Chris Sheil reckons I’m having a “post-50 funk/sulk-out “. He might be right, although there’s stuff going on in my life at present that’s a bit more significant than that (at least from my subjective viewpoint) and arguably not related per se to being 50. However they’re events that I’m not prepared to blog about.
Chris’s label does have a certain element of truth, however, at least to the extent that I’m utterly uninspired by all the current vogue blog topics (Plame/Wilson/Rove; the interim Kay report on Iraq’s WOMD capabilities, Howard’s reshuffle etc).
The only thing I’m marginally inspired by at the moment is my forthcoming trip to Sydney for my dad’s 80th birthday. I see that Scott Wickstein and Michael Jennings are planning some sort of blogbash for 8 November, when I will actually still be “down south”. Trouble is, that’s the period when I’d planned to invest in a wave ski and get away up the coast for 5 or 6 days surfing and general R & R. I get to Sydney on 30 October and my dad’s birthday bash will take up Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd November. I need to leave for “up the coast” by around 6 November at latest in order to get back in time to fly out on Thursday 13th. Leaving as late as 9 November (which I’d have to do to participate in Scott and Michael’s bash) would make the trip away too rushed to be useful or relaxing. I’m keen to catch up with Sydney-based bloggers and readers while I’m down there, but these other commitments mean it would need to be on Thursday 30 or Friday 31 October, Saturday 1 November or Tuesday or Wednesday 4 or 5 November. Depending on how many interested participants there might be, I guess a single “blogbash” at some suitable venue might be the way to go, even though it will duplicate the one Scott and Michael are planning only a few days later. Constructive suggestions are invited.
What about Friday night at the Basement? Pretty central, one of Sydney’s few nice bars … suitable for grown-ups, a modest cover charge to keep the riff raff out, reasonable food, and probably good music too.
I hope all the stuff that’s going on works out alright, Ken.
Paying a quick visit to The Basement website, I see that the entertainment scheduled for that night is a Pink Floyd tribute show, which has distinctly chunderous potential, methinks. Is there an area slightly away from the music if we get overwhelmed by recreated 70s-80s concept album music?
I also don’t really want to keep out the “riff-raff”. I’d probably end up getting barred myself. Most of the shows at The Basement seem to have a cover charge of around $15, which I agree is modest but might be a stretch for students like James Russell (if his budget extends to attending both bashes). Maybe a freebie venue would be a better bet: more money left over for alcoholic excess.
Yeah Ken … there are good spaces away from the music … but it’s not usually very loud there … they start late and have good breaks … and Pink Floyd could be fun … alternatively, we could do Saturday night there, or any other night you might prefer … good venue?
Saturday the 1st will be no good for me. There’s a wedding on that weekend I kind of have to attend, however much I’d actually rather not. Would much prefer to be at a blogger bash that night (would much prefer to be doing anything else for that matter) but I don’t think I can get out of it. Friday night’s not on for me either.
Sorry Ken. I missed your second comment. If you’re looking for somewhere down and dirty, I’ll leave it for others to suggest … not my scene these decades … [reaches for walking stick] … over to you young things.
I’m not looking for somewhere “down and dirty”, just thinking that maybe some bloggers and commenters might not be flush enough with funds to cope happily with a $15 cover charge on top of food and alcohol, especially when some will be backing up for Scott and Michael’s bash a few days later. Surely there are some free venues in Sydney that aren’t bloodhouses. I know there used to be some very salubrious pubs around Balmain, Glebe etc.
Maybe we could look at a “TA bloggers only” thingie at The Basement on the Friday or Saturday, with a general invitation bash on the Tuesday or Wednesday evening a a pleasant pub somewhere around the inner suburbs
If you stay away from Friday and Saturday nights, I think it’s free at the Basement, unless they have a special act on.
As for pubs, the only time I go anywhere near one is to catch a rugby test that’s exclusive to Fox … but I’m sure someone else would know.
I will be in Sydney from the 31st, so I can actually come if you do it on the 31st, 1st, 4th or 5th. Obviously I would be a little jetlagged on the 31st.
A shame; however, November 8 is the only day I can get away.
One day, mate.
i’m not much of a barfly anymore (if ever) so can’t help much with venues. Bar Broadway often has good blues bands. not sure if they’re free, and not sure what gigs are coming up, but it’s pretty central and might work for your general blogger bash. the basement would be ok too. anyway let me know once you’ve settled dates/venues and i’ll be happy to come along and say g’day gnashes teeth at concept of going for non-alcoholic ‘drinks’
Post November 5 would have been ideal, as from that date I’m a free man. I guess either October 30 or 31 would be the best for me, providing the assignment inbox isn’t like Jack’s beanstalk.
Somewhere that can be reached by public transport would be handy, other than that I’m not that fussed providing it isn’t too expensive. Something laid back would be nice, Bar Broadway, the Metro Bar, Basement, somewhere with a beer garden which isn’t populated with yobs. I’m open to suggestions.
somewhere with a beer garden which isn’t populated with yobs
You mean such places exist?
Bar Broadway is not a bad suggestion, but any time I’ve been in it, it’s been too loud for easy conversation.
My current plan is to adopt Chris Sheil’s suggestion of The Basement (at Circular Quay), but hold the bash on Wednesday evening 5 November starting at about 7pm. I understand that there’s no cover charge on weekday evenings, but maybe someone might be able to verify that. The Basement is quite civilised (as I remember it), close to all public transport, you can get food etc, so it seems like a good choice. I don’t recall it having a beergarden though. Does anyone have any major problems with that proposal?
dont go to the basement!!!
its really a terrible venue, for anything, and even more so for catching up with bloggers…
the last (and hopefully LAST) time i was there, i got shushed by some pretentious git when i quietly asked my date what they wanted to drink…
the guy was a total moron and pretended he needed to hear vince jones whinge about the environment…
anyhoo, in summary its a crap place in general and absolutely impossible to have a conversation there because it will either be really loud, or quiet and you wont be able to talk…
how about a real pub like the upstairs of the erko rose…?