For a moment today I thought I was back in Europe. It was overcast. I’d put on my jeans and pullover. And I was preparing to walk down the street to grab a bite to eat, ahead of entering an art gallery. Sounds familiar, eh?

Things have changed around Surry Hills since in the last few months. I noticed the closure, for example, of two iconic establishments on Bourke Street: the much-loved Cafe Niki and what was the Labor Club (turned Arts on Bourke a few years ago).

My big goal for the day was to see the Blake Prize for religious art at the National Art School. And just as I was about to say it was totally boring and pointless this year, I went upstairs to discover all of the good stuff. Don’t ask me why, but all of the works downstairs left me totally cold. They were either “clever” or “not clever enough” if you ask me.

Figuring that was an energetic enough day I came home via Woolworths (I wanted to buy some tea). As I went to enter the store (I don’t often go there), I was told I was using the wrong door by a security guard on the front door. I get the impression that might be how he spends most of his time.

Coming home I’ve watched a bit of television. Which reminds me, don’t forget to watch SBS tonight at 8.30 for “Embedded with Sheik Hilaly”, a program produced by my friend Michaela.