Yesterday

My plan was to go to Spears Point Library to work on my proposal.

As it was, I didn't get away until 10am. I arrived at Glendale just in time to catch a 363 out again. But when I got there I decided to stay on the bus and go to Belmont library instead. And when I got to Belmont I decided to go to Swansea instead and use the library there!

I hadn't been to this library since they built the new building. It was a long trip though. I had lunch in the park on Pacific Highway and then checked out the community centre where the library was located. Funny sort of place - bottom floor is all meeting rooms and the top is split between the library and Tourist/Information shop. The sign at the lift seemed "upside down" (ground floor facilities are listed above first floor) but the library is huge compared to what it used to be, and with so many windows very light and open.

Anyway, I spent some time, and finally got an outline of what I need to write. I'll start working on that on the PC tomorrow morning, while Bobby & Hallie are still asleep.

Oh, and I scored no less than eight new graphic novels to borrow. Not only that, but the library had the only copy of a book about gender in the post-modern age  - cool!

EUROVISION (2nd Semi Final)

Yes, it's on, NOW!

Don't worry, no more posts until it's mostly over.

Eurovision Ratings - round 2

My ratings:

• Iceland - gay icon material (it's the hair)?
  the song is pretty bland - "this is the life, wouldn't change a thing" : 2
• Sweden - almost wearing a dress and legs down to her shoes;
  the song's OK, sort of :  2
• Turkey - short hair and black clothes but they are a band and not a solo act ; best sounding song so far though : 2.5
• Ukraine - gasp, she's in a dress that looks like she stole it from the Swedish entry. No drag queens this year, and this lady's anything but shady : 2

So far, most of the songs sound very much the same.

• Lithuania - a serious voice with a vampire mullet and leather pants (Meatloaf after the Oprah Diet?), yet another solo act but without dancers ; and the lyrics sort of match : 1
• Albania - mmm, nice but dull, but an extra point for not being in English : 2
• Switzerland - liked the song, and the group seemed OK, with decent camera work (fireworks?) : 2.5
• Czech Republic - the all white & skin review, and more bloody fireworks!? : 2 
• Belarus - oooh, interesting sound, standing on mushrooms (?) though another song in English: 2.5

There seems to be a pattern of monochrome looking acts. The Ukraine entry even looked like she was in black and white!

• Latvia - Pirates! Disney has much to answer for, though I doubt that this act will win the contest : 2
• Croatia - OK, guys in black and white fedoras and matching outfits, singing some sort of ballad. The old guy in white ("75 cents")reminds me of nightmares or Twin Peaks, and now they're playing what looks like soft drink bottles! : 3
• Bulgaria - Disco is not dead! More of an electro-reggae-thingamie. Oh bugger, they've spoilt it by singing, and I don't like the lighting : 1.5
• Denmark - Sounds like something you'd hear on Australian Idol, and he looks like he'd be a contestant too. Johnny Young where are you? : 1
• Georgia - She looks like Jackie Onassis slumming and her voice is sort of limited. My dogs are barking along with the song! : 1

Can you tell that I've a few glasses of fruit juice & Stone's Green Ginger Wine?

• Hungary - Total contrast with the previous act. Nice voice and not overwhelmed by backup singers. : 2
• Malta - Nice beat, and should make the top of the charts, in 1982. Nice boots, even if they are white (and the rest of the outfit's black) : 2
• Cypress - Oddly enough, a good song to follow the previous one. I like it, even if it is a throwback to Fred Astaire flicks : 2.1
• F.Y.R. Macedonia - Mmm, nice melody, though the dancers look like they're trying to be pimps and failing. : 1.5
• Portugal - Gasp, what dresses are they wearing? Are they pregnant? Seems terribly deep song about, um, something. : 2

After this, it's up to the voting to pick 10 from the 19 to go into the finals.

 

Eurovision Results (round 2)

And the winners are (in [braces]):

• [Iceland]
• [Sweden]
• [Turkey]
• [Ukraine]
• Lithuania
• [Albania]
• Switzerland
• Czech Republic
• Belarus
• [Latvia] - pirates!
• [Croatia] - 75 cents
• Bulgaria
• [Denmark]
• [Georgia]
• Hungary
• Malta
• Cypress
• F.Y.R. Macedonia
• [Portugal]

Arrrrr - there be Pirates in the Final!