Cafe Culture in Sydney

Sydney has hands down some of the best coffee in the world. Finding new cafes is part of the fun of life in Sydney.

For anyone who wants good coffee and a bit of flirting with an Italian barrista, check out Bar 7 on Oxford.

The owner even poses for photos, on his skooter in the cafe. Very nice of him.

Priscilla on Stage

Mum and I saw a matinee performance of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the musical and really enjoyed it. Incredible costume and set design, complete with a real bus on stage. Great.

Pubs in Sydney

This weekend was quite social, starting with meeting a friend Friday evening at the Paddington Inn on Oxford Street. The front is the bar, with big windows looking out onto the street. The back has been recently redesigned to include an enclosed outdoor room for smokers and tables for those who want to eat. It was a wet, blustery night but the pub was packed.

Saturday, I met up with some friends at the Australia Heritage Hotel in the Rocks. Outdoor seating and great low key atmosphere. They have a lot of micro brew beer on tap like Byron Bay but despite much peer pressure, I opted for glasses of white wine. We ordered several small pizzas which were very tasty. After the rain on Friday, Saturday was a beautiful day and much fun was had by all.

Best tall tale from Saturday pub day - I only lived in the States for 6 weeks and just picked up the accent very quickly.

Australia, the movie, mate - go see it!

For Mum's birthday yesterday, she requested that we go see Australia, the movie. Initially, she had said she wouldn't see it. She is not a fan of "Our Nic," as Australians like to refer to Nicole Kidman. But after hearing from several of her friends that they had taken the plunge and emerged refreshed, off we went.

And what a ride! Academy award winning performances, life changing - maybe not. But it should get an award for cinematography and costumes - beautiful visually. It was all shot on location in Australia. The movie is a sweeping fun epic that depicts parts of Australian culture - humor, adventure and the story of the Aborigine - incredibly well.

The humor and camp is kind of like Australian humor - it kind of pokes fun of itself or "takes the piss" out of itself. And doesn't take itself too seriously. Adventure - Australians of all backgrounds love to travel and take on a challenge. And do so with a grin.

The story of the Aborigine and the Stolen Generation is one worth learning about, for all. Another good movie about this same topic is Rabbit Proof Fence. It is about belonging and not belonging, about acceptance and the importance of our individual story and home.

Also, it is a little known fact that Australia was bombed by the Japanese during World War II in Darwin, just after Pearl Harbor (same day as my mother's birthday).

There was so much hype that it would have been hard for the film to live up to it all. But is a fun cinema going experience and worth seeing on the big screen.

The Hynek girls enjoyed Australia.

International Academy of Film and Television

I am doing some marketing strategy consulting for IAFT and am really enjoying working with the teachers and mentors to promote the talent. Great piece that highlights students and the school. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X9qGaIDdKY

Moving Day!!!!

I got a flat in Paddington and I am SO excited!

I have already moved most things in, as it were, since I really don't have many things. My mother has lent me furniture that was in storage and it all fits perfectly since it is not the biggest place I have ever seen. I hired really good movers who were really funny.

It is a quick walk to the main street of Paddington, that has great cafes, restaurants, small indie movie theatres, Centennial Park and the library. It is also a very safe area and really close to both the city and the beach.

The flat is closer to friends' places and also three houses down are two sons of my mother's friend, so on the off chance something goes wrong, I can knock, knock, knock on their door. I think I will make them a plate of chocolate chip cookies to start the goodwill.

I also have a tiny view from my balcony of Elizabeth Bay and can see the tops of sailboats and ferries passing by!

Ladies who lunch...continued

Yesterday, one of my mother's closest friends hosted a birthday luncheon for my mother. 10 ladies in all, for champagne, nibbles, a beautiful curry chicken salad, pavlova for dessert, coffee, tea and turkish delight. A day of much laughter. I am so pleased to be here in Sydney to spend days like this with my mum.

Andre Rieu Extravaganza for Thanksgiving Down Under

My mother and I were given tickets to see the opening night performance of Andre Rieu, a sort of Austrian violin-playing, conducting, circus master. It was a spectacle and as they say in Oz, over the top. The set was a full size reproduction of an Austrian castle, complete with two ice-skating rinks, a ballroom, water fountains and a full orchestra. They played classical songs for over three hours. Andre likes applause and requested clapping before and after songs. The venue was homebush, where the Sydney Olympics were held and was the only place big enough for the set. But the accoustics were awful. He does tell a little history before each song and that makes it more interesting - makes classical music more accessible. And he does make it fun. He inspired a lot of the audience to get up and waltz. By the end of the encore, after the 200 bagpipes marched in, the stadium was all signing Waltzing Matilda. Crazy madcap over the top.