Category Archives: Stuff

The annoying people of Gumtree

I hate the idea of things going to landfill. And I love the idea of putting things in their right place. I’ve always been like that. My Mom composted before anyone else did. Before roadside recycling, my parents bundled up … Continue reading

Posted in Advice, Australia, Getting Things Done, Home, How to live, Stuff | 1 Comment

Sydney Food Diary: Goryon San, Surry Hills

A kushiyaki restaurant has opened up in Surry Hills, just a few minutes’s walk from me. What used to be the casual Mediterrean restaurant, the Reservoir, has suddenly morphed into a chic, buzzing Japanese place that specialises in grilled skewers. … Continue reading

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Sydney Food Diary: Botany View Hotel, Newtown

My pal who lives near the St Peters Station tells me that the pubs have some of the best food in the area. It’s the quiet end of Newtown and King Street is dotted with restaurants, but it is true: … Continue reading

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Sydney Food Diary: The Orient Hotel and Mrs Jones

Looking for a little Sunday lunch in between sessions of the Antidote festival of thoughts and ideas at the Sydney Opera House, we decided to wander over to the Rocks. I thought it was my obligation as an Oriental person … Continue reading

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Sydney Food Diary: Mjølner, Redfern

Could Sydney really support two Scandiwegian restaurants where you go through a non-descript door and to a darkened basement for fantastic, modern Viking food? Well, the answer is no, as I found out that the Norsk Dor in the CBD … Continue reading

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The Wonderful World of Water Kefir

One my better half’s friends, Marian, introduced us to milk kefir, a few years ago, and then another friend gave us some water kefir grains to try. I love the idea of kefir, strange little granules that make a drink … Continue reading

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Travel notes: the ‘Servidor’ or the ‘Coffin Hotel Door’

After I stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City in May, I wrote a little review of my experience, and the most interesting comment was posted below it, just today. I had wondered: what’s with the door? I … Continue reading

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A flowering cycad on our balcony

As a Canadian transplanted to Australia, my wonder at the weird flora and fauna around here is likely to never wear off. Since cycads are subtropical or tropical, I wasn’t familiar with them, nor expected to have them on my … Continue reading

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Book Review: Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates My rating: 5 of 5 stars Forgive me, but I’ve become apathetic these days. I used to watch foreign movies with subtitles, and now most often watch Hollywood blockbusters. I watch less … Continue reading

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2016 in lists (art, books, entertainment, shows)

Concerts & Shows Defying Gravity, Theatre Royal: A collage of Stephen Schwartz with the composer on stage at the end of the show himself, it was really amazing to see top Broadway performers letting loose with these songs: Sutton Foster … Continue reading

Posted in Australia, Blogging, Concert, Exhibition, Music, Stuff, Sydney, Theatre/Concert Review, Theatre/Show | Leave a comment