inspiration

Confront reality, look it squarely in the face, and with guts, wisdom and strength, challenge everything that lies ahead of you.

Courage is free, anyone can have it.

Pyrmont Bridge-Darling Harbour during late night walk


Monorail in action, Sydney CBD in the background.




Darling Harbour - from Pyrmont

Full moon view from Paddy's Market Mono rail

View of the city on the way back from work.

Sony *Candy* @ Sony. Experience More Exhibition

The new Sony OLED tv screens! Thin as paper!

The awesome foursome

Tarek did some work on a photo I took back in May in the Wildlife Park. When we saw these birds it reminded us of ourselves and Tarek added some comments! Click on the photo.

Live Earth -A climate in crisis

Live Earth Sydney - I am glad it was a sunny day, because lately it seems we have been experiencing plenty of crisis (climate) weather here and these terrential rains are no fun without umbrella! I had my fleece and hoody with me!

Aussie Stadium packed with 45.000 + environment aware music fans. I missed the opening ceremony and Toni Collette because no one seemed to have a list in which order the musicians would play, but I got to see & hear Sneaky Sound System (very groovy!), Paul Kelly Eskimo Joe (good memories, great band) Missy Higgins (always a pleasure) John Butler Trio (first time live- they were amazing) Then some Aussie rock in the shape of Wolfmother - a bit too loud for me, but when I got back it was the complete opposite.. Jack Johnson is nice when it is a studio album.... but not when it is a huge stadium. But luckily Crowded House are back and were the final act on Sydneys Live Earth. It was amazing hearing them LIVE. I felt like I was thrown back 10-15 years when my brother used to listen to them. I could singalong to nearly every old tune, and if I didnt the other 45K fans would be singing along. Half way through their set the lights went out, but they continued playing. The crowd loved welcoming back this awesome band and it was a special night for everyone in Aussie Stadium, fans and musicians!

Neil & Co are back.....! Not dreaming- its not over!

The Sydney Writers festival held several hundred events the past 7 days throughout Sydney and New South Wales. I only attended the closing address of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, but wish I had maybe attended others. She quoted one of her colleagues in her opening about the power of books. And continued about the book which plays such a huge part in her life. The Quran. I have read her autobiography Infidel the past few weeks and was captivated by her openness in sharing her troubled youth and escape to the West. I had 'heard' of her when she became a politician back in the Netherlands, but only really after Theo van Gogh's horrible murder who Ayaan collaborated with for the Submission movie. It felt like a thriomph to hear her address, with so many people attending and before she had spoken a word welcoming her with a huge applause. To fear for your life fighting a cause that helps others is an incredible price, but one she seems determined to continue to make.

There was quite a lot of security, something the Australians aren't used to either I think. Not even the security staff, as they seemed to enjoy the radio / ear pieces they had and joked around. It almost made me angry they didnt take their job serious. No waterbottles or pens allowed in the room where Ayaan signed her books, and a couple of really big body guards watching our every move. But we got to speak to her - in DUTCH - which was really nice. She asked if we were living here, and wondered if I was going back to Holland or stay in Australia. I said I hoped she would enjoy her stay here, despite the stir her visit was making.

Sleepless in Sydney

OK I think I had too much Coca Cola.... I cant seem to sleep??

So why not a little update of what occupies Australian media or my life at the moment;

The hype surrounding the Big Donor Show in The Netherlands also hit Australia news reports. Its interesting how everyone had an opinion, and was discussing it. This morning as I found out it was all a hoax with the aim to make people aware of the lack of donors, I couldnt resist a smile. Mission accomplished; 18000 people apparently downloaded donor forms overnight.

Former Dutch politician, immigrant from Somalia, AKA film maker, named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world Miss Ayaan Hirsi Ali is in Sydney, obviously under heavy security attending the Sydney Writers Festival. My flatmate gave me her recent auto biography as a present and we are planning to attend her closing address on Sunday night. I found it interesting to read about how her past and the tragedies and occurrences in her life that have made her the person she is today and it saddens me so much hurt and loss has come along with it. I am intrigued by her strength, maybe not in a politically relating way, but in a humanitarian way. I think she is certainly a remarkable, influential person.... I was touched by her book.

I wonder if we are allowed to bring our cameras in??

I am trying to get a new flatmate, as Lin is leaving some time mid june. For some reason I get a lot of male responses, even though I mention I prefer a female flatmate. Its an annoying task and I have to plan my evenings around it at the moment.

OK, of lesser importance... I got a haircut today... Actually not just a haircut... I got my 1st EVER highlights, a cut and my hair straightened, and I have a little bit of a fringe now! My friend Amanda who also got her hair done hardly recognized me.... It looks so different!

Pirates 3 - not bad even though the story was hard to follow. I was surprised by how how prominent Keira Knightleys role was. Great special effects, and as always Keith Richards looking his scary self.

And for you wondering what the Aussies like to watch;

The Australian box office highest grossing movies;
1. Titanic (1997) $58 million
2. Shrek 2 (2004) $50m
3. The Return of the King (2003) $49m
4. Crocodile Dundee (1986) $48m
5. Fellowship of the Ring (2001) $47m
6. The Two Towers (2002) $46m
7. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) $42m

Or music the Aussies listen to, this one is pretty scary;
The top selling albums of the past ten years;
1 Come On Over (Shania Twain) Oh Canada, oh no.
2 Jagged Little Pill (Alanis Morissette) Oh Canada, oh yeah!
3 Innocent Eyes (Delta Goodrem) Another Aussie Soapie turned singer.
4 Savage Garden (Savage Garden)
5 Falling Into You (Celine Dion) Oh NO NO NO,
6 Abba Gold (Abba) Thanks to Muriels Wedding maybe??
7 Immaculate Collection (Madonna)
8 Recurring Dream (Crowded House) Love CH...!
9 Come Away With Me (Norah Jones) If Norah made it why didn't Sarah M?
10 Forgiven Not Forgotten (The Corrs) That must be because there are so many Irish here!
11 Yourself or Someone Like You (Matchbox 20) Match who?
12 Forrest Gump (Soundtrack)
13 The Very Best of (The Eagles)
14 1 (The Beatles)
15 Affirmation (Savage Garden) They are Aussie.
16 The Eminem Show (Eminem) I think I should have stopped at 15.

And some May photos

Me & Nicole enjoying the Sun at Telstra stadium during the Rabittohs match.

The birthday gang L-->R

Dave, Nicole (behind Lindseys elbow) Nat, Tex, Me, Claire, Amanda, Kirsten.

Some of my wonderful pressies!

Had a little get away break to Aussie Nat family's place near Gosford. Very relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

Dave Matthews Band @ the HORDERN pavillion - WOW

The hosts of Sunrise with Missy in between them

In Sydneys WildLife Park

Oh what a cutie!

Dutch Decorations for QUEENSDAY April 30th!


A beautiful sunrise this week over Sydney

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Auckland Warriors

Being Dutch I am not all that familiar with rugby, although having shared houses with Australians, Irish, worked with English & South Africans, I have gained some familiarity with this rough sport. I can even admit I like it. Not sure why, maybe because I think the sport could be an example of how to progress walking even when you have people holding both your legs and try to neck wrestle you to the pitch. Compared to our fragile soccerplayers who fall over in the penalty area when you look at them... this is.... more uhm...manly I think! My Dutch flatmate was interested too and suggested a Sunday match between South Sydney Rabbitohs & NZ Auckland Warriors at the Telstra Stadium.

Telstra Stadium

A great opportunity to be inside one of the Olympic Stadiums and it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day too. Three more friends joined and in the end the Dutch were strongly represented, and UK Dave seemed to be the most verbal Sydney supporter out there. Russel Crowe was also shown on mega screen supporting his Rabbitohs team to a win,.... well untill the last 3 minutes. Us Sydneysiders lost 16-18 in the final minutes with 2 tries against us.

Whose ball is it anyway?

After the game we had a walk around the Olympic Park, and then hopped on the train back to the city.

Royal Easter Show & Blue Mountains

Royal Easter Show @ Sydney Olympic Grounds.

On Easter Sunday after an Easter breakfast Amanda and I went to the Royal Easter Fare - it couldnt me more non religious Easter atmosphere, we were surrounded by horses, ponies, cows, goats, sheep, dogs, and various activities like dog obedience, horse high jump, dressage, a rodeo and various crafts exhibiotioned. There were contests and awards, and you could view the animals up close. Like going to a really big farm. I reall enjoyed the rodeo, the first time I saw something like that. It was quite busy, but we had a real good time.

The cow contest

Kermit passed out

Me in front of Olympic Stadium @Homebush


Jump! Over the Habour Bridge, an attribute used during the Sydney Olympics

Doesnt the Olympic Park look beautiful!!?? The swing reminds me of Dave Matthews Band CD Under the Table & Dreaming...

DMB CD Cover

Merry go round at Easter show

BLUE MOUNTAINS

On Monday we drove up to the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. The weather stayed dry, we walked around, enjoyed the views of forest, valleys and blue-ish mountains. A nice getaway from the city and unfortunately we weren't the only ones having a break as it took us 3 hours to get back due to one long traffic jam.

Tourists loooking to the Three Sisters formation

Checking out the neighbourhood

Me near the 3 Sisters.

Viewing blue mountains

One Love

Had a little session of One Love this evening. Mr Ziggy Marley was performing at the Great Escape Festival where I went with a Dutch friend Lindsey, ...... and wow... was I happy I got to see him. The music & lyrics were beautiful and inspiring. To see Ziggy jamming his own tunes and 2 of his dads (Jamming & Is This Love) was simply amazing.

Love is My Religion

*Love is My Religion*


Top that up with Missy Higgins performance and you have a stellar night. She had a perfect mix between her new album and the previous one and it all sounded more than good! She enjoyed being back on stage with new material, and letting the crowd singing along to the more familiar songs.

The Coat Hanger turns 75

The Sydney Harbour Bridge, a 75 year old Sydney icon celebrated its birthday with a day off from cars, motors and buses, and instead the Sydney siders took over by feet and walked over it. A great opportunity for special photos, and being a 'part of history' of the bridge that is nicknamed the Coat Hanger - or in Dutch KLEREHANGER (just a funny Dutch expression!) Sound recordings of the last 75 years were played amidst a light and aboriginal smoke ceremony.


The Light Show from Circular Quay!



The lights give ~real~ special effects! Everyone survived!

THE BRIDGE


The Banners on the bridge

A photo from NYE when the BRIDGE showed the Coathanger in the middle

Like a fish in the ....

Today there was an Open Day at the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Center in Ultimo, near where I live. It was supposed to have opened a few months ago, but they are a little behind schedule... Lost of locals showed up, and even though we had to wait in the rain ( not everyone brought an umbrella) people stayed and enjoyed the 15min tour we got. It looks like a great venue, for social and competitive swimming, and a great view of the city skyline from the terrace.


The wave over the 50M lanes.

The view, including the monorail and rainclouds ;-)





Also went to Paddy's market, which is where I get the fruit/veggies and meat every weekend. Its usually mad busy, many people bringing their carry trolleys, boxes, and pushing you away. Its luckily very close and usually everything is in stock. I always stroll passed the fish stalls. I certainly dont want to buy any, but find it intriuging to watch. Especially because they seem to have some types of fish that are un-common in Europe. Which reminds me to fill up the rest of my underwater camera so I can get the film developped from when I went snorkelling!