Sydney Harbour Whale Watching and Taronga Zoo (2023)
Spending a sunny Saturday whale watching off Sydney Harbour with Captain Cook Cruises, then visiting Taronga Zoo in the afternoon.
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Supanova Sydney (2023)
On behalf of MyGeekCulture.com.au I visit Supanova Pop Culture Comic and Gaming Expo, at The Dome – Sydney Olympic Park, June 2023. Big thanks to Supanova.
Produced and edited by myself.
Grab a snack in Barangaroo (2023)
During my lunch break, I had a walk around Barangaroo in Sydney. The newishly built business and industrial area has given Darling Harbour a much-needed facelift, with beautiful scenery.
Sydney Scenic Walk (2023)
Sunday May 14, 2023. My wife competed in the Mothers Day Classic to raise money for breast cancer, with the event starting and ending at The Domain, Sydney.
I wandered around the area while some of the roads were closed, exploring a bit of Woolloomooloo and the streets surrounding.
Moving On Back
Back in my hometown, and I’m visiting my old local neighbourhood store where I grew up.
I’m now 40, and I used to stand at this counter (well, not THIS exact counter, but the counter that was designed there at the time) when I was 10 years old+ eyeing off the 5c lollies, candy cigarettes, and order $2 worth chips. You used to could rent Sega Master System then.
The original owner / operator was a man with a maltese background called Michael. The store has been running as a mixed business, cooking hot food, groceries that are at full RRP or more, and was at one stage offering video and game rentals. He ran the place when it first was built in the early 1990s.
He sold it after five years to a husband & wife team from Poland (I think), who were in their mid 50s who were going to use the business to retire on. I still remember running up to the store from home as a teenager, needing to buy a bottle of cola. The lady asked me if it was a “Hot or Cold” cola. Confused, she was refering to the fact if I got it out of the fridge or from the shelf. They were charging an extra 30 cents for refrigerated cola. There was another time when I was about ten years, and I wanted to ‘hang out’ with friends without supervision. So I ran to the store with my pocket money and thought to buy a chocolate Bounty for Mum to ‘gift’ to her to suck up. The Bounty was 95c at the supermarket, but they were selling if for $1.10, and all I had was $1 in 20 and 10 cent coins. The lady gave it to me for 90 cents. Sadly, a few years into them running the takeaway store, the husband died of a heart attack. I remember that she ended up running it with her son or nephew, and she was miserable… understandably.
When I moved away from the area in my early 20s, I popped in one day to see an Asian family running it. I haven’t visited for over 20 years, and now after visiting today, an Arabic family are in charge. Going by photos on Google, I think there was another family running the store before them. Every person who I’ve interacted with there are extremely friendly, and I’ve seen it go from VHS / Game rental, to DVD, to just groceries – but always serving various hot foods and fruit / veg grown in the backyard of the store.
FYI – I ordered minimum chips – which is now $5.50, and a pineapple fritter for $2.20. But I’ve never had a ‘double’ fritter before. I’ll take it as a “Welcome back to the neighbourhood”.
Sydney Vivid Light Festival (2022)
Between May and June, Vivid shines on Sydney.
The festival of light displays visually stunning designs of art on buildings, decor, and other surroundings between the stretch of Ultimo to the Sydney Opera House.
It is best viewed at night – for obvious reasons…
A walk-around of Vivid Sydney festival of light on June 17, 2022. It continues through Barangaroo to the Sydney Opera House, but we stopped at King Street Wharf. Music by myself.
Supanova 2022
Saturday 9th April 2022 I produced a video for My Geek Culture surrounding Supanova – an Australian pop culture expo that tours around the country. This exhibition was held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
While my media pass gave me permission to film, I was limited in reaching out to the guests, such as John Jarratt, Josh Lawson, Temuera Morrison and others.
Cosplayers were happy to chat about their costume, with me suggesting a random question.
Video, audio, editing by myself, with assistance from Sam Harris.
Lego Meta Jurassic Park BRISBRICKS Display
BRISBRICKS is a Lego User Group recognised by LEGO. Based in Brisbane, if you love your LEGO, you should be part of their team.
In March 2020, BRISBRICKS had a LEGO display in the heart of Oasis Shopping Centre in Broadbeach, showing a detailed vision of LEGO displays and mashed up pop culture.
Heritage Park
Just thought I’d share a sign with you.
There is an old farm lot in Coomera which has been knocked down for an aquatic centre. While I never attended the farm itself, I was always intrigued by the rustic sign at the entrance front.
Short Audio Story: Make It Last (2019)
In March 2019 I entered a RODE competition to create a two minute podcast about any topic I wanted, in order to win some great podcasting products. (I didn’t win, but I don’t care).
From my brain was “Make It Last” – a two minute feature based on my grandparents. I was lucky enough to have them in my life until my late 30s, and cherished every moment with them.
In 2014, I recorded interviews with them about their experience living during the World War II period. I had some off-cuts, which showed their personalities more than anything. Grandad (Fred), Nanna Shirley and Nanna Hazel got together over a coffee (with assistance from Mum) and they chatted our ears off. Unfortunately Pa (Ron) had passed away in 1991, so I wasn’t lucky enough to record anything from him… even though I was 10 at the time.
Grandad (Fred) passed away in 2016. Nanna Shirley passed away in 2017. Nanna Hazel passed away in 2021.
I love them and miss them, terribly. But I have these recordings which I will cherish forever.