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.