Cheers from Awakabal Country

Cadenza

Newcastle Beach

     Life is a journey not a destination.   

         Peace and passion forever!

That is the final word.

 

 

The festival of Diwali is staged at this time in the subcontinent and in the diaspora when religious syncretism leads to large and colourful gatherings as I understand. In synchronism I write of an Indian novel which was reread to consider the synthesis of story, semantics and syntax but the story was strong and held sway.

I can’t say if the novel, Burnt Sugar, has wide appeal. Before this, I couldn't see the wood for the trees and the story proves to be an unusual enticing read. It is humorous and harrowing, not romantic in the usual sense, every sentence is an event, lots of flack is aimed at Indian domestic life and beyond.  The chaos and excentricity is likeable, the protagonist risks the label of OCD or Spectrum yet is probably normal – depending on where you are coming from. The dynamics between mother and daughter are a disturbing theme. 

   The writing by Avni Doshi flows along in short sentences and naturally there is a lot of scope to check out how it is done. The work is also full of detail. In another universe the films from Jacques Tati are all about detail except they can make you laugh out loud (Monsieur Hulot's Holiday). A novel is a change after a lot of non-fiction - good as it is. Mr Peter Hartcher writes politics for the Sydney Morning Herald and he usually comes to our aid by refreshing the background as he goes about the analysis. The other regular pundits are always in fine form.  Thanks go to Elizabeth Farrelly for calling out the latest assaults on the cityscape.

  

A loving tribute found displayed at Newcastle beach

Out do the Illawarra coast

A road follows the seafront and twists  and turns through a park.  Why didn't locals demand it be kept in use? All the way. As the special feature it is. The cliff face was unstable. Council is risk averse. As it is nearby works are taking years of effort.

Debate about renewables and attention from on high is great. Consider whether it is abstract talk. Big company seeks Hydrogen investment via Twiggy, is it a carbon write down? However, hydrogen technology has not been developed. It is all delusional.

Ten things to do before I die

#7. End this blog.

Symbolism

Our climate policy is in a little blue guide book brandished by the PM. Is it all about proposals rather than action? By and large we don't yet experience climate change, carbon, animal extinction are invisible, the enemy is unseen and fails to pressure us into zero carbon.                  Sunday and the institutional side of some religions is vastly symbolic, layered and peculiar when all else in life is in 'yer face. The institutional is far from the sum total of any religion.                       

Meta...metamorphosis

Chenille type bed 'linen' has made a comeback. Chenille is French for caterpillar! Having had the good fortune of keeping out of shops for almost two years who's to know the latest trends. 

Halloween

  I can't recall seeing any of the iconic horror movies from Hollywood although The Shining was an earlier one. From memory, the optics of a looming planet and uneasy atmosphere of a drama scfi film Melancholia was very haunting. It was like that whilst the gist of personal dramas therein have gone.  

Positive negative

Spotlighting and spotclouding Newcastle Beach

Surfing

Surfing is a simple pleasure. Certain sized breakers every so often swamp, half wipe-out, propel back and forth, deep enough water is one way while calm warm deep bouyant water is for when you go with the flow and take it easy, rise and fall between surprise dunking, the feet landing on softest sand. Feels wonderful afterwards in any warm summer breeze.  This is one view from a binary female. She was not a strong ardent surfer.

Power and Promise

No surfing. Dangerous currents. Red flag flying at Newcastle beach. Looks benign but don't let it fool you. 

Consider the life-saving COP26 Summit, it is a time of tremendous hope and anticipation as we plan and work to avert climate change. Imagine our satisfaction when we succeed in dealing with this critical situation.

The Australian policy to reduce carbon emissions will be rewritten the very day we get a credible government, no problem, no hurry, it's only our survival at stake, better still, take heart, the states will continue setting goals, the states are at the very coal face. What's the tommyrot about Australian values?

Says the Health Minister: 'We will be one of the most vaccinated people in the world.' Why cover one cause and neglect another?

 

Wiradjuri country

Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk.  Beside Milawa Billa (Murray River) Albury. Stroll, reflect, although the above carving of a kangaroo-like figure is somehow disconcerting.

Wiradjuri Country

Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk beside the Murray River, Albury, NSW.