James O’Brien and Jacqui Conroy/Yelland on stage at the Chaffey Theatre, Renmark

Having previously blogged about “my life on stage” during my time living in Renmark, another reminder has surfaced this week. While living there, I also hosted both a fashion parade at the Berri Hotel, and the Riverland Dance Showcase at the Chaffey Theatre.

My friend, Jacqui was the person behind both events, and this week, she uploaded to Facebook a long-forgotten photograph of the two of us on stage together. There’s a VHS tape circulating somewhere, apparently which she says, she’ll do me a copy of and send. I might even Youtube it!

Willow

At the moment I don’t know if Willow is a boy or girl (I’m thinking girl), but I’m an uncle again. Congrats to Karran and Lyle.

Me and my dad, probably some time in 1966.

I was looking tonight at a photograph of me and my dad. By the look of things I’m less than twelve months old, so it was probably taken sometimes towards the end of 1966. Dad’s wearing a cardigan, so it was probably the winter of that year.

As I looked at the photograph, I suddenly realised how close I am now to being the age my dad was in the photograph. He was born in September 1917, so he would have been about forty-nine years old at the time.

I still have a couple of years before I catch up with him, but it was still interesting to look closely at the photograph and think about stuff. He still had a fair bit of hair, whereas I pretty much lost most of mine about ten years ago. Is that a pen in his top pocket? Yeah, I think so, as I always remember my dad having a pen and often his glasses case in his top pocket. He’s not wearing glasses. Are they jeans he’s wearing? What must it have been like to have been close to fifty years old and suddenly find yourself with a young child to raise?

Researching my own family history is something which continues to fascinate me. There are so many amazing stories within a family, especially mine. You learn so much more about the motivations of the people who you’ve grown up with, when you look into their history. “Ah so that’s why so and so did that?”, I’ll often conclude.

After a bit of a break, I’m back writing and researching at the moment. I’ve recently had some interesting correspondence, and there’s nothing like a bit of feedback to make you go back and look at what you’ve written, and realise it’s time for a re-write, and time to more accurately reference and record the research you’ve done.

I’ve also begun research on some ancestors I haven’t previously taken much of an interest in. At the beginning it can be a slow, painful process, especially when your ancestors weren’t all that famous, often couldn’t read and write, and so the “public record” about them is often a little thin. Through this blog and through the research I’m doing now, I’m hoping it won’t be so difficult for people in the future. Although it’s pretty unlikely I’ll be like my dad and finding myself with a young child to raise over the next few years, I’m hoping a little of me will live on in the research I’m doing now.

These are the areas of research I’m interested in.

AM/FM/SW Radio

Late this morning I had the sudden realisation I no longer have an AM radio in my house.

I listen to a lot of radio through on many platforms. I’ve got a DAB+/Internet Radio in the bedroom; I’ve got an internet only radio in the lounge-room; I’ve got a DAB+ sound system in the lounge-room; and through my television, computer, netbook and smart-phone, I can stream radio from anywhere in the world.

Mostly it sounds pretty good, and that’s why my preferred listening platforms are now DAB+ or streaming. But this morning I really wanted to listen to something on good old-fashioned AM. It was an issue of how the compression and processing of AM was dealing with a newish type of technology. And that’s when I started going through the cupboards and boxes and discovered there wasn’t an AM radio to be found at home.

Speaking of radio, that’s where I spent most of my day working on a few things.

Burlington Centre Dumplings

On the way home, I popped in to buy some dumplings from the Burlington Centre. It was a bit of a wait tonight, but the pan friend pork dumplings they have are surely worth the wait.

As I made my way up Devonshire Street, I passed one of my local pubs playing live music.

It was then I had a bit of a “I Love Sydney” moment, reflecting on how cool it was to be in a city where Sunday night can remain fairly buzzy. It doesn’t have to be a night where you sit in front of the television resting up for a new week at work. I’ve always loved doing things on a Sunday night. It just makes the weekend last a bit longer.

That said, I’ll be spending most of the night in front of the tele. I’m hoping there’s something OTHER than a cooking show or a talent show on offer tonight.

Or maybe I’ll just grab a glass of wine and take up a seat on the balcony and watch tonight’s “super moon”?

Design-work on Westfield Shopping Centre in Sydney

The first time some family members came to visit me in Sydney, I remember thinking how slowly they walked. Even though I’d only been living in Sydney for six months myself, I’d obviously already picked up some pace. Seventeen years down the track, I think I walk even more quickly. And when I walk quickly and with a sense of purpose, I sometimes fail to notice some of the detail of the many things around me.

But today, I walked a little more slowly and thus noticed some of the interesting design elements of the new-ish Westfield Shopping Centre in Sydney’s CBD. In particular, there’s some concrete work the Market Street wall of the shopping centre that’s worth having a look. It’s a nice reminder concrete can sometimes be a beautiful architectural design element.

Balgowlah RSL

I was walking more slowly as I was ahead of time to meet up with friends at Wynyard to catch the bus to have lunch and afternoon drinks for a friend’s fiftieth birthday at Balgowlah RSL. As far as RSL’s are concerned it’s pretty hard core (in a good way). The blokes of the fishing club were selling raffle tickets. There was a bloke cooking up $2 sausages on the barbie outside. There were very few people under the age of fifty. There could probably have been a separate car-park for mobility scooters. There were loads of people playing the pokies. And inside the toilet there was a pretty strong reminder about the reasons why RSL clubs exist, and therefore why people shouldn’t graffiti the toilet walls.

We had a lovely afternoon of drinking, chatting, and generally enjoying each other’s company. Oh, and Judy won a 6-pack of beer in the raffle. Happy birthday Donna.

Museum of Contemporary Art at Sydney

On first thought, the new-look MCA shouldn’t “work”. The contrast an older stone building with something new and concrete flies in the face of what popular culture would deem a good renovation. If you watch one of those home renovation shows, it’s all about “dodgying up”, “making new things look old” and “old things look new” and “making sure everything matches”. But I think it’s precisely because the two buildings don’t “match” that it works so very well.

Oh, and the fact they’ve really “embraced” Circular Quay with the new design. I always had the feeling the MCA “just happened” to be at The Quay, whereas now it’s very much part of the environment. There’s a rooftop cafe, for example, which affords STUNNING views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The MCA now looks like a “contemporary” art space.

Museum of Contemporary Art at Sydney

Inside, the MCA seems SOOOOO much larger, even though the actual additional space probably isn’t that much. But once you remove a few stairwells and “wasted space”, you have so much more to play with, I guess.

Previously, I’ve always had a feeling there wasn’t all that much art on “display”, whereas now it feels as though there’s lots to see. And indeed, there is so much more to see. We didn’t stay for a long, and so I’ve promised myself a return visit next weekend.

The renovation isn’t complete yet, as they’ve yet to finalise the outdoor landscaping. It will be interesting to see how they approach this, and whether the apparent theme of “embracing” The Quay contines.

Museum of Contemporary Art at Sydney

As we wandered around the MCA, and as we left we spotted the singer, Paul Kelly, and so Kate offered thanks to him for his performance at last night’s Jimmy Little Celebration Concert. “Thanks”, he said, “it’s really great for performers to hear this kind of thing”. Kate and I then discussed whether or not Australians are a little shy about that kind of thing, going up to a performer and saying thanks. We concluded, “yeah probably”. “We probably feel like we don’t want to invade their private space”, I added.

Kate and I settled on a late afternoon/early evening meal at “Spice I Am“. I’ve been there a few times; it was Kate’s first. We were there early enough so there were only a handful of people, in stark contrast to its “normal” state of being completely full to overflowing.

It was lovely catching up, as always, and especially since Kate is heading back to China in a couple of weeks.

Tree Removal Order

A few weeks ago, you may recall, I wrote about the Tree Removal Order posted on a number of older trees in my leafy inner city street. Although the reasons for the removal were clear, I was nonetheless sad to read the order. At the time, I wrote…

I’m lucky enough to live in a street with some beautiful big, and admittedly, old trees. They’re a pain in the arse during autumn and winter when they lose their leaves. But in summer, they come to life, and make the street in which I live a truly beautiful place to be. They also provide shade for the nearby children’s playground. And I guess that’s where the concern comes from – that one day they’ll fall over and cause injury.

On a “personal level”, I’ve “lived” with those trees for almost the entire time I’ve been in Sydney, which is now 17 years. I swear, as a boy from the bush, it’s the trees that have kept me “sane” through all these years. Whenever I’ve felt a little stressed, all I’ve needed to do was walk down the stairs, cross the road, and sit in the park. The trees have kept me “grounded”, you might say.

Anyway, this morning I woke to the sound of chain-saws. The removal had begun.

Half-jokingly, I declared on Facebook this morning I was…

Feeling tempted to chain myself to one of the three beautiful old trees in my street being removed today.

In response, a friend posted

It would be in keeping with your northern NSW roots if you did James – Terania Creek being the birthplace of modern environmental activism. I’ll keep an eye out for you on ACA tonight!

By the time I arrived home tonight – it was dark, and so I couldn’t see all that well – one of the trees had begun to resemble an Easter Island statue.

Ola at Schlager Night at Stockholm Pride 2008

Previously on this blog, I’ve written about my slight obsession with Swedish pop star, Ola.

I first discovered his work when he was an entrant in Melodifestivalen, the Swedish finals leading to the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2008. I thought the song, Love in Stereo was “okay”. A few months later I saw him perform live at Stockholm Pride and, again, I thought he was “okay”. He went from being “okay” to pretty fantastic when, two years later, he entered Melodifestivalen with the song “Unstoppable (The Return Of Natalie)” which was one of my favourite songs that year. It’s so incredibly catchy, and he performed it with such great enthusiasm.

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In the last twelve months I’ve also become quite a fan of his song, “All Over The World” which I think has a great tune, has fun lyrics, and is well sung.

Oh by the way, there’s a terrific tribute clip made by a Canadian which is very cute.

And then in the last few days, Ola has released via Youtube, his new song, “I’m In Love” which I think has a Gaga-esque quality, and which I’ve had on repeat-peat-peat, repeat-peat-peat-peat for the last few days. A “proper” video will follow soon.

Anyway, I just wanna say that I love the fact that, at 46, and with very broad musical tastes, there’s still time in my life for a good pop song.

At my desk

“My blog is now officially ten years old”, I told my friend over dinner last night. She was quite amazed, and I guess I am too. But yes, on April 27, 2012, I wrote the following…

It’s late Saturday night. I still haven’t packed, I still haven’t organised the house, but I have set up an Online Diary, so I can record all of my thoughts and feelings while living in the Northern Territory. I hope this period will be a significant one in my life. A real turning point. The last few months I’ve felt a little directionless. I hope this will give me the strength to make a new life.

A couple of days later, I wrote more expansively…

It’s been a weird day. Pat called me early this morning to tell me there have been complications with Michelle’s baby. Lachlan was born at 9.20 last night, but because of complications with the umbilical chord, the birth was an emergency caesarian. He had to be taken to Brisbane via helicopter, and Michelle followed in the ambulance. Michelle is okay, but there are some concerns about the little boy. Earlier today he had a 50/50 chance of surviving, but that seems to have improved. Concern about the possibility of brain damage remains. Please say a prayer for him.

Sadly baby Lachlan died about eighteen months later, when his little body could no longer cope.

As I look back on the last ten years, I have to say I’m much happier with my life now than I was then. Back then I was sad about the relationship breakup with Damien, something which I took far too long grieving. In between time, I’ve also I spent far too much time “beating myself up” over various things in my life and thereby making myself feel even worse. But something’s happened lately. I feel much better about myself. I feel much better in my own “skin”, and I feel like the new direction I was seeking in my life back then I’ve now achieved though in a much deeper way.

It’s been an interesting ten years with lots of ups and down. Although I’ve never been overly personal here – you won’t find the saucy details of a mad pash and dash in the archives – it’s been an interesting to have this blog as a constant. I haven’t been writing as much lately, as say, a couple of years ago. But still it’s something I enjoy doing very much.

Happy Birthday Blog.

New Glasses

I picked up my new glasses today. The consensus seems to be I look like pop-star “Moby”.

Footpath Flooding on George Street, Sydney

We don’t cope well with rain in Sydney. That means we haven’t been coping well for the last six months. There was more chaos on the roads tonight and here’s some late night footpath flooding on George Street, not far from Railway Square and Central Station.

My New Glasses - Dirty Dog Terrier

“Sorry Uncle Jim, I was just trying to give you a cuddle”, my young nephew apologised last weekend.

I was on the couch half-watching television and had my glasses on my chest.

My young nephew jumped up on my to give me a cuddle, and that’s when we both realised the frames on my glasses had snapped. Not badly, but enough to warrant a sticky-tape job until I was able to go back to my optometrist to see if there was anything that could be done. Thankfully, the sticky-tape was an almost perfect “colour-match” for the grey hair just above my ears.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t much that could be done, as they were made from titanium (not able to be welded) and were no longer stocked. It’s three years since I got my glasses, and therefore also three years since I had my eyes tested.

With that in mind, I decided I’d have an eye-test, and also get some new frames. I’ve got a two-for-one deal which means my old lenses have been put into new frames, and I’ve got a set of new frames with the updated prescription lenses. Thankfully, my health insurance was able to make a significant contribution towards the cost. Hopefully they’ll be ready later this week.

I swear, if I had boofy hair, a beard, skinny chinos, and was 20 years younger I would be such a “Surry Hills hipster”.

John Ibrahim in The Northern Star

If it wasn’t for Blues-Fest (held at nearby Byron Bay), the local paper, “The Northern Star” would have been a fairly thin volume today. Aside from the “social page snap” of Kings Cross nightclub owner, John Ibrahim, there wasn’t much to be found in today’s paper. Normally, when I come home, I can always find an hour or two’s entertainment in reading the paper, catching up on the hatched, matched and dispatched column, but even that was a bit “light on” today.

Today was a day of visits to cemeteries and nursing homes. We went to visit an ageing relative in Casino who recently moved into a nursing home. Sadly, another family member has succumbed to the combination of dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. She didn’t really remember us until prompted, and even then we weren’t all that sure she really did remember, or if she was just saying so. And then she said something about one of our “big family secrets” which meant she hadn’t completely forgotten everything.

We also went to visit the grave of an uncle who died recently, and who is buried in the same cemetery as legendary musician, Winifred Atwell which I’ve also blogged about.

The family was also interested in visiting the East Lismore Cemetery where my dad’s parents and my mum’s father are buried. It’s also the place where mum and dad buried a still-born child called Joan back in the 1950s. Although older family members must have known about this child, the younger ones certainly did not. Joan is buried in an unmarked grave under a tree. “Why is she in an unmarked grave?”, Nancy asked, to which I replied, “I guess it’s because they didn’t have the money for one”. We’ve never been a wealthy family.

Sitting on the back verandah, watching the lightning.

We also spent a fair bit of time this afternoon and evening on the back verandah. We watched the sunset and we watched the lightning which, contained in a rather large cloud system, was rather spectacular.

I guess that’s what I like most about coming home for Easter – just hanging out. When you live 800km away from your nearest and dearest, the phone calls tend to be about the major things in life. The thing I like best about coming home for Easter is that you get to experience the everyday things.

My nephew's favourite book at the moment.

For example, I learned this trip that my now seven-year-old nephew absolutely loves his fart joke book. As he read countless jokes out to me, I remembered how much I used to love fart jokes also. Hey, I still laugh at fart jokes now. One of my all time favourite jokes is Bette Midler’s joke…

I was sitting on the ferris wheel with my boyfriend Ernie and he said to me “did you just fart”? I said to him, “Of course I did Ernie. Do you think I always smell like this?”

I guess it must be part of the humour gene that only resides on the y-chromosome. I also learned this trip that my nephew believes his nan should go on Master Chef, and could win solely on the basis of her home-made sausage rolls.

It’s also nice to be home as my niece awaits the birth of her first child. As she awaits the birth, her partner has been working for the City Council on the construction of some new roundabouts. If you’ve ever been through Lismore, you’ll know that it’s a city of roundabouts, but apparenytly that hasn’t stopped motorists stopping their cars and getting out to abuse the council workers working on the construction of these new ones. That’s such a Lismore story.

It’s nice to be home.

Winifred Atwell memorial at South Gundurimba near Lismore, NSW, Australia

Being home for Easter is an opportunity to catch up with family, both the living and the dead. And today we visited a few cemeteries around the area, including Memorial Garden at South Gundurimba, about fifteen minutes drive from Lismore. It’s a small cemetery “in the middle of nowhere” with not many graves at all. It’s also on the back road between Lismore and Grafton, and so I guess many people pass it on the road without even realising it’s there.

The cemetery’s most famous resident is Winifred Atwell, a Trinidad-born pianist who was very popular in the 1950s and 1960s with a series of boogie woogie and ragtime hits. According to Wikipedia, “She was the first black person to have a number one hit in the UK Singles Chart, and still the only female instrumentalist to do so.”

A recent article in the local newspaper, The Northern Star describes her connection with the area and why she came to be buried on the North Coast right next to her husband whose own death preceded hers by six years.

Winifred Atwell grave at South Gundurimba near Lismore, NSW, Australia

Ms Atwell and her husband, Lew Levisohn, had lived on Sydney’s Northern Beaches for many years after emigrating here and becoming Australian citizens. “But on a drive (around the Northern Rivers) they spotted the tiny Lismore Memorial Garden Cemetery, South Gundurimba, and fell in love with its beauty and tranquillity. “It is quite a thing for such an iconic entertainer to be buried at a little cemetery in the middle of nowhere.” The couple also had a longstanding friendship with a now deceased Catholic priest Father Jim Carney, who was serving at Coraki when Mr Levisohn died, said Ms Preston. It was reported that Father Carney had been kind to the couple in Mr Levisohn’s final days and it was Ms Atwell’s wish that he be buried by Father Carney near to his parish and that she be buried beside her beloved husband when the time came.

Although I’m not what you would call a great fan of Winifred Atwell, I do remember with certain fondness seeing (as a child) her performances on television programs like “The Two Ronnies” and “The Mike Walsh Show”.

And I hope, Harold who I know through ABBAMAIL and ABBA Village and who has a wonderful story of having met Winifred Atwell enjoys, at last, seeing her grave and having it confirmed she is buried next to her late husband. I also thought it was interesting to see fresh flowers on both their graves, and to also see the small memorial to a great talent who died almost thirty years ago.