Archive
Occupy Brisbane, Part 3. In honour of the Queen’s visit.
Possibly in honour of the crowds drawn into the city today, on occasion of Her Majesty’s visit, Brisbane’s Occupiers found some friends and pitched a few more tents. They probably, very nearly reached the overly generous estimate of 40 tents, which I published yesterday. They also kindly put out some new signs for me to photograph today and most generously did not display the offensive anti-American anti-Jewish sign of last week. So, everyone’s happy. More or less.
Great juxtaposition.
The Occupiers' camp-craft could do with some up-skilling. They wouldn't survive in the wild.
Art lessons for those who hate cats.
Why are animals going extinct? (Why is literacy dead?)
Nice, for cannibals.
Now I get it. The signs were written by science students. (Where are the arts students? CHOGM?)
Occupy Brisbane, or not…. Part 2
This is Part 2 of the riveting story around Occupy Brisbane. If you’re missing the plot, you’re not the only one.
Imagine, peak hour Brisbane City, in Post Office Square...
People are on their way to work and the Courier Mail warns us that "Jobs are on the line"
Our Occupiers have put out some signs saying “What does our society value?” and “This is what I fought for”. To be honest, putting a sign on a statue of a serviceman is disrespectful. Servicemen and women fight for something, namely their country (the whole 100%). Five people and forty borrowed tents doesn’t quite equate, no matter what your perspective.
Finally, an explanation of the 99% and 1%. Poor Occupier was sticky-taped inside his tent all day (poster being on his door and all. What commitment.)
Why not bring Einstein into it? Makes it seem ...clever?
Occupiers looking occupied, but clearly not here...
Sign says, "Love is the Answer. What was your Question?" Well, after a whole week, I'm still wondering what your point is.
To be fair, they eventually found 2 people one morning, late in the week.
Newspaper columnists, keen to seem edgy, have put all sorts of intelligent arguments forward for this group. But, investigative journalists (as opposed to creative writers, such as myself), might’ve come down, taken a look at the empty tents and nonsensical signs and made a rational assessment for themselves. Anyone who’s a camper from Queensland, knows that you’re not going to be sitting inside a zipped-up tent at almost nine, on a humid October morning. The pram parked outside of one of the tents was theatrical but again, an unlikely prop. Anyone who’s been camping with a baby or toddler knows that said baby or toddler is up before sparrows and will not under any circumstance, stay silently inside a zipped-up tent.
Taking people for fools is impolite. Professional protestors should know better.
Occupy Brisbane, or not…. Part 1
People would be familiar with the Occupy movement which started on Wall St and spread via social networking to a city near you. Including, to my fair city, Brisbane, Australia.
It just so happens, that I walk past this spot on my way to work most mornings, so I took a few pictures to show you what it really looks like, on an average day (without the promise of a news crew and time to assemble a rent-a-crowd.) Those who believe in genuine demonstrations or who have weak tickers, look away now.
View from the Adelaide St footbridge
With so much traffic in the general vicinity, anyone with a bit of chutzpah would be able to do something with a good cause….
So, what's the cause, again? And why is there no-one around to give information at peak rush-hour?
To be fair, read the helpful sign. This cause is about the 99% of us who are apparently represented by this group, except that all of us are on our way to work, except them.
Wow. That's lots of people. (Not).
Must try: aja coffeehouse, Elizabeth Arcade, Brisbane
Looking for a new place to eat in Brisbane City?
aja coffeehouse, Charlotte St, Brisbane
Opened 8 weeks ago, aja coffeehouse offers a fresh and well-priced menu of Asian-fusion dishes, Aussie burgers and continental breakfasts or simply a place for coffee and a dessert.
Service is quick and professional and the premises are spotless. You could go there for a work-lunch (as I have done, several times), girls’ catch-up, brekky or casual date and feel welcome.
Stylish, spotless and relaxed. What's not to love?
I’ve taken some of my fussiest friends there, and aja hasn’t missed a beat. The salt ‘n pepper calamari is unbelievably good and the presentation, lovely. Take my advice: Say YES to the fries (crispy, salty, sweet and spicy!). Your low-carb day can wait.
Salt 'n pepper calamari to die for
aja is located at the Charlotte St entrance to Elizabeth Arcade and is open Monday to Thursday 7am-6pm, Friday 7am-9pm and Saturday 9am-9pm (closed Sunday). Catering is available with 48 hours notice ph. (07) 3161 2691.
Opening a business in this economy is gutsy. Aja is a young, family outfit and they’re really very good. Give them some love, Brisbane.
The Other Column 
The Queen, Super hornets and B105’s Stav.
It’s been another great week for Brisbane. There have been several good reasons to skive off work ….
The streets near the Brisbane River, full of people waiting for THE PLANES.
Twenty Super hornets ...
First, we took delivery of another four Super hornets. Half the city came out to the river, looking in precisely the wrong direction (down the Brisbane River, ‘cos that’s what happened for River Fire, all right?!) when the cluster of twenty Super hornets whizzed over the city, from behind us. It was a moment of WOW, quickly followed by WAS THAT IT? And, ARE THEY COMING BACK? Sadly, a few thousand people had to go back to work sooner than they had hoped.
Then, a certain classy lady came to town on Monday 24 October 2011.
Photo by Anthony Cox, used with permission. Copyright Anthony Cox, 2011.
Sure, she only spent 4 hours in the state that bears her name, but she made the most of the time. We’re still twittering about it. Kids have embedded the day in their memories of childhood (and somewhat embellished it – thanks S for tricking us all into believing that you shook her hand!)
Today, feeling almost sad that there was nothing big going down in the town, my luck turned. Local FM radio personality, Stav, from B105, came to my local cafe as the coffee-making apprentice. Being in the right place, at the right time, I scored my favourite gluten-free coconut biscuit and lactose-free flat white for free! Sure, we had to shout FASTER STAV! but he managed in the end, and that’s what matters.
Who could resist?
Stav from B105, probably wishing that he was back behind the microphone.