This will hurt me...

Looking south down Campbell Street, Hobart. April 2011. Too busy to type! I'm off to lecture people far more important than myself...

Dude looks like he's wearing a truss! Argyle Street, Hobart. February 2011. Stuff . Sometimes it seems to me that the world has been reduced to people wanting stuff , people getting stuff , people wanting more stuff , people getting more stuff , people getting rid of stuff , people complaining about stuff , people bragging about stuff , people needing stuff . Were people always like this? Was there always this much stuff ? Was there always such a focus on stuff ?

Clouds seen in the hospital windows. Argyle Street, Hobart. February 2011. Sometimes the best way of looking at something is by looking at something through something else. We often fool ourselves that when we observe something for ourselves, we can achieve some kind of objectivity. Of course, all observation is mediated through the observer. If we consciously choose to observe something through something, we immediately abandon that pretence, and factor in the potential refractive points. We won’t get objectivity, but at least we might get something more contemplative. What that has to do with clouds is anybody’s guess.

Hobart Private Hospital building, as seen from Collins Street. Hobart, January 2011. This is now the Hobart Private Hospital, which used to be the Queen Alexandria maternity wing, attached to the [ public ] Royal Hobart Hospital. One government sold it off in ’98, and a different government tried to buy it back in ’05 when they suddenly realised that they needed the space. Not the best example of sound public policy… Here is a little questionnaire that I like to call Getting to know you, getting to know all about you… Do you have any pets? I have two children. What was the last book you read? See the sidebar to the left. Do you like to cook? Yes I do. What kind of food do you like? I like savoury, spicy and sour things. Do you have brothers and sisters? One brother. Which sport do you like? Wii Sports Resort. Do you live alone? No, I do not. Do you live in a house or an apartment? A house. Have you ever lived in another country? No, I have not. Have you ever met a famous person? It dep...

There be many a window there. Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart. December 2010. The windows are the eyes of the sole. I think. Do you know who would make a beautiful woman? Boutros Boutros-Ghali. I believe that the name 'Darren' is cursed. Mister Mister. No good. The year is nearly over. Probably for the best.

Hobart: On The Go ! The view from the eastern end of Liverpool Street. December 2010. We might not quite be rivalling Shanghai when it comes to cranes, but whenever you see three cranes on the go in Hobart, you know that something is going on. This one is part of a development that will comprise a supermarket, shops, an additional 544 parking spaces for the Argyle Street car park (just what Hobart CBD needs, more cars ) and new “A-grade” office space. Whether or not there will also be a slippery dip, wholesale ball bearing emporium, underwater aquarium, Turkish baths, Finnish sauna and Liechtenstienian superstore, I am unsure.

The art of subtly is not dead! Campbell Street, Hobart. November 2010. A couple of books to tackle this week, one a sombre reflection on Poland’s troubled history through the twentieth century; the second a riotous romp through the Edwardian era that touches on every perversion known to man! The former is Mercedes-Benz , by Pawel Huelle. Huelle is one of the most eminent modern Polish writers. Mercedes-Benz has an unrelenting narrative that drives (literally) through the defining moments of modern Polish history. Truthfully, you have never read sentences this long, but the style does complement the tale. Constructed in the format of a descriptive letter to Czech writer Bohumil Hrabal, the book fuses the challenge of driving lessons in the early-1990's Gdańsk, with the broader story of Pawel's father, grandfather and the fate of Poland fused into one. It really is a wonderful fusion of autobiography, history and fictional creation. It is well worth a look. The second book is Th...

Late afternoon and vampires start circling Royal Hobart Hospital. August 2010. Today already feels like a living version of the first joint-authored treatise of Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx. A Critique of Critical Criticism . Indeed, supplementing the first draft of my critique of critical criticism will be much sweary-language and quiet groaning. I’m in pain.

A romantic evening outside the Royal Hobart Hospital. August 2010. Henry was born here 1,393 days ago. Ezra was born here 758 days ago. I've consulted my Last FM profile page , and formulated today's Sunday Top Five: My Top Five Recording Artists Played On My PC Since 2005! 5. The Mountain Goats 4. The Smiths 3. The Byrds 2. Marah 1. Wilco