The Banal Chew

Joi gin, farewell, & à bientôt

I am sitting on a high-speed train, blazing through the French countryside on the way to Brussels.  By the time I finish this post, we'll probably be there.  I wish they had trains like this in the U.S.

Mark and I are now over halfway through our vacation.  So far we've been to Hong Kong, London and Paris. Yes, we're tired.  And we have both caught colds, but despite that every aspect of our trip has been wonderful. 

We overnighted in Hong Kong and caught up with my long-time best friend (Mark I), who works there now and lives with his wonderful partner, King.  They both treated us to a fantastic night.  We look forward to going back when we have more time to spend with them and explore HK.  The highlight had to be the very funky cocktail bar we ended up in after dinner.  I think it was called the Blue Feather Boa, or something like that.  Completely unsigned and discreetly tucked away behind double doors lined with silk curtains, the interior was comfortably chic and shabby.  The clientele, mostly English-speaking men and women from all over, were drinking cocktails and engaged in quite a bit of merry-making.  Apparently, there are places like this all over Hong Kong.  It was great fun.

Mark I. looked a bit blurry after a couple of the lychee daquiris.

The next day we flew to London, where Kevin and I watched Mark and Jason get a bit roughed up in the Union Cup rugby tournament.  Thankfully, there were only scrapes, bruises and strained muscles to deal with.  We met some fun guys and had a swell time at the various gatherings and parties. 

Despite the rugby schedule, there was time for some sightseeing, including a day trip with Kev & Jase to Cambridge.  I'll have more pictures in my Flickr account when I have time to edit and upload them.

Punting with Kevin & Jase on the River Cam in Cambridge

Kev & Jase (and our punter...an American who attended the University of Arizona at the same time Mark and I did.  What a strangely small world.)

Sandy in the sun at St Paul's

 
I attended the Ascension Day choral Eucharist at Westminster Abbey.  The choir sang the Byrd Mass for 5 Voices for service music, as well as Stanford's Caelos ascendit hodie and Gibbons's Clap your hands, two of my favorite sacred choral works.  The organ postlude was Messiaen.  What a treat.  After the service, I shook hands with the Archbishop of Canterbury on my way out.  I left my politics at the door on the way in and decided simply to admire his sermon...and eyebrows.

Next up was Paris, and it was splendid!  The weather was cool and very rainy on one day, but we did not let that stop us.  Mark marveled at Versailles and Sainte Chapelle, and I had a great time seeing them again after so many years.  But what's up with all the beggars and scam artists everywhere?  I don't remember them. 

Mark wants a palace like Versailles.  I told him I'm not cleaning it.

Waterworks at Versailles

The ever-so incredible stained glass at Sainte Chapelle

We took the metro out to La Défense, the ultra-mod Paris business district, to see the Grand Arch.  It's grand alright.  The photo doesn't do it justice.  You'll just have to trust me:  the scale is mind-boggling.

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Update:  Now we're in Bruges, where we'll overnight as we work our way up to Amsterdam by train.  I'll have more to report soon!

Fair Europa

In just a few hours, Mark and I take off for Europe.  It will be his first time there and my fifth, although the last was over 10 years ago. 

This trip will be different.  I will be viewing the continent through a slightly different lens.  Previously, each time I was in Europe it was either as a music student or performer.  Like so many other singers, I always had plans to live there for a while and eke out my living as a musician.  And I did live there for a year and experienced what are still my most memorable musical experiences.  Alas, I never got back as a resident, and life took me in a few other directions.  It's not all rueful, however, for had things turned out differently, I never would have met my partner, nor would I be a step-dad.  How could I regret that?

Now, years later and with life as a singer behind me, I wonder how I will regard those places I had seen before.  I suspect there will be some nostalgia and perhaps a tiny bit of melancholy involved.  Nevertheless, I am excited to go and see the sights with Mark, who knows very little of the me that once sang in a few of those ancient churches and resplendent concert halls. 

Despite the faint shadow of those memories I might notice here and there, I will enjoy it.  I have no doubt.

Our boy, Tolstoy

A Child and Parents
by Zane
Year 3 2006

Once upon a time there was a child and parents.  The child was called Alexi.  The dad was called Sandy and the mother was called Rhyll.  Once they went to a Kung Fu palace.

They went to the master.  He said, "What are you doing here?"  And Alexi got a metal bar and beat up the master.  And while he was doing this, he said, "Die!"

They all farted for ten minutes.  And they they said, "You hothead!"

And then they lived happily ever after.

THE END!

Schulaufgabe

During the course of getting ready for a 10-month move, I've spent many hours organizing Zane's life while sorting, weeding and packing.  When we moved into our Waterloo townhouse in early summer of 2006, Zane was ready to start Year 3.  Now's he's halfway through Year 6.  It's been fun getting him organized. 

One of my fondest memories will always be Zane sitting beside me in the attic a couple of days ago, helping me shuffle through reams of old homework to find those rare items of squeal-inducing [kid you not] memorabilia.  But watching his eyes light up as he reminisced about his experiences at the school we chose for him is half worth the money, often scarce as hen's teeth, shelled out for the tuition.  The other half will come when he's made something of himself after all this learning and maturing.  I won't be the nagging father, however.  Oh no, I'll just provide an encouraging nudge now and again. 

Here are two of my favorite items unearthed over the previous few days.

From a project on towers. Zane chose the Empire State Bldg.

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Prayer for the 21st Century
by Zane

May there be no wars.
May there be no greenhouse gases.
May there be more books.
May everyone be a hero.
May there be no bad people.
May everyone travel safe.
May everyone and everything be free.
May the world be full of peace.
May the world be quiet.
May everything in the world be free.
May there be no homework.
May there be no bullying.
May some people not be strict.
May people help the poor.
May people die from old age.
May everyone do what they want.

Worth a try...

Mark and I are getting close to blast-off with our upcoming, 10-month relocation to the U.S., and we are very anxious to find someone to sublet our unit in Sydney (Waterloo/East Redfern).

We're in a great neighbourhood...walk to train and bus lines (but we have covered off-street parking), next door to cafes and coffeeshops

...and best of all, you can walk to Mardi Gras and Sleaze.

The deal: in return for looking after our animals (Roger, our miniature schnauzer, and two very placid, retired showcats), we are offering our unit in the city for *greatly* reduced rent. It's a sweet deal for the right person, and surely that person is out there somewhere! See below for a full description of our place.

A dear friend of ours is renting one of the bedrooms, but she's only in town 6 nights a month, so we are looking for someone else who wouldn't mind sharing those 6 nights/mo with her and then have the place to themselves the rest of the time. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please give a shout!

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Roomy 3 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath townhouse, fully furnished, Danks Street neighbourhood, avail 10 July for 10-month sublet.

Unit occupies three levels in a small gated community with secure, underground double carspace.

Ground level: lounge room, dining room, kitchen, laundry and half-bath. Wood floors. Two private patios, one in front and a larger one in back w/ bbq. Fully furnished, incl. LCD flat-screen TV, home theatre system, and hi-speed wireless internet.

First level: two bedrooms (one already taken approx. 6 nights/month), bathroom with separate tub and shower.

Second level: master bedroom w/ ensuite and private balcony.

Excellent location: walk to Redfern Station or Central, Centennial Park and Entertainment Qtr. One block from Danks Street cafes and galleries.

Price: $325/week, incl. hi-speed internet. In return for looking after our pets. We will cover all petcare costs.

Mark's Birthday Weekend

In a couple of days, Mark and I will finally be in the same decade...well age-wise.  We celebrated his birthday on Saturday.  I'm happy so many friends and family turned up at the Warren View Hotel to wish him well.  He's a good guy.  But I'm biased.  (Lots of photos from the party at my Flickr space.)

After the birthday gathering we rushed over to the Midnight Shift, where the Sydney Convicts' Rugger Bugger 8 fundraiser was taking place.  We couldn't miss Jase, Deano and Zane [not our Zane, but one of the rugby players] in their Single Ladies routine.  They did really well, although I have to say it's a bit freaky seeing your best friends in drag for the first (and second) time.

Following their number was the obligatory Full Monty show, this year with a prison theme.  Groovy music and hot men as always.  And now with arty choreography.  With so many Rugger Buggers anymore, you can tell the organizers are exploring various ways to keep the show fresh.  And fresh it was: guards undressing prisoners, prisoners undressing guards.  We were sternly warned by host Mitzi Macintosh not to upload any photos from the event [which kind of peeves me], and I guess there was an official photographer who was authorized to publish images taken that night.  You'll just have to do some Googling for his photos.  Or heck, maybe someone braver than I just ignored the warning.

Speaking of rugby, in precisely two weeks' time we take off for Europe where Mark and a couple of other Convicts players will take part in the European Cup, and where I'll be standing on the sideline with all appendages crossed that he remains intact.  Now I haven't heard from anyone regarding my request for potential sightseeing ventures.  I am sure there's someone out there who's been to London, Paris, Bruges and Amsterdam since I was last there.  And surely you have some tips, either on or off the beaten path.  Guide-books get so tedious after a while.  (Photo by danorbit. Licensed by Creative Commons.)