All right settle down you lot up the back. Yes, I have blogged about this building before. For my money, it is the best example of the triumph of function over aesthetic that seemed quite common in the 1960s (tie-dyed jeans, anyone?)
Yes, it's the infamous Tasmanian State Offices Building again! Like Henry to a flame, I am constantly drawn back to this quite unimpressive building. In many ways, I think that it may have something to do with my exposure to the souls that can be found in such characterless buildings.
As you have probably noticed, I have been experimenting of late with a bit of black and white. I especially like it when it comes to this sort of functionalist monstrosity. When I look it this photo, it makes me think of the late-sixties, early-seventies. Of course, I wasn’t alive then, but the period to me doesn’t evoke flowers in hair, free love or going to San Francisco. No, I’m thinking more economic down-turn, energy crisis and an emerging angry disenchantment with the ills of the world.
Of course, Harold Macmillan was right when he said “you’ve never had it so good”, but part of the problem of never having it so good is that you then get an increase in expectations and suddenly “so good” becomes “not good enough”.
But don't get me wrong, unlike most people I know, I don't expect anything extraordinary from the bureaucrats that manage the affairs of the state. That said, the incessant bloody mediocrity does wear you down. All I want is competence, civility and some degree of professionalism. As is, the interactions that I have suffered this week always seem to be with people as useful as an echidna in a condom factory. But this is too depressing a topic and I am very much over work today (and it’s not even lunch time).
So I thought that I'd liven it up and ask anyone that ends up in this neck of the woods a few easy questions, to find out a little more about y'all. Feel free to be as descriptive or concise as you like:
Yes, it's the infamous Tasmanian State Offices Building again! Like Henry to a flame, I am constantly drawn back to this quite unimpressive building. In many ways, I think that it may have something to do with my exposure to the souls that can be found in such characterless buildings.
As you have probably noticed, I have been experimenting of late with a bit of black and white. I especially like it when it comes to this sort of functionalist monstrosity. When I look it this photo, it makes me think of the late-sixties, early-seventies. Of course, I wasn’t alive then, but the period to me doesn’t evoke flowers in hair, free love or going to San Francisco. No, I’m thinking more economic down-turn, energy crisis and an emerging angry disenchantment with the ills of the world.
Of course, Harold Macmillan was right when he said “you’ve never had it so good”, but part of the problem of never having it so good is that you then get an increase in expectations and suddenly “so good” becomes “not good enough”.
But don't get me wrong, unlike most people I know, I don't expect anything extraordinary from the bureaucrats that manage the affairs of the state. That said, the incessant bloody mediocrity does wear you down. All I want is competence, civility and some degree of professionalism. As is, the interactions that I have suffered this week always seem to be with people as useful as an echidna in a condom factory. But this is too depressing a topic and I am very much over work today (and it’s not even lunch time).
So I thought that I'd liven it up and ask anyone that ends up in this neck of the woods a few easy questions, to find out a little more about y'all. Feel free to be as descriptive or concise as you like:
- Where do you call home?
- Do you like it?
- What keeps you there?
- Lions or tigers?
Comments
Tasmania.
Yes, I do.
A combination of fear of the unknown and duty.
Tigers, of course.
Yes, a good city to live in.
I like the city plus my wife likes it, too and our house is almost paid for.
I prefer small felines of the tabby variety :)
"Louis" agrees with your observation about the soulless buildings and soulless occupants - "Louis" could go on quite a rant about Le Corbusier and big government.....
Yup - it's green, it's by the ocean, it's by LA, & can't beat the weather
My job, my husband's job, my mom, & now my 13-yr-old son would not move for anything (or so he thinks)
Pussy-cats for me too.
On your artless building - that's one great photo of it!!! I actually like buildings like that (well maybe with a bit more imaginative detail) - must be since I grew up in a 10 story bldg in Tuzla, Bosnia; when I moved to LA in 1970, I thought it was so backward because people lived in small houses & not in modern, high-rises. I guess it's just a matter of what one is used to.
Where do you call home? Sydney
Do you like it? Sometimes. Its beautiful (anywhere there's water) but getting too fast for me and its expensive.
What keeps you there? Family, need to work for a few more years yet.
Lions or tigers? Snow Leopard.
1: Launceston
2: Mostly (could be worse - could be Mathinna)
3: Work, it's conveniently equidistant to most of the good bits of Tasmania, comfort, & a girl I will soon be calling "wifey"
4: Tigers
1. Molfetta, Italy
2. Yes and no. Some days more yes, others more no.
3. Family, work, inertia...
4. Tigers all the way! (They are so beautiful)
I live in Melbourne.
Yes..I rather love it here.
I stay here for many reasons...first coz I do love it, my boys love it and my Dad is here.
This question will be answered as a Melburnian (heart of AFL)...I like the Lions coz Zac barracks for them!!
Yes, but my current bit of it is too far from the coast to be ideal.
My job and inertia. Also keeps me reasonably close to my aging mother. There really are so many places I could imagine living, but I'm running out of lifetime to try all of them. Being alone opens up my options.
Tigers. More forest, less savannah.
2 yes and no
3 everything and nothing
4 who cares?
Today I think I feel as tired as that 60s building.
Tomorrow is another day.
Sydney, Australia
Physical beauty and history (even though only 200 years)
Family (ageing father, and grandkids please God)
Lions are conservatives; tigers are socialists. Tiger all the way.
60s and 70s: It was a fascinating time here in Australia. The light went on: we became confident of our own culture. And then Gough came along and we went from B&W to colour. Late last year we changed our PM right. He did some things immediately that made everyone (?) proud. But essentially our society has not changed. He is a conservative chap - although decent and honorable with astounding personal ethics. Gough changed our society. That is why whole swathes loathe him. To me, he is up there ...
Yes, I love the place.
Strong family ties.
Tigers,quick thinking and they act fast!!!!
visit Malta Magic at www.marie6-myworld.blogspot.com
home:buenos aires, argentina
most of the time,but i dont believe in paradises
my friends, my personal history
cats, all kind
I like B&W for photos such as this.
Ontario, Canada
Yes
Diversity, tolerance (for the most part), universal health care, friends, my husband, my gardens...the list could be much longer. I have not always lived here so I KNOW in comparison it's a very good place to live.
Lions or tigers? Hmmmm. Tigers
Loved your line about "like Henry to a flame. . ."
I'm liking your black and white shots. I came to answer the question you left me regarding the loss of the Sonics. People are steamed at the new owners first for trying to hoodwink taxpayers into shouldering the cost of a new stadium to increase the owners' profit margin, and second for being disingenuous about their original plan of moving the team. After the court case was over most people just washed their hands of them and said good riddance to such greedhead scumbags, but, wish the players well. We do have an outstanding women's pro b-ball team, The Storm, and their ticket sales are off the charts for the season. They are a genuine phenom in these parts.
-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo
Seattle
A thousand times yes!
This city's culture, natural beauty, and a feeling of really being home.
Tigers, excepting those of the Tamil persuasion. (Would Henry reply "Ligers"?)
-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo
It's not bad. I like it because I want to like where I live, it's so much easier.
Love, and a job.
Tigers.
New York. Brooklyn, to be exact.
Love it.
Thinking that no place else is nearly as good. I'm probably wrong.
I dunno. I like both.
I live in Gothenburg
Yes, I like it very much, and my appartment is lovely!
I live here because I think friends and family are important and I have many of them here!
Lions...
To some of the more specific points:
Tash, I like the idea of someone moving from Yugoslavia in 1970 feeling LA ‘backward’. That would have endeared you to the locals! :)
Me, they are thinking about it, but you know Tasmania. Someone will chain themselves to it, sue and the whole thing will either cost ten times as much to do or never happen!
Julie, it’s nice to hear your reflections. Gough was like a god in my household growing up, but if I’m honest, I find him a bit of a bore. Too keen on himself, but maybe that’s easier to feel that way after the change has happened! That said, I am a Bob Hawke fan, and believe him to be criminally underrated as a PM during a pretty difficult global transition period. One thing that we no doubt agree on is that we should be glad to see the back of the last bloke. Far too late IMHO.
Elisa, I must admit that I don’t think “bad people”, but I do think “thoughtless people” or “people lacking in imagination”. Great to see a visitor from Argentina, it is a popular country in this house!
Kim, no come on, I’ve seen John B. Sebastian at Woodstock. He’s clearly got the tie-dyed jeans on (and tie-dyed bandana, top, hankie etc).
Good to hear that people didn’t cave in to the greedy owners. Also great to hear that the Storm are supported. I know that Lauren Jackson is the star player, and I’m a big fan of hers (of course!)
Boise Diva, it is stellar quote (and I like a quote). I don’t think that there is too much wrong with shedding a tear on TV, as long as it’s genuine!