I spent Friday night on an art gallery opening crawl – at two of the three galleries that were featuring works in the Brisbane Artist Run Initiatives Festival – Kiln in Paddington (which has the most steampunky art website in the world, I would venture to wager) and Jugglers in the Valley. Danielle O’Brien’s prints and paintings started an octopus theme, which continued on at Jugglers. Later on, I enjoyed the Five Spice Tofu and a Shanghai Beer at the fabulous Super Bowl in Wickham Street – so a really pleasant evening.

I didn’t have my camera with, but here are some photos of Kiln from an opening last year. It’s a transformed former tram substation, so a wonderful example of post-industrial architecture, and you can see why it sits nicely with a steampunk theme.

Postindustrial Art Space by *phenomenologist on deviantART

If you’d like to see a larger image of the photos, click on them then click on “full view” once you’re inside the gallery.

Postindustrial Art Space II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Brisbane art appreciation VII by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Postindustrial Art Space III by *phenomenologist on deviantART

My main weekend activity has been attending the ever wonderful Lifeline Bookfest – and since it goes til next Saturday and I’ll no doubt be popping in again, I think I’ll save up my own tales for a dedicated post.

In the meantime, here are some photos I took down in The Valley the other day.

Valley lights by *phenomenologist on deviantART

If you’d like to see a larger image of the photos, click on them then click on “full view” once you’re inside the gallery.

Grey day by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Village green by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Here in Brisneyland, we’ve escaped the heatwave that his hit some other parts of the country, but we’ve been on the edge of some of the weather events that have brought floods elsewhere (and we send our love and best wishes out to any LP readers affected) – it’s been cool and extremely humid rather than hot and extremely humid as it would normally be at this time of year, and we’ve had tons of rain – some of it quite heavy. That’s all to the good from the point of view of dam levels, showing that the Labor elected, drought breaks adage still has some validity.

It’s been good weather for thesis writing, which is what I’ve mostly been doing. The big aim is to get most of it finished (if not all the loose ends tied) by my birthday on 13 Feb. But I ventured out yesterday – on the one day when it was hot and sultry – to return some books at the QCA library, stroll through Southbank, and buy myself a coffee pot and a bean grinder (if I’m going to be working from home, instant caffeination from sources other than instant is vital). I ran into a friend and ended up having dinner at a local eatery, Vue Lounge on Merthyr Road, which has a very good $12 pasta and $4 house wine deal on Saturday night. Today, nose to the grindstone again.

Panoramic Brisneyland by *phenomenologist on deviantART

If you’d like to see a larger image of the photos, click on them then click on “full view” once you’re inside the gallery.

City Beach I by *phenomenologist on deviantART

The artificial lagoon and beach at Southbank in Brisbane just across the river from the CBD. You can perhaps see why they call our fine city “Brisneyland”.

City Beach II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

City Beach III by *phenomenologist on deviantART

City Beach IV by *phenomenologist on deviantART

What I like about you by *phenomenologist on deviantART

The Gamblers by *phenomenologist on deviantART

With apologies to Dostoevsky. Having a puff outside the Treasury Casino, Elizabeth Street, Brisbane.

Camouflage cat by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Neighbourhood moggie, New Farm. It kind of detracts from the whole “look at me! feed me! pat me!” thing when you fade into the footpath.

After all the Xmas celebrationy stuff, I’ve been working away on a chapter for my PhD thesis on Walter Benjamin (so the absence of any political blogging from me can be related to that as well as the desire to tune out from the day to day political stuff for a bit), but I took the time out to relax on a couple of Citycat trips – by far the nicest way to see Brisbane. For those who aren’t from round here, one of the most interesting things I photographed was the heritage listed Bulimba Ferry Terminal – built in 1922 – and built in Federation Queen Anne style. There’s lots of info on the EPA website here.

As I think I mentioned last week, I’m reading Dickens’ Bleak House, and in my one concession to post Christmas sales mania today, I picked up a copy of the dvd of the BBC series (only bits of which I saw on tv earlier in the year), which I’m looking forward to watching. The first chapter is an absolute tour de force, btw.

If you’d like to see a larger image of the photos, click on them then click on “full view” once you’re inside the gallery.

Bulimba Ferry II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Bulimba Ferry I by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Watching the ferry by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Bulimba Ferry III by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Bulimba Ferry IV by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Mangroves at the ferry stop by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Mangroves at the ferry stop II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Citycat and cliffs by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Bet you didn’t know the Sunshine Coast has wineries – to visit same I went on a road trip today! Anti-Labor neck of the woods up there though – the “Don’t Risk Rudd” billboards are still up on the Bruce Highway (I hope the owners of the advertising space have an efficient billing system which is sending the Nats an accounts receivable notice as we speak…) and the local rag had a pic of Anna Bligh on the front cover which couldn’t have been more unflattering and tons of Tory propaganda inside… you can see why it was the sole bit of the state that swung against Labor in last year’s Queensland election… but still – nice part of the world. Rainforest, beaches, Big Pineapple and all that.

Happy Christmas if I don’t see you round the traps beforehand! Love youse all!

Angel on Christmas tree by *phenomenologist on deviantART

If you’d like to see a larger image of the photos, click on them then click on “full view” once you’re inside the gallery.

Fourth Sunday of Advent by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Best way to start the day by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Magic and the Millennium by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Advent candles II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

On Tuesday, I developed a summer cold which quickly became the summer cold from hell. So I’ve been sleeping lots, reading lots, drinking lots of juice and watching lots of Torchwood. And writing about the election of course. As I’ve started to feel better, I’ve been getting in a few hour long walks by the river – though that’s not as pleasant as it sounds with the sort of humidity we’re getting at the moment in Brisbane… Nothing much else really though I did take the scenic way to the shops this arvo and took some photos along the way.

If you’d like to see a larger image of the photos, click on them then click on “full view” once you’re inside the gallery.

Art Deco Apts by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Rollerblader by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Leafy suburb I by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Leafy suburb II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Leafy suburb III by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Matching house and car by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Mark Street by *phenomenologist on deviantART

New Farm houses V by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Late afternoon sun by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Purple house by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Tools of trade by *phenomenologist on deviantART

After jumping straight back into work on my return from Adelaide, I had a very lazy weekend, largely occupied reading and watching Dr Who dvds, apart from an excursion into town this arvo to have coffee with friends. I walked back along the Riverwalk from the City to New Farm, accompanied by a storm building up and what felt like 100% humidity. Still sitting around at home waiting for it to hit, and having a beer… (incidentally a beer from Barcelona, Estrella. I’m slowly working my way through a four pack thereof!)…

Click through on the photos and then select “full view” to see a larger version.

Story Bridge by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Old St Stephens by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Lazy Sunday VI by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Lazy Sunday VII by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Riverwalk by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Riverwalk II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Waiting for the storm by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Riverwalk III by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Waiting for the storm II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Lazy Sunday VIII by *phenomenologist on deviantART

I’m visiting Adelaide at the moment – down here for my sister’s wedding yesterday. We took a road trip to the Clare Valley on Friday and stopped at the excellent Jesuit Sevenhill winery, yesterday was the wedding and the reception and today’s been lazy!

St Aloysius Church by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Fruit of the vine by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Institute by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Room with a view I by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Room with a view II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Click through on the photos and then select “full view” to see a larger version.

I spent Friday and Saturday nights at the wonderful Brisbane Cabaret Festival at the Powerhouse – seeing Meow Meow (great review here) and After Dinner Mince on Friday night and Meret and Ars Vitalis last night. Voted in the Brisbane Central by-election yesterday (won by Labor’s Grace Grace) and had brunch over at Woolloongabba with a friend, followed by a shopping peregrination through the suburbs. Today was appropriately a day of rest!

Lazy Sunday V by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Vote III by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Holy Spirit Church II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Valley twilight by *phenomenologist on deviantART

It’s Jacaranda time in Brisneyland, and the livin’s easy. My peregrinations on Friday night have already been Facebooked, and Saturday really was a lazy day. But we’re dealing with 30+ days in Brisneyland at the moment (gloriously relieved tonight by the first summer spring storm), and I was a bit wary of wandering down to the Powerhouse for the free Sunday arvo LiveSpark gig. But we’re inured to the weather, we Brisvegans, and so I thought I’d do a bit of a photo essay, as part of my visual/urban sociology project, to document how we enjoy hot afternoons in my neck of the woods. I’ll post all the photos over the fold, but for best results, click through and then click again on the photo or on the full view link for the larger version.

The full set of pics can be viewed @ Facebook. I tend to reserve the deviantart gallery for the ones I like most/think are actually half way decent photos.

The bands playing were the excellent Do the Robot, whom I’ve blogged previously, surely Brisvegas’ premier indie rock glockenspiel band, and Iron On. I’ll be uploading some vids overnight, so watch this space or check out their myspaces (follow the band name hyperlinks) for a taste of what I listened to this arvo. Anyway, I hope everyone had a glorious weekend. I’m kicking back tonight with a six pack of James Squire amber ale and some cashews!

Hot October afternoon by *phenomenologist on deviantART

We’re ahead of the country here in progressive inner city Brisbane, and we’re already having an election before all of youse Mexicans! In typical Brisbane style, the Libs aren’t even running in the race to replace Peter Beattie in the State House, and the action is between Labor and the Greens. We vote next Saturday.

Vote by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Vote II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Jacaranda time by *phenomenologist on deviantART

It’s not just Jacarandas in Brisbane Spring – the roses are in full bloom too.

New Farm Park.

Jacaranda time II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Some of my friends who’ve visited from interstate are under the impression that the biggest political issue in Brisbane is what to do with the Ibises. They may be right.

OMG It’s the Ibises by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Sign reproaches city by *phenomenologist on deviantART

New Farm Park by *phenomenologist on deviantART

New Farm Park II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Do the Robot I by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Do the Robot II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

After the gig by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Lazy Sunday by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Iron On I by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Iron On II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Iron On III by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Man, you need a hat in this weather!

Summer Trilby by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Lazy Sunday II by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Lazy Sunday III by *phenomenologist on deviantART

This Italian game (somewhat akin to bowls) has been popular in New Farm Park for a long time. There used to be a site set apart for old Italian blokes to play it. It’s great when accompanied by a beer or two.

Bocce and beer by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Lazy Sunday IV by *phenomenologist on deviantART

New Farm Park III by *phenomenologist on deviantART

New Farm Park IV by *phenomenologist on deviantART

Writer in the park by *phenomenologist on deviantART