A slow boat to China creeping southward from Keelung to Manila, slicing through the inside of the South China Sea, on the outside of the typhoon season, a long time ago. Alone, together on a traditional but unique honeymoon, cocooned within a quaint two and a half thousand tonne refrigerated rust bucket carrying [Read more]
The flat white chord
February 7, 2012 by 14 Comments
by Vin Maskell At first I thought the voice was coming through the speakers of the large, neat café, trying to be heard above the burble of lunch orders and the boiling, bubbling and steaming of the baristas at work. Then I wondered if a busker, carried away mid-song, had strayed in to take [Read more]
Link: Soul Train Tribute
February 5, 2012 by 2 Comments
Courtesy of Rick Kane. Don Cornelius, creator and host of Soul Train, has passed away aged 75. For a stroll through black American music and styles of the last 40 years just click below: http://idolator.com/6161621/don-cornelius-soul-train-line-dances
Yvette’s One-Eyed Week
January 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The week in sport through Yvette Wroby’s (one?) eye.
360 hours
January 27, 2012 by 4 Comments
360 hours. In anyone’s language that it a fair chunk of your life. Straight out it is 15 days. In working time (8 hour days) its 45 days. Measured at one hour per week it takes well over six years. And this is the point that I am trying to make – it can be [Read more]
“First Dog on the Moon” Art Exhibition
January 25, 2012 by 2 Comments
“First Dog on the Moon” Art Exhibition: A must see, and it ends on Saturday 28th January. by Yvette Wroby Yesterday, I decided on the hot Sunday morning to pretend I was overseas and holidaying and do what one does on holidays and go for adventures. So I jumped on my trusty tram and [Read more]
Into temptation: the extended mix
January 23, 2012 by 26 Comments
Vin Maskell presents an extended mix of a music pilgrimage story. I’ve got to be careful when I visit the CD shop at lunchtime. I’ve got to make sure I don’t reach for my wallet every time I make my weekly visit. Down from the 16th floor, along Queen St, into Little Lonsdale, then [Read more]
Echoes and regrets: notes on 2011
January 2, 2012 by 3 Comments
Vin Maskell reflects on a handful of music moments 1 Seeing Clare Bowditch. Hearing Clare Bowditch. Seeing and hearing Clare Bowditch singing songs recorded by the late Eva Cassidy. Call it a tribute concert. Call it cover versions of cover versions. Call it a fine night of music. A very fine night, tinged inevitably [Read more]
2011 – Looking Forward, Looking Back
December 31, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The angel sounded – the sentinel horn, The final quarter of the old year gone; It’s been a good year for the team up in heaven, Got the best of the Draft in Two Thousand Eleven. Yabby’s the coach of this team for the Ages, With Doc as the skipper of the BeSainted [Read more]
Top Australian Albums of 2011
December 28, 2011 by 11 Comments
by Andrew Fithall Last year I wrote about my top ten albums for the year, but there were no geographical boundaries. For some reason (probably the influences of my radio station of choice) this year my music perspective has become a bit narrower. This list is following that trend. My top twelve (couldn’t settle [Read more]
BOXING DAY
December 23, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Boxing day, aah! Official rest, Blissful relaxation, I’m going to watch the Test. Christmas recovery is underway Time to put my feet up and watch the Aussies play. No orders, demands or chores from the boss Why, I was even asked, if our captain won the toss! The kids are outside, occupied with new [Read more]
AN ALMANACKERS CHRISTMAS TALE
December 22, 2011 by 4 Comments
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even Harms’ mouth; Blue and white stockings – the chimney festoon, In hopes that the Handicapper will be filling them soon; The children were nestled all snug in their beds; As visions of Cats premierships danced in their [Read more]
Off Season Odyssey Pt.5: Dreams, and One in 5,000,000.
December 18, 2011 by 6 Comments
The trouble with an Off Season Odyssey is you don’t get a real break from footy. A day in Melbourne and I’m over it. My old mate, Gianpi, lines me up a week on a demolition crew, which is good, then we have a kick, because we’ve had a kick for 30 years, no [Read more]
My current bucketlist
December 16, 2011 by 3 Comments
I want to travel. I want to do good things as a volunteer. I want to live and work outside of Australia for one year, sometime in the rest of my life. I want to learn a musical instrument… the violin will do. I want go to the gym in the mornings, not at night. [Read more]
The Best at What They Do
December 15, 2011 by 4 Comments
I didn’t have a ticket for Rod Laver Arena so only caught a glimpse before security chased me out. Just a few moments, but they were enough. I saw McEnroe play and I’ve never forgotten it. McEnroe glided to his left. He was in position, two metres behind the baseline, in plenty of time. [Read more]
Rantings of a reasonable man
December 4, 2011 by 5 Comments
By Sean Curtain I thought she said, “Celebrate”. That would have made some sense. After all, we were talking about what drew her to work for this worldwide company. They were an important global organisation, with a ubiquitous logo, thousands of places where their products could be bought and at this stage (later to be [Read more]
THE ALMANAC AFFLICTION
December 1, 2011 by 1 Comment
I’ve got a strange affliction that’s always on my mind. It’s such a strong addiction it takes up lots of time. Morning, noon and night and when I should be fast asleep I get the urge to read or write and can’t resist a peep. Footy yarns, opinions Belly laughs and thoughts. [Read more]
Haiku for Maggie
November 30, 2011 by 2 Comments
by Damien Little The morning sun beats Starting slowly unsteady Gripping handle bars Determination Can’t let go a father’s test Start over again Determination Possibilities awake Feel freedom flying
Pre-season
November 23, 2011 by 1 Comment
by Peter Edwards Pre-season training in full swing. The boys are back and all sweating. Running hard and doing weights, Speed and strength they elevate. Blues got brown in Middle East, In regal grounds, they trained in peace. And from the cave the Hawks emerge, September demons have been purged. Bored with schoolies, surf [Read more]
Music and Melbourne Venues
November 21, 2011 by 7 Comments
The Tote goes on. This iconic music venue in Collingwood, previously closed and now re-opened, is celebrating thirty years of live music. On the other hand, the Prince of Wales Hotel in St Kilda was sold and so another live venue has a future under threat. But as former Age journalist and now Executive Officer [Read more]
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