On the creative process

Some overwhelming typography, but itdoesn't make these words any less worthwhile!

Love Ira Glass.  Close the gap.

A poem for breakfast

I've seen this guy floating around the Mission before and have always wanted to ask him for a poem.  Passing through the How Weird Street Faire today (only in San Francisco) I happened to find him perched in the middle of the street, it was a lazy sunny afternoon: the perfect time to order up some poetry.  The way it works is that you either give him a topic, or just free reign, and he'll type up a poem for you on the spot.  You're then free to leave a donation, as you see fit.

Watching a three others go before me I got the sense that most of his requests were about relationships, so I ditched my initial thought of asking for a poem about C and decided to ask for a poem about breakfast instead.  I've spoken before about my love of this meal, and he looked tangibly refreshed to get a non-love topic (although, I *do love* breakfast).

Below is the result, now sitting happily on my fridge.

This couple asked for a poem about their 10 years of marriage.

I actually really really like it.

Thank you Ryan Ashley!  I look forward to my strong consumption tomorrow.

Making up for a lost summer

People have been asking me how my trip went; I say that I fell in love with New York, and I feel like San Francisco is its younger, littler chilled out brother.  Conversely, I feel like Miami is LA's best friend and they're two girls who always want to go out.  While I loved the relentlessly warm weather and beaches that made you feel like you were in a postcard, Miami was definitely a city to visit but not sustainably one I could live in.

I'll take that tan though, thank you!

The private beach area at Fontainebleau - we didn't see Puff Daddy, but this view was enough for me.  I couldn't get enough of the water, so clear and blue.

Shopping in the up and coming Design District - some very cool shop fronts on a wide street.

Spicy fries!  This is the beginning of one of my most favourite afternoons there, sitting in the sun at Southstreet with a cocktail jug and Southern style fried chicken still to come.

Outside the Wynwood Walls, the Wynwood warehouse district was the most sincere neighborhood I came across in Miami - think a strong Cuban community, open air bars and an impressive span of street art.

NYC wrap up to come!

Oh my, oh my

The Empire State Building from the Top of the Rock.

Let me say it now - I have never met a city that I have loved so much on first sight as I love New York.  I'm currently writing this from the hotel room here - it's my last evening here after a weekend of sensory overload.  I'll post a longer writeup later, but for now I wanted to share two quotes that I read years ago and squirreled away in my mind to reference back to when I finally made it here.  I didn't even make it to Grand Central but I feel like walking the streets alone has been enough to feel the value of architecture.

"New York is the city where the future comes to rehearse"
- New York City Mayor Ed Koch in 1986

“To pass through Grand Central Terminal, one of New York’s exalted public spaces, is an ennobling experience, a gift. To commute via the bowels of Penn Station, just a few blocks away, is a humiliation.  What is the value of architecture? It can be measured, culturally, humanely and historically, in the gulf between these two places.”
- Michael Kimmelman, architecture critic for The New York Times

And yes, the future certainly comes to rehearse here.  Already planning my next trip.

Some things that are crazy

Birdcages hanging up in the Sydney CBD.

"If you are not doing some things that are crazy, then you are doing the wrong things."

Oh, Larry.

Vivvaaaaa

Where it's always daytime in Italy.

Home from a couple of crazy days in Vegas with the biggest group of people I've ever seen (pool party for 12,000 people anyone?)  Outside of some late night instagramming, I barely took any photos but this quick snap from the Canal shops at the Venetian capture the essence of the place - it's a sensory overload that sweeps you up into the greatest fun but ultimately is not real life.  There was some great catch ups with old and new faces, early mornings in private villas and even Bruno Mars in there, but I am blissfully happy to be in my own bed tonight.

Salad and gym, I am coming for you tomorrow.

Hang in there

"Hang in there.  It is astonishing how short a time it can take for very wonderful things to happen."

- Frances Hodgson Burnett.  Ah how I loved The Secret Garden.

Sydney, you've grown!

Ok last Sydney post that I just have to squeeze out.  I could write about catching up with C and family and all the lovely folk back home but all those emotions are even more difficult to capture than the mountain tops of Yosemite.  It was so, so great to visit, but also strangely wonderful to get back here - which I didn't expect to feel in such a short amount of time.

Anyway, to a more superficial aspect of how Sydney has changed - with the free time that I had I was determined to see the slew of new places that have opened up in the city, and boy was I impressed!  We're definitely a step closer to giving Melbs a run for their money, methinks.  Of course, everything felt wildly overpriced compared to 'Merica but that's a story for another time.

Here's a snapshot of what I sampled, accompanied by some of the worst photos ever taken.  *Bad Asian me*.

China Lane - the delicious, younger CBD sister of China Doll which C met me for lunch at - yes, it's in that birdcage alley, but the artwork actually adds to the ambiance.  Order the shrimp San Choy Bau.

A most delightful belated birthday dinner with my traditional duo at Mejico, right next door to Jamie's Italian.  They make the guacamole for you fresh on the spot (I'm talkin' someone will actually cut and scoop and mash that avocado in front of you and ask you if you want pistachos in with it too - say yes!)

Bizarrely this looks like some kind of creepy RSL but it's in fact The Rook - the perfect, hidden rooftop bar in the city in that it's actually indoors (hard to explain, but the roof is see through in parts).  It's annoyingly owned by the Cargo crew, but you have to give props for when an empire gets it right - and this was loads of fun!

My most favourite new place of all - Monopole, which was conveniently stumbling distance from home.  C managed to get us late reservations on a Saturday, and we were seated even later, but they entirely made up for it with some of the best service I've had in Sydney - delicious canapes coming out to us with their apologies for the wait, and the best wine recommendations.  Love!

Finally, while not that new at all I really wanted to go to The Apollo as I still hadn't tried it.  I'd heard mixed reviews, but I really loved it!  C was on a health kick, so he didn't let me order the baked cheese (*shakes fist*) but the sardines, octopus and salads were no less enjoyable, and super flavoursome.

And then I came home and went on a juice cleanse.  Well, tried to.

G'night everyone.

The other island, Part 2

Me: "So, I feel really bad that I hadn't been to Tasmania sooner."
Every American I have worked with in Sydney: "Yeah every time we told people we were going to Tasmania, Australians would laugh at us and ask why."
Me: *nervous laughter as that was probably me*

Argh, just go already.  This post is so late I'm just going to throw a bunch of pictures out there and call it a day - Part 1 here.

Hiking up Cradle Mountain, the view back onto the incredible Dove Lake - incredible even in the overcast weather.

I was really fascinated by this black moss that I saw everywhere - I feel like there were so many plants I hadn't seen before there, it was amazing!

Yeah that's right - my most favourite Australian animal in the wild!  He was just foraging around, looking for snack I presume.  The sad part is though that he was probably blind as he was out during the day (wombats are nocturnal), or maybe he was just up and about for a midnight snack - who knows.

Ploughman's lunch - aka my fantasy.

Popping into some beautiful vineyards on drive back to the airport.  This was Goaty Hill who see their wines get served up at Toko.  Took home a couple of delicious bottles of Pino Gris in our suitcases.

I'm so sorry it took me so long, the other island!