For the most part, things are excellent. I really canít complain. Have met some super swell folks here and in all earnestness, really dig it here. If I were say, five years younger, perhaps I’d consider living here for a bit. Regardless though, things here are super good and I’m in a few words or less, quite stoked. This first week, I was able to spend some time with the awesome folks at Hammer&Tong, Marilyn&Sons, and SouthSouthWest. Seriously, all awesome and all more than accommodating.

Big shout to Mr. Pato from Hammer&Tong for being my gracious host for a few days and giving me the Melbourne break in and tummy rub. ;). I’ll write more details on each of these as I begin to edit the interviews and start to break down the data. So more to come soon! This week Iím now in Adelaide, which will be Ch. 3 of the Friendship Chronicles. But so far, so good. I have to say, from past traveling experiences, things are much easier this go round. Everybody here speaks english. And better yet, everybody seems super friendly. At least enough so that I can get on the right tram, in the right place at the right time. Hereís a few snaps that Iíve taken so far. Iíll post more as I take em. But so far, so good.

My portable life and Pato’s super comfortable extra room:

A Thai restaurant interestingly named Cookie:

A very nice bookstore that Iíll visit one more time before I leave named Metropolis:

I’m hoping next weekend to get out and see some real animals here. Not the gigantic spiders, but yeah, other animals. But so far, some interesting looking birds that are not pigeons:

As you know, people here drive on the left side of the road. I am pretty sure I look like an idiot everytime Iím crossing the street as I am still perplexed and perhaps one or two steps overly cautious before I cross. Hereís a beauty I saw in the North Carlton neighborhood of one of my favs, the 2002 from Bavarian Motor Works:

A fashion house with some nice wall vinyling and a nice name:

Awesomely enough, the State Library is having an exhibition on the beginnings and current incarnation of the type, books and writing of Victoria. If you are in the neighborhood, a well worthy visit. Here is some awesomeness I saw there, these photos are of Is Not Magazine. Itís quite beautiful in person. Iím afraid these photos do not do it justice:

Some pretty beautiful pieces from 70ís editor and poet Pi.0. Yes, an interesting name. These were quite beautiful:

Iíve finally gotten to see, for the first time live ever, a UVA installation and I must say, it is enthralling. I wish I could have seen it at night. But I was quite excited and quite moved by this. It’s really quite powerful:

Here are some images of the Australian Center for the Moving Image. I underestand this whole block, known as Federation Square to be quite controversial but from an outsiders point of view, it seems quite fancy fancy and a nice new mark to the city. Regardless, itís a nice place and I was able to catch a showing of StyleWars here on one night:

It’s cold here. But not too cold. But I’ve noticed, a lot of folks use these heat lamps everywhere:

The Australian Cenre for Contemporary Art is an interesting building as well. The exhibit was pretty interesting. I found some of the work of Tacita Dean to be simple and pretty powerful:

This is me, messing with her work:

From the Shrine of Remembrance:

I dig this loopy type in the Fitzroy Gardens:

Okay, this post is getting way too long. I’ll finish now. Just wanted to say, thank you Melbourne, for a great first week. Iíll post more soon again. Have a good week all and greetings from down under: