Wednesday 31 October 2007

Kultur Natten Oktober

its lighter in the mornings again.. thanks to changing the clocks. Its called Winter Time here, i like the Australian expression Daylight Saving but actually i think thats the Summer Time equivalent. Of course it is, funny how something so simple gets everyone a little bit confused.

October highlight was Kultur Nat (culture night) which sounds basic enough -The Night of Culture is an annual event when the museums and cultural institutions open their doors with gusto. But because the city centre is so small its almost like an adventure playground where you stumble from one curious sound / light / performance directly into another completely incongruous one .. lots of them use their gorgeous old buildings to the full with floodlighting all over and musicians up on the roofs, or jousting matches with real horses and authenticly dressed medieval knights. Part of the fun is to duck and dive through the courtyards and alleyways in and out of museums and places usually reserved for more sedate visits. Its cold and dark but lively everywhere which all adds to the thrill. One minute we were in the glass corridors of the ultra modern Black Diamond Library which was infiltrated by (not very good but very entertaining) contemporary dancers; the next we were in the courtyard of the artillry museum aiming old leather bows and arrows at turrets lit by moonlight and firelight; the next, sitting on the floor of the Culture Minister's office watching a live VJ and DJ's experimental sound and visual performance with 50 or so young hipsters leaning up against precious artworks. The DJ was particularly kooky and for some reason I was reminded of the lyrics "screwed up eyes and screw down hair do like some cat from japan"..

but maybe we've been playing too much guitar hero again. We claimed it back recently from Johnny's brother in law Claus. It still makes my day when i play.

Finally, I found a decent hairdresser I can trust.. she's cheap too. (me)

Thursday 25 October 2007

a few snaps of boats









I cant stop taking photos of boats there are so many with all kinds of personalities. A funny thing is Amanda is quite a popular name in denmark.. if you're a boat. There is an old song about a sailor longing for his Amanda from Cadamana a small port in the south.
ok, a couple of these are not strictly boats but how funny is that tiny 50s caravan? Its on the edge of christiania, just down the road from my gym, practically in the middle of the city.

Thursday 11 October 2007

gymkana


its been a right regular high level of attendence at Base Camp for us this week. Its easier to go in the evenings in winter with a craving to get hot and the big hot showers there are great afterwards. Its a short bike ride across Christianshavn to get there and back. Looking forward to Culture Night tomorrow where the local attractions like landmarks and Museums Galleries and churches are open all night with events like live music and art performances. Work is kind of busy with a flurry of October November events.. working on a Viking Fest for 400 european real estate agents. how funny.

Wednesday 10 October 2007

Raffles & the Races Birthday






Birthday Pics.. Florence Broadhurst visits Raffles Hotel (via the Christianshavn canals) (for my) & my boss' 50th birthday party I dressed up as Queensland's favouite truth-stretching wallpaper diva in a disused factory converted into a replica of Raffles Hotel. Ever fond of games and birthday traditions the danes didnt hold back notwithstanding the unusual location - long speeches, formal buffet dinner, singapore slings on arrival, lots of cigarette smoking and a game where when your colour was called you had to run up with all the other guests holding balloons the same colour and stuff them up the dress of the birthday girl until she literally popped. I had to stick my up between her legs.. embarrassing all round but i guess that was the point. Quite an ice breaker. Was fun to see everyonedressed up and ver ygenerous to have the whole office invited I thought. The next day was a surprise outing - and quite fitting. Johnny and I enjoyed a lot of local colour at the Races. Or as we say in Denmark - Galopen. Its definately not got the following it enjoys in England or Australia but a very interesting place about 10 mins out of town in the very old Kings Hunting forest, Dyrehvn, and a slightly odd but quaint atmosphere with just the right amount of people to make it fun. It was ladies day so they had two competitions - a best hat in which almost everyone who wore a funny hat won a prize, and the all female jockey race where the winning jockey won her weight in champagne. The weighing was done on some very old scales and was taken rather seriously. Thank you mum for the birthday presents, aussie fashions and some painting lessons. Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes and unreal presents. Lizzie for the no sweat sneakers and the "my mum bedazzled all my clothes tshirt." And thank you Johnny for the i pod. so lucky..

Tuesday 9 October 2007


hi mum!
Am very excited just been talking to lovely lizzie who suggested I come to England with you next year. I would love to come. We can be Team Australia and you can reintroduce me to the family I've been wanting to go but was a bit reluctant to go on my own. I really enjoyed seeing Gabriella last time its so lovely seeing the aunties and cousins and would be so much more fun and easy with you. I remember you got a tiny bit bored at times last trip you went on your own and ended up coming to CPH a bit early (then we ran into the plane ticket drama which was a bit of unecessary excitement) Instead we could run around and do extra little side trips on the spur of the moment if it takes our fancy. Even if its just a quick walk to the local shop or a bike ride while staying with Paddy or Josie. I can see it now, we'd have lots of fun.

Current Favourite Artist Peter Land

With very simple technical means, Peter Land succeeds in giving a new refreshing meaning to the tradition of body art. Seriousness and moralising gestures are abandoned on behalf of humour, self-mockery, and a keen eye for the situation of man at the end of the 20th century. His interest in the human body arises from an entirely sculptural interest. http://www.nicolaiwallner.com/artists/peter/baselinstallation1.html