The evening was pent with a trip to the Cinema (Sorry Claire, it was either that or upset people by getting drunk) to see Kick Ass. I didn't really fancy it but had heard nothing but good things and well, I wasn't exactly spoilt for choice. Very glad i did see it as it was one of the best films i'd seen in a long time; tremendous script, self aware, no bullshit, suitable violence and had a vibe like back in the eighties before everything became PG in fear of the Christian right. It does seem that Marc Croft has taken over from Sean Beans role as 'go to British actor when you need a villain' with him in this, Sherlock Holmes and Robin Hood in quick succession. He'll always be Tosker to me from 'our Friends In The North though, that's another series I really need to see again. Also somebody needs to have a serious word with Nic Cage, what the fuck is going on with his fucked up wig/hair/ botox forehead combination, the man looks horrific. Anyhow yes, go see Kick-Ass.
From there I visited the National Gallery of Victoria and rather enjoyed it as standard. The place had quite the collections; the first floor was mainly paintings, coffins, and sculptures from the Egyptians and Aztec's. It's quite astounding how well they've been preserved but even more so that you're standing in front of something that was painted literally thousands of years ago, in another continent too. One small piece on the floor did massively freak me out, it was a video projection of a woman ageing and water coming from her, the room was really sparse and was all to represent death. I felt very much like david st hubbins at Graceland in Spinal Tap, "it's too much fucking perspective". The second floor was a bizarre collection of Chinese art, Japanese tea sets (yes) and European paintings; the latter just made me think of Tony Sopranos painting with the horse unfortunately. The contemporary stuff on the third floor was much more my thing, one selection was entitled 'Timelines' with a simple enough premise, the photographer took some head shots in the late eighties and then went back to the same subjects twenty years later to recreate the shots. The subtle differences were quite startling but the last one was a bit harrowing, each person had their two shots in a frame but the last one was just the man in the eighties and then a blank wall for now showing obviously he'd died, it made me feel awful for some reason. The rest of the stuff was a series of abstract images, the avant garde and post modern art which i rather like, pleasant surprise to find a Warhol original amongst it all too.
I also came across a socialist/LGBT rally at the state library which was campaigning for equal rights for all and mainly gay marriage to be lawful. One of the speakers seemed to me to be just some English guy who was old and needed a shave, he was very eloquent and well spoken though. I found out the next day it was only Sir Ian Mckellen, i was twelve feet away at the time, i really am shockingly blind. It was exactly the same when i found out Paul McCartney played with Neil Young through the papers despite being at the gig myself! You can just about make Gandalf out in the photo too
Back on the wander I walked through the Domain where once again you came across things that would just have to be fenced off in England or ruined. I wasn't overtly impressed with St Kilda really, yes it's another nice beach, big fucking deal. I've realized since coming away i'm much more a city person and i'd rather be out at midnight under the city lights with the deviants than at the beach during the day. I knew that before i left though having not been on South Shield's beach for over a decade despite living opposite it. True story.
Not much to report really as i'm keeping off the drink and a 'low profile' as Leona likes to say, people keep getting thrown out of the Hostel anyway for drinking in their rooms and i just can't afford a session at the bar so have been far too well behaved, I have lost a stone since i've left Sydney which is never a bad thing. Paula is astounded i'm out from 10am till midnight every single day, "i piss about" doesn't really cover my activities. I did go to the MCG to see an AFL game though with Geelong vs Collingwood and 88000 there, i still think the sports a joke though. The hostel is mental , i walked into the sight of beds being tipped over, bongos on the go and a bin tucked into Jason's bed not too long ago. Nobodies claimed it yet which makes me think it was Skinner, just the thing he'd do when pissed up. I have Perth in a week and then it'll be back home which is a very odd proposition so that means only three more travel blogs, thank god though as they've become so hard to write and an utter chore. I'm shocked i've managed to keep them up but glad i have and people seem too like them. So yes next it's Perth, then Rock N Roll Thursdays greatest Hits and the final epilogue.
Song for the day : Doves - Black and White Town
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