Diaries news

You know how a while ago I was telling you about New Zealand’s Rhythm and Vines Festival and how if you didn’t go then your NYE would essentially be the worst and most regrettable night of your life? Well, hopefully you all took heed and the tickets are in your hot little hand, the plane/train/car is booked, three days of CUTE AS festival outfits have been planned and you are, like heaps excited right? But what about accommodation?  Three days is a long time to be crashing in an increasing odourous pop-up tent or temporary doss house with 14 others  - particularly in such lush surrounds as the Waiohika Estate (did I mention it’s a winery?!)  – which is why the R&V organisers have introduced the Luxury Tented Village. If you are after something a bit spesh then it doesn’t get any flasher than a big ol’ furnished tent; complete with queen bed, crisp white linen, fresh cut flowers, killer views, hot showers and, I’m told, little goodies on your pillow! Other privileges to lord over everyone else include wireless internet and power points, lock-up for your belongings, 24 hour security, a free 24 hour shuttle to and from the venue, a fridge for your beers (or Moet) and easy access to the markets and various stages. Like woah!!! Prices start at $780.00 for two but I reckon and get your besties together and pitch in for the six-person tent at $1,890.00. That’s less than a hundy each per night for some damn fine silver-platter camping. In keeping things exclusive, places in the village are super limited and with the dying days of 2008 ticking by you should get in quick!! www.insta-tent.co.nz

I often find myself in conversation with friends, debating the merits of city-living. Despite growing up in a small coastal town, I'm now unashamedly addicted to the urban metropoli. But until a conversation a few days ago, I must admit my arguments were fairly weak. I'd muse old faithfuls like:
"... just so much going on, lots of energy, loads of different people...". And although they were true, even I didn't believe that they were the reason for my love affair with high density living. They were why I liked it, not why I loved it.
My best friend (from the opposition 'I don't love the city' team) proposed, "I'm glad I don't have to live in London. I'd prefer to just visit for a couple of days at a time and then get the hell out of there."
" Well of course you hate it then. The best thing about living in a city is that you get below the surface. You find the little places tucked away that you begin to know and love and can call your own." And there it was. My light-bulb moment. By finding pockets of wonderfulness, you eek out your own existence and can fight that feeling of being so small that you're overwhelmed by hugeness. Phew...
It's less about George St, in Sydney's CBD, more about Booth St, Annandale or Gould St, Bondi. It's the cafe run by a bunch of Kiwis that serves the only good coffee in London, the knowledge of which is passed like gospel, from ex-pat to ex-pat (when you come, we'll tell you!). It's the amazing Turkish restaurant we only found because our washing machine broke and it was next door to the Laundromat. It's the skinny barista, with beautiful eyes, in a cafe on Abercrombie St, whom I flirted with shamelessly each morning on my journey into Sydney Uni. It's the guy pictured up here, in the middle of Tokyo's 35 million inhabitants, on an outrageously busy shopping strip in Shinjuku, chilling on the pavement, selling his hand-illustrated postcards. These small diamonds in the roughs make no parking in Bondi, the tube at peak hour, living in shoeboxes and millions of neighbours so much easier to love.
And that's it. I don't have anything in particular to plug, or point you towards. I just wanted to share this little epiphany. What's the pocket of your city that makes it all worthwhile?

 

Dear Giuseppe Zanotti,

How does it feel knowing you're the most coveted shoe-crafter around? You probably get loads of drivelly fan mail from desperate, impetuous women who have nothing better to do than sit on eBay all day scrolling through your wares and drooling onto their sticky, crumb-filled keyboards. But seriously...I think we are kindred foot ware spirits. It's not like I've googled photos of you or anything (though I must say, you're looking pretty good for your age). I appreciate you for your sharp innovation and sleek, mod-inspired designs. Fancy that you were born in San Mauro Pascoli - ok so, I've never actually been there or heard of it but I'm totally going now. All I need is some great free shoes so I feel the part...  I'm usually a size 9 but if you've got any spare 7's hanging around, I'd happily cut off my toes.

Yours in obsessive admiration,

Laura Bannister

P.S If only I had more than $27.40 in my savings account I would be sporting your delicious floral print cut-out wedges this very minute.

Maybe it's just me (actually, I'm almost positive I'm alone on this one) but photographer David Bailey sure knew how to make a young Mick Jagger look like THE most alluring man alive. Truth.

On its eighth annual trail through international cities, the Bicycle Film Festival will be rolling into Melbourne and pulling its second round of stunts from Wednesday 19th til Sunday 23rd of November 2008. From slick fixed gear gods to spokey-doke adorners, the Bicycle Film Festival brings together Melbourne's diverse range of bike riders to celebrate man's beloved mechanical companion. The festival will screen an array of international and local films, and continue its promotion of the bicycle through a side-program of art, music, and fashion festivities.  Set in CBD venues all within a bunny-hop of each other, this year's festival is certain to see the city blossoming with bicycle love. For more information go to www.bicyclefilmfestival.com.au

It's getting to that time of year when everyone starts making tentative plans for New Years Eve. For what's meant to be the most celebratory event of the year NYE is quite a stressful one - "what if all my friends are away while I'm stuck in X", "I hope I don't ring in the New Year in some shitty, last-minute-choice basement bar like last time", or worse "I hope I'm not counting down while on the train" (this has happened to me...twice). That's why this New Years we should all make a mad exodus to a place where there are no shitty basement bars or underground trains - The Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne, New Zealand.
If the fact that Gisborne is the sunniest town in NZ and the first place in the world to see in the New Year wasn't alone worth the plane ticket, then consider three days of performances from Santogold, Franz Ferdinand, Late of the Pier, The Kooks, Carl Cox, Digitalism, Jamie Lidell (i.e, my future husband), Ajax, The Datsuns and, like, heaps more. Did I mention the venue is the famed Waiohika Estate vineyard? Umm delicious food and succulent wines anyone?
If you've missed out on Falls and pretty much every other NYE event that sold out in two seconds than I would seriously recommend making the journey - if you get in early via sites like webjet then you can pick up flights to Auckland pretty cheap, from there it's just a matter of bussing or chipping in for a hire car (roadtrip!). There's also heaps of accommodation options available and, most importantly, I guarantee you will have the time of your life. Rhythm and Vines runs from December 29 - January first with event passes starting at $185 (NZ).
www.rhythmandvines.co.nz

Sometimes I go off sydney a bit , Like "Why am I still here? Waah, it's so boring, whine" etc. These rants usually happen in winter and then summer rolls around and I invariably remember that I'm still here because there's actually some cool stuff to be had - like checking out a free wednesday night gig from Jack Ladder and Rand and Holland, or rolling lavender between your palms during a sunny afternoon at the botanic gardens, or (this month at least) stepping just out of the city bustle and into Hyde park to gorge on some fresh-made treats at the Good Food Month Night Noodle Markets. Arguably one of the most popular events on the Good food Month calendar, the noodle markets see stalls from various local restaurants smattered around the northern end of Hyde park; offering everything from slurp-friendly noodle broths to japanese okonomiyaki to himalayan kebabs and, for afters, sticky mango rice. YUM!! The offerings are also pretty wallet friendly at around the $10 mark - meaning you'll have cold beer change to spare. The Night noodle Markets are on mon-fri, 5pm-9pm until October 19.