Tag Archives: Oz

Summer Heights High

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My latest discovery on HBO: Mr G and Ja’mie King in Summer Heights High. It’s my latest instant favourite. The show is a 2007 “Mocumentary” about public high school life in Australia created, written by and starring Chis Lilley, who portrays three different characters at the fictitious high school; effeminate and megalomaniacal “Director of Performing Arts” Mr G; self-absorbed, overprivileged teenager Ja’mie King; and problem child, disobedient student Jonah Takalua. Bitingly funny, and all too close to the real thing for comfort sometimes. Here’s a little sampling of each:

Ja’mie King – Summer Heights High, Ep 01

Here she is in Ep 02 at her first day at school. And what a bitch!  8:20
Here’s Ja’mie Flirting with a Boy.  1:41

Summer Heights High – Introducing Mr G, Ep 01

Here he is working on a new musical.  1:48
And of course, holding the auditions from hell.  1:15

This… well… here is Jonah the trouble child.  1:30


Me as a Pink Elephant?

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Today in art therapy we were asked to draw what we need most right now. Very shortly before that we’d had a session on Affirmation where I discussed my need to re-establish the boundaries with my ex, who still thinks it’s ok to contact me whenever he feels like he misses me to ask me to take him back. I drew a pink elephant walking down a yellow brick road that has no beginning and no end. The pink elephant represents fun and escapism to me— a vision that comes to alcoholics when their liver is failing them —to me it’s the ultimate fantasy: one of my favourite animals in the world which I haven’t yet had the opportunity to interact with on an individual basis, I imagine pink elephants are like giant toys, ready to spirit you off to whatever place makes you happiest. The yellow brick road, of course, is borrowed from The Wizard of Oz. To me it represents the road to Oz. Oz as in Australia. In my mind it still remains as one of the most special places in the world I’ve ever had the opportunity to visit, and it’s all too easy to fantasize about starting over my life on that magical continent. In the drawing, the yellow path surrounds the elephant. The solar plexus chakra, which is represented by the colour yellow represents personal power. So by sorrounding myself with the colour yellow, I am surrounding myself with my personal power and thus being very clear about what my boundaries are. Which led me to think that maybe the pink elephant was meant to represent me! But I got really confused at that point because whatever fun loving part is still left in me is burried so deep down I don’t know how to access it anymore. But then again, maybe it’s closer to the surface than I even realize!

That’s it. I’d show the actual drawing to you but I didn’t think to take a photo of it while it was still light out. Besides, whatever you imagine the drawing to be like is probably much better than the actual drawing —in this instance, the concept truly is much better than it’s representation—but I did put luck on my side and had his trunk pointing resolutely upward.

Pic: +fatman+, Flickr

Good Bad Guys vs. Bad Good Guys

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True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey
Had I done the slightest bit of research before starting to read this book, I would have known that Ned Kelly and his “gang” were true historical figures and considered by many Australians as folk heroes. As it was I thought that Peter Carey was very clever to invent this fictional character and present him to us through a series documents supposedly written by the infamous Kelly himself. Of course, Carey did in fact write a fictional story since what Kelly’s exact actions and thoughts and intentions were will never be known to us. Ned’s first person account of his life story starting from when he was a young boy living with his mother, six siblings, and occasionally with his father too, who was an outlaw and spent a lot of time in jail. If we are to believe this fictional Ned’s version of the events, he became an outlaw because circumstances forced him to adopt that way of life and he was not in the least the hardened killer he was made out to be by the government and the media and it’s hard not to feel sympathetic toward his cause. In any case, it’s an entertaining story with good guys that are bad and bad guys that are actually good, lots of horses, guns and shooting and a detailed description of what living as a poor farmer in Australia in the late 19th century, or being apprentice to an experienced bushranger (Australian outlaw) must have been like. It’s all made all the more colourful thanks to Ned’s simple “adjectival” prose which although he’s obviously gone through pains to keep clean is riddled with the suggestion of expletives since the raison d’être of these documents is for his daughter to one day have a true account of the events that led up to her father’s death.

I gave it ★★★★ (packed with all the good stuff you’d expect out of a story about outlaws)

Cooling Off

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It might be snowy and cold in many parts of North America and Europe, but in Australia it is the peak of summer these days. It seems southern Australia is especially hot and dry—with average temperatures of 40ºC (104ºF) and up. It’s so hot in fact that our furry little friends are doing their best to stay out of the sun and find ways to cool off. This little koala apparently came onto someone’s shady back porch for a bit of relief. A tub of water was put out for him and after lapping at it for a bit, he got the right idea.

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Ahhhhh… Satisfaction!

Thanks to my uncle P for sending me the story.

What Bad Days Are Made Of

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There are some days when it doesn’t take very much to get me in a bad mood. Lately, days like that seem to happen when I’ve woken up very late in the afternoon—by then I’ll have woken up several times throughout the day and in a state of half-consciousness, I’ll have chosen the escape into more sleep rather then getting up and living my life. In one of my recent conversations with my dad, we agreed that I was using sleep to escape the way some people go to drugs and alcohol—or any other addiction, come to think of it. And just like any other addiction, indulging in the thing feels great while you’re at it, but when you inevitably come up for air, you feel ashamed, self-loathing and you’re stuck with the cost to pay. In my case it means feeling exhausted for the rest of the day, reduced daylight hours and feeling like a big loser.

Today happened to be just that kind of day, and as soon as I fired up my computer I found an email from my ex. That would be the most recent ex who is still convinced I’m the woman of his life, even though I’ve supplied him with plenty of evidence to the contrary by now. I’ve been a royal bitch to this guy. I’ve been patient and kind too, but truly, I just can’t stand the person I am when I have anything to do with him. That was more or less why I took my distances from him to begin with. Of course I could point the finger and make a long list of very good reasons why he’s responsible for our demise as a short-lived couple, but at the end of the day, it was the loss of respect I couldn’t stand anymore. The loss of respect I had for myself. Of course there are always many versions to a story. He remembers the good times over the bad. Must be nice to go through life that way, but I tend to take a more realistic view, which tends to leave romance in the lurch, that much is true.

The email: an anecdote to reiterate that he can’t stand Australia, Australians and that “awful” Australian accent. Followed by a mention of how much he misses me and when are we getting together? So innocuous, and yet it ended up causing a short-circuit in my brain after too much time spent mulling it over. Why say something like that if he wants to get back together? Is it a game? Is he being cruel? Is he just plain stupid? Can someone actually be that moronic? I love Australia. I’ve seriously considered moving there. I felt right at home in Sydney and got along famously with our new family members there. The ex knows all this, it all happened shortly before we met. While we were together he spent a very long time digging and questioning until I finally came out with it and said that yes, I had had a fling while I was there. I felt angry about being coerced like that. It did not lead to higher understanding. Just more strife and accusations and resentment.

I came to question everything I took for granted about personal boundaries, love, romance, sex, intimacy, commitment with that relationship. That wasn’t the first time, far from it. I’ve always been willing to put all that into question, only this time it came at a time in my life when I was learning—the hard way—that I had to take care of my own needs first and foremost, that I had to learn to actually like and respect myself, as a matter of survival, that I had to listen to my own voice first and foremost. All that was just too much to think about today. I suddenly felt exhausted. Lied on the couch, didn’t wake until late tonight. Hoped I’d wake up with a new outlook. Now I just can’t help but wonder: where’s that big bitch when I need her? I think I’ll be keeping her close by for next time I need her. Hopefully she can keep me awake.

Towering Over the City (part 4)

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Giraffes at Taronga Zoo

Giraffe at Taronga Zoo

Giraffes at Taronga Zoo

Giraffe Drawings

Giraffe at Taronga Zoo

Giraffe at Taronga Zoo

On that day last spring, which was actually early autumn in Australia, since I had very little time to do the rounds, I decided to concentrate on my chosen “must sees”. The giraffes featured high on the list (along with the felines of course), which was strange because I had been particularly curious about them until then, but on that day it seemed like they were an essential part of my visit. This is where I spent the most time during my short zoo visit and is also where I made the acquaintance of the lady who was sitting there drawing those wonderful creatures. She told me she was from a clinic being treated for depression and that she found that daily visits to the zoo, and specifically sitting near the giraffes and drawing them did her a lot of good. There was also a rather (very) good looking zoo attendant who came to check on the tall gentle beasts and as soon as he approached them, all the giraffes attempted to get their faces as close to him as possible, even licking him with their huge black tongues. One of the most surprising features of that enclosure, apart from the giraffes themselves, was the Sydney skyline in the background. On the last photo you can see the giraffe towering over the high-rise buildings, a visual effect which makes this beautiful animal seem even taller an more exotic than it already is.

To see part 1 click here
To see part 3 click here

All pics by Smiler

Big Cats Down Under (part 3)

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On the Prowl
Tiger at Taronga Zoo

Tiger at Taronga Zoo

Tiger at Taronga Zoo

My New Friend
Lioness at Taronga Zoo

Lioness at Taronga Zoo

Lioness at Taronga Zoo

Lioness at Taronga Zoo

Lioness at Taronga Zoo

Although there was a glass partition separating the visitors from the felines at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, it was quite a thrill to be so close to them. The lighting conditions were not ideal, but that hardly mattered — I took a bunch of photos anyway as I wanted to record the moment — I’d never been in such close proximity with lions and tigers before. As for the lioness, she was happily playing to the crowd while the males presided over the proceedings far in the background. I was quite astounded when she walked right up to me, pressing her face into the glass at one point, as we both stood face to face, less than two feet apart. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was almost flirting me, and in truth, I got the impression that maybe she sensed that I was a cat lover and I thought we might have a lot of fun playing together, provided she didn’t start by tearing my head off first. But of course, friends don’t do that to each other.

To see part 1 click here
To see part 2 click here
To see part 4 click here

Pics by Smiler. All rights reserved.

A Visit to Taronga Zoo (Part 2)

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Last time, in part 1, I showed you some views of Sydney from the ferry ride you take to get to Taronga zoo. After that, you get to the zoo proper via a cable-car ride up the hill. I got there late in the day and only had a short time to make the rounds. Still, I managed to take loads of pics. Today we have marsupials, what I’ve just been informed is a member of the mongoose family, a macaque and a couple of ostriches all doing their thing.

Kangooroo at Taronga Zoo

The marsupials, such as kangaroos and wallabies, are all kept together in a small gated park where they can roam relatively freely while visitors walk along a winding path. As evidenced by the this red kangaroo, it looked like it was nap time and there wasn’t much activity around, save for the ostrich which decided to take a walk by my side (didn’t manage to get a proper photo of that unfortunately).

Kangooroos at Taronga Zoo
Whenever I see these two wallabies, I imagine that the one standing is arguing with the little guy sitting down. Maybe they’re making plans for their next great escape? The lighting conditions were sometimes challenging to work with for the beginner that I was, so bear with me.

Lemur at Taranga Zoo
This is a mongoose

Lemur at Taranga Zoo
I thought it might be a lemur But turns out this particular type of mongoose is known as a suricate or meerkat (thank you Lee).

Macaque at Taronga Zoo
I spent lots of times looking at various monkeys. They do love to put on a show, even between themselves. It was like watching a play or a tv program. Since I didn’t have a zoom on my camera, this is one of the only shots I managed to get. Those macaques were a lively bunch.

Ostriches at Taronga Zoo
Ostriches — presumably looking down at the beautiful view of the harbour down below.


Next week: Big Cats Up Close.
To see part 1 click here

All pics by Smiler

A Visit to the Zoo (Part 1)

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Part 1: Getting There
In oder to get to Taronga Zoo, you need to take a ferry from the quays at Sydney Harbour. I love boats and was happily snapping away before we’d even left the docks, and was then rewarded with some stunning views of the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the city itself.

Ferry Ride to Taronga Zoo

Ferry Ride to Taronga Zoo

Ferry Ride to Taronga Zoo

Ferry Ride to Taronga Zoo

On the Ferry to Taronga Zoo

Ferry Ride to Taronga Zoo

Click here to view part 2.

All pics by Smiler

I Caught the Bug

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Lioness at Taronga Zoo

For some reason I don’t quite understand, I’ve decided today that it is imperative that I buy a new lens for my camera. Why today, why imperative, why a lens even, I’ve no idea. All I know is I’ve spent the past 2-3 hours studying the various types of lenses, then comparing products one by one. Since I have a Canon Rebel XTi, I’ve limited myself to Canon lenses at least.

The lens I now have on my camera is just okay, and it would be good to have a better quality lens because, as my ex-boyfriend D used to say “I’m not rich enough to buy cheap things” (but then again, who am I kidding — D was well off, and I’m not). I’m always swearing and pestering when I’m taking shots because I’d like to get closer to stuff that’s impossible to get close to, like lions and tigers at the zoo, or tiny details on buildings, up on the tenth floor, for instance. Speaking of animals at the zoo, that just reminded me where all this lens obsession started today — when I saw a gorgeous close-up shot of an elephant at the zoo. Of course! But then, I’d like to have both a good zoom lens (or is it telephoto-zoom I need?) and a macro lens for all the pretty little flowers and endlessly fascinating bugs and buttons and intricate little things and whatnot. Of course I can’t afford to get both lenses at once because do you know how much lenses cost? Well I do and the answer is: not cheap.

And then, stepping back from all this, it’s not like I’m doing that much photography these days and I need to save up my money so I can visit my parents. Although when I visit my parents I’ll want to be taking tons of photos — are you kidding? — France and Israel?? That’s like hitting the jackpot as far as photo ops. So what’s with the lens obsession? I don’t know, there are a few valid reasons as you see, but I might have caught a virus maybe. It only affects people who own reflex cameras for some reason. I think it’s called amaturophotolensilitis

Caption: I didn’t need a zoom lens that day. She really was that close to me.To get the full story and see more pics, see “A Visit to Taronga Zoo” coming up very soon!

Pic: Smiler
Location: Taronga Zoo,
Sydney, Australia