we caught up and then made a team effort of cooking for my Grandma. She was reluctant to just sit back, but eventually went to watch TV while we did our thing. After dinner there was some more TV we all watched before May headed home to do some study and I went to bed to finish a good book (‘Water For Elephants’)

Tuesday dawned just as hot as the previous day, but today we were going to the city. After breakfast we called for a taxi, which eventually turned up and we got to Rundle Mall. It was both frightening and reassuring to see it hadn’t changed very much! The previous night I’d heard there was a 20% off sale, and after May checked where it was, I could go and browse – and ended up picking out 2 patterns and some fabric for a skirt. Met for lunch with my only aunt in Adelaide at the Belgian Beer Cafe, which was delicious, and then we wondered back down Rundle Mall to browse and to catch the tram down to Central Markets. Grandma had been waiting for me to come so she could purchase heavier fruit and veg – so I became a pack-horse laden down with 3kg of oranges, a couple of weeks worth of potatoes and much more! A quick doctor’s appointment then finally, home. Air-conditioning on, and sit back. Another night in.

Wednesday was much the same, just reading most of the day. Grandma had a housing meeting in the morning but said I could sleep in – unfortunately the phone went twice and Grandma came back in 3 times so I wasn’t going to get any sleep!! I just took it easy until she came back, and then she had a hospital appointment – and told she wouldn’t need another so came home in good spirits. Later on, I went out for dinner with the Smarties (who had picked me up) and then went back to their place to watch a movie, so Grandma had some peace for the evening.

Thursday I had a free morning, but was seeing another family friend later after lunch, they used to live around the corner from us. Driving back to my old street, I didn’t recognise very much, but it was nice to see my old house again – looking much smaller than I remember! As did their place, where we stopped for a drink before going to Tea Tree Plaza for a look around and a coffee. I remembered bits and pieces of it, but they’ve extended one end so I had a little bit of trouble! They took me ‘home’ and came in for a coffee and a chat with my Grandma before leaving us to dinner before I had to finish packing and the Smarties came to pick me up again to go home. Arriving at the airport, the ominous label ‘delayed’ next to my flight was shown, but thankfully only by 20 minutes and it was a smooth journey back.

A hot but enjoyable trip, and I reckon I’m still better off in Melbourne. There’s simply more going on, and to be quite honest, it’s where my bed is. And how good it felt on that first night back.

The Friday after I got home, I saw Tiger Army play at the Hi-Fi Bar in the city. The Vaudevillians were the first support, and were mediocre; they didn’t really appeal to me. Zombie Ghost Train played next, and although I’d heard mp3s of them before and hadn’t enjoyed them, they put on a very enjoyable live performance. I may have to listen to their mp3s again. Tiger Army however, blew them both out of the water. They had a huge energy, they played a good mix of stuff, and the crowd were loving it. I’m just very glad I took my fan with me – it was stinking hot in there, and I had quite a few people tell me what a great idea it was, turning green with envy! A great night was had by all.

As always when reading these true stories about the hard life someone has had, I take it with a pinch of salt. For example James Frey’s ‘A Million Little Pieces’ turned out to be largely falsified, so I’m always careful when reading this sort of book now – rather than get sucked in and have a huge amount of sympathy for someone who simply has an overactive imagination.

Although this is the first book of his I’ve read (I believe he has 1 or 2 others), this one is definitely readable without having read the others. It follows the end of his time in low security prisons, leaving to a hostel and finally making another life for himself. It details all his criminal exploits as he is emerging from prison, believing it is the easiest way to become self-sufficient quickly. He also takes the path of a ‘low risk’ job – that of an author. This book tells how he wrote, edited and then promoted his first book.

However the main story through this is one of love. The unconditional love of his mother, who has stood by him during the 20 years in prison and continues to look after him after he leaves prison. Then the hard, fighting yet immensely passionate love with his young girlfriend. There is a very spiritual side to this story, and he has very spiritual attractions to people, but the one with Janice is fascinating. I won’t spoil this one, but I’ll say that it’s definitely worth reading despite the anti-climax of the end. It is still an amazing piece of writing, with the kind of life that very few people have, or choose to have.

What could have easily been a generic nice story with nice characters and nice animals was actually a fantastic story of love, loss and respect. Following 2 parts of the story, one being a young Jacob, dropping out of college after his parents’ death and the random luck that the train he jumped should be a circus train. The other part follows a 90 or 93 year old Jacob in a nursing home, frequently forgotten by family and patronised by the nursing home staff.

Based on many true stories of circus trains in the United States, it is easy to follow the many characters and the simplicity of the hierarchy they all follow is unbelievable. Jacob is attached to the menagerie after they find out he was training to be a vet, and becomes a hugely important part of the story when he realises just what Rosie the elephant can do. All the while falling in love with a married performer.

The story ends in a way that is hard to believe true – while the rest is – but is beautiful all the same and makes for a hugely enjoyable book.

My trip to Adelaide, and 2 more books.

‘Water for Elephants’ and ‘Life After Life’.

So I guess this is my first ‘popular’ book of the year. Highly recommended by many, I’ve been meaning to read this for quite a while. I finally bought it and started reading, but immediately I found it wasn’t the ‘top novel’ I’d been told about. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very good read, an interesting subject matter and definitely makes you think – but it just isn’t as good as everybody has made it out to be. I was expecting another Pride and Prejudice.

One little thing throughout it that annoys is that it keeps trying to teach the reader Farsi – the language spoken by the characters – but just the key words. It occurs throughout the book and it really gets to me, for no particular reason. It always does it in the same way, repeating the English just after it and you begin to see it coming by the end.

I don’t see it is as a bad story, in fact I find it fascinating how the cultures interact and the relationship of the two young boys. It’s also interesting to see the point of view of Afghans in America, and how little changes after they’ve moved with regard to interacting and the social rules.

It was relatively easy to read, but not annoyingly so. It was more the fact I needed to know what happened and kept reading! I am probably being too hard on it, but I did actually enjoy reading it (although it is heartbreaking at times) and will probably re-read in the future. Now though, I really would like to see the movie and how it converted.