As I listened to the radio this morning, Liz Ellis played the classic summer song, “Hot In The City” by Billy Idol. Twelve hours later, and as I walked home, the song was back in my head. It was appropriate for the weather. Also as I walked home tonight I found myself stuck behind a series of tall women, all of whom walked side-to-side across the footpath. I’d been out with Graeme for several hours and I was kinda in a mood to get home quickly. They’d also been out with friends for several hours, I assumed, and had a bit to drink, I also assumed by the way they walked. “Get out of my way”, I found myself wanting to say. Graeme and I had met at four this afternoon outside St James Station.
As I waited for my bus from Surry Hills prior to meeting to Graeme, I noticed an ANZ bank advertisement was being filmed nearby. As I waited at the bus stop, I didn’t know I was part of the assembled cast of extras until a woman came up to me offering me chicken, and until the woman next to me was called for her scene. It was, to the best of my knowledge, the only time a proper film – not a student film – has been made in my area, so keep an eye out for it, and you might just see me in the background.
As it was, we probably met too early. Even though there were bits and pieces happening in Hyde Park, most of the action didn’t get underway until six. And so Graeme and I wandered around for a couple of hours, looking at the sights, marvelling at how the city was about to be transformed, and then finally having a beer at The Windsor which, apparently, no longer has air conditioning.
Along the way, Graeme tweeted parts of what we did…
sitting in hyde park at sydney festival opening day, fucking hot, sweating! about 7 hours ago from mobile web
james is getting sausage at sauerkraut sisters stand in the domain about 6 hours ago from mobile web
at the shift having a refreshing bevvie about 4 hours ago from mobile web
busting to central is not fun! A gazillion festival goers trying to go home, 36 minutes ago from mobile web
Highlights of the First Night of Sydney Festival for us included the Bollywood Dance Routine, some of the acrobatic works, and the weather itself. On a slightly political note, it was great to see so much Indian culture celebrated tonight. We left when we found the crowds became all a bit too much. That said, it was a fine, fine night in Sydney. Close to midnight and it’s still pretty warm right now. We ended the night with a drink or two at the Midnight Shift, which both of us noted was far busier than New Years Eve. Worse still, they showed endless hours of Fashion TV. And when that also became to busy, we decided it was time to head home. Happy Sydney Festival.
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