The Sports Gene

As this is my second sports-related post in a row, you might be thinking “What’s happening with James? Where are the show tunes and theatre reviews you’ve come to associate with me and this blog?”

The truth is I don’t really have much of a sports gene. As a child I was never naturally gifted in that area. As well as being a little uncoordinated (I’ve always been hopeless at catching balls),I’ve also always been a little more of the “sensitive kind” (not really into the boysy culture of team sports).… Read the rest “The Sports Gene”

Stockholm or Sydney?

As I looked down on the ice and saw the surname, “Dahlberg” on the back of player number twenty-seven, I thought for a moment I could have been in Stockholm. Except for the fact I’ve never actually seen an ice-hockey match played in Sweden. In fact, this was my first ever ice-hockey match, and the man called Dahlberg was playing for “Melbourne Ice”, playing the “Sydney Bears” at the ice-hockey rink located inside the shopping centre opposite Sydney’s Macquarie University.… Read the rest “Stockholm or Sydney?”

Take The Other Turn

I was on my way to see a new exhibition at the ABBA Museum, highlighting the artists who have appeared over the years at Stockholm’s amusement park, Grona Lund. However, as I got off the ferry, I took a right turn instead of a left. I’ve long been on the view that it’s often a good idea to take “the road less travelled”. Sometimes you’ll end up down a laneway with nothing of interest. But other times, you’ll see some really amazing stuff.… Read the rest “Take The Other Turn”

Holding The Man

“I hadn’t realised it was so soon after his death when the book was released”, I told my friend. We had just been to see a screening of the movie version of “Holding The Man” at Sydney’s Verona Cinema. We were right in the midst of the film in many ways. St Vincent’s Hospital. “The Wall”. “I could lead a walking tour of the area covered in the film”, I joked. A couple of people at the pedestrian crossing laughed out loud.… Read the rest “Holding The Man”