Bill Bryson
Tremendous talk by the talented Mr Bill Bryson at Llewyn Hall in February. Extra special having Adam Spencer and his dicky eye hosting the talk. While it was a loosely veiled plug for his re-released book, the memoires were entertaining and the scientific banter engaging. Did you know it would take over 11 million years for a car (assuming it travelled at the speed limit and didn’t take the scenic route) to travel one light year? Or maybe that’s just my car. Regardless, it’s a bloody long time. Astronomers rex they’ve discovered an earth-sized planet only 40 light years away that sits in a zone where water and even life could exist. So what are we waiting for, let’s go!!
Supermarket Trolleys
I live in post code 2620. I’m certain it is home to THE MOST stolen, discarded supermarket trollies in the whole of Oz. Fact. The most curious one I found across the road was from Bunnings. The nearest Bunnings is 7 kilometres away. That takes some effort. While I appreciate the vaguely artistic value of these placements, there is a bigger question: why aren’t our cities providing decent public transport infrastructure so people can make dignified trips to and from the supermarket? Or Bunnings. Sure, some of the trolley-thieves are pissed-up Jackasses taking a joy-ride – or amped-up junkies collecting cans but some are folk on low-incomes that don’t have a car and need to get their shopping – and their kids – home. Yup. Instead of being judgy-judgy, perhaps we should look at how we, as a community can reduce steel-wheel art installations by offering someone a lift home with their shopping. I did. She lived over 2 kilometres away, was grateful for the ride and one more trolley made it back-to-base that night.
Birkenstocks
Once upon a time, there was a humble German cobbler who established a very sensible-shoe making business. A few generations later, a German-American woman brought a pair of these sensible-shoes to the US. Fast forward 50 years and the sensible shoes, once confined to the likes of unabashed hippies and lesbians, are now celebrated on catwalks, worn proudly to beach, cafes and mother’s groups. With or without socks. Despite feeling like you’re walking on damp concrete, the sandal with its thick leather straps and orthopaedic soles, softened by years of sweat, tinea and toe-jam is now a Fashion Statement. Behold, the Birkenstock. Quite possibly, the ugliest piece of footwear in the world.
And I now own a pair.
They are beige. I’m not proud. They’re a compromise between a Havaiana and a Croc. I hate the fact they take 4 seconds to get on, you have to shuffle your feet under the straps – it takes ages. I’m also worried about the darkening leather sole … it feels like the unwashed armpit of a leather jacket.
