Take action. BAN LIVE ANIMAL EXPORTS

The footage is graphic and the suffering is real.

There aren't any winners in this situation. Livestock farmers and animal protectionists alike have witnessed the cruelty of Australian cattle processing in the Indonesian abattoirs.

Depressingly this has been going on for over 10 years now. The Meat and Livestock Association (MLA) here in Australia has some questions to answer. Blatantly refusing to compensate the cattle farmers they say they represent (and receive levies from) it's now up to us, the tax payer to fund compensation regardless of which side you take.

Support the upcoming 'It's Time To Take Action' rallies in your local cities (Adelaide Sun 14th August) to voice your protest and make a stand against cruelty to all animals.

Rundle Lantern goes here

We stand back and look at this in awe. Basically it's because it's all we have and we are a parochial bunch. Just a few coloured panels and it's a 'world class' attraction for all to come and see. Er, yeah right. It dresses up a bland car park and for that it gets my nod. Do the one next door too.

What is so unique about Rundle Mall?

def: u·nique/yo͞oˈnēk/

Noun: A unique person or thing.

Adjective: Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else: "the situation was unique in modern politics"; "original and unique designs".

Can we apply this definition to the central Adelaide city retail precinct known as Rundle Mall?

A recent Advertiser newspaper feature questioned the very same in a vox-pop poll of strolling pedestrians resulting in the majority consensus that few agreed Rundle Mall is any more unique than other city malls.

Now I know Martin Haese (Rundle Mall Manager) is really doing some good work to incorporate a more youthful slant on the mall. But the mall is visually tired, showing it's age and has no focal point, no sense of adventure or wonder and that sadly people is the reality.

His side-kick John Samartzis keeps offering the over-worked line of... "Rundle Mall is Unique, that is the key word here and what we are striving for... Unique". Hmmm... I guess that newspaper poll pretty much nailed the argument in the negative here. I'd like to suggest that the marketing department finds a more 'unique' marketing moniker than unique coz we've heard it before, it's parse and tired just like the mall, -get the point here.

I was poo-pooed at a traders meeting when I offered my 2 cents worth of why Rundle Mall is unique. And it's not from today but in the mid 80's when MYER's in the mall installed a roller coaster in the atrium 7 floors above the mall. Wow, did this create a buzz. It was kinda shocking, scary in fact. Whether you chose to ride it or not didn't matter. It attracted visitors, was a draw card and was the only original (insert unique) aspect of the Mall at that time. Died coz of the State Bank debacle. Just a wasteland now of unleased shops (in fact the top floors are now closed to the public).

 
I'd like to see a modern version of it again or something just as wild. Get dangerous and push the envelope. It's not about getting major international clothing labels to rent in the mall, ho-hum, we can get that anywhere now. That is not... insert... Unique.

Why sometimes being big is better.

This is just wonderful. Love it, -the scale, the obvious wow factor and the buzz it creates with the public. Let's be brave and embrace this original thinking.


Of course I'm talking about the 8 metre tall sculpture of Marilyn Monroe in her most famous pose. Unveiled on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, it is made of stainless steel and aluminum and weighs in at over 15 tonnes.

Check more out here;

http://dayanaratorresbuzz.blogspot.com/2011/07/marilyn-monroe-sculpture-in-chicago.html

or google image search; Large Marilyn Monroe sculpture Chicago.

Hospital car parking makes me feel sick.

Here's something to make you feel nauseous. From mid 2011 all hospitals will now charge for visitor car parking.

Over $13.00 per day minimum (and set to rise thereafter). This is obviously another quick money grab by the government, sorry but I just can't see another reason for it.


Oh, SA health minister John Hill remarked on TV that visitors have been paying for parking at the RAH for years and it hasn't stopped people from visiting. What???!!! Perhaps they don't have a choice John. I'm sure they would rather not pay if given a choice.

"Oh it's to make the entire system across the board more consistent" another said. What the hell does that actually mean? Is that a rational reason to do it? Pollie speak, love it.

So let's work it out. Visit a sick relative or friend in hospital. One weeks car parking at $100.00 minimum, factor in petrol, a coffee or snack (at over inflated prices), or catch the unreliable public transport (in wet weather) and now the entire system is consistent in fleecing the public. I feel better now.

Victoria Square should have a wave lagoon!

Just back from Darwin.

Really like the place. Hung around the new wharf precinct development which includes the new Convention Centre with it's popular wave lagoon at its feet.

Now there is a plan to revamp the deserted Victoria Square in Adelaide. Plenty to discuss here later. And the latest and greatest plan is, -well adequate but resembles a facsimile to whats already been done in Melbourne. Bottom line is to attract a crowd and bring a real vibe to this city 'round about'.

Now it gets hot in summer in Adelaide. And if you want to attract people to a location provide something that can not only relieve summer stress but has a wow factor beyond belief. Cue Wave Pool! Actually a Wave Lagoon! You don't have to swim in it to appreciate it. Slap bang in the middle of a city it would definitely draw a crowd or three, it's quite a spectacle. And if Darwin with a population of 100k + can do it then so can Adelaide. Worried about the carbon footprint? Use solar power generated by panels on nearby rooftops.

So... consider the wasted parcel of turf south of Victoria Square. Build an amazing wave lagoon. Sprinkle it with plein-air cafes and such. Maybe create sand beaches like they do on the banks of the River Seine during summer in Paris. Hey the tram can circle by (it's route goes right past). What a view arriving to the city this would be for commuters. Worth considering huh.

Tell me, does the current plan float your boat?

Beach Bashing. We just haven't learnt a thing.

Henley Beach Square. A beautiful evolving public space. Well not any more. Gone forever. The developers have come in with their over-sized apartments lined up along the foreshore. I can't believe it can still be done, -again! This same type of development trashed Glenelg's foreshore, upset Brighton's character mix, sold out North Adelaide and now it's Henley Beachs' turn. Good to see the public up in arms but way too late as I feel there is more too come and its fate now sealed.

Regrettably it seems developers have all the muscle these days and are excerising it without haste. Considering the generous donations they pay to the political parties it's no surprise the public remain powerless. And councils just have no teeth whatsoever. They just smile blankly on TV and say "It's important the locals tell us what they want". Really? You mean you don't have a clue yourself. Gives me the shits!

Ah... Paris

I do lament the demise of the East End Market, however one small benefit personally exists for me..

This is Charlick Circuit in the East End. Not that it is particularly beautiful or outstanding, it's just that within a short stroll I'm transported back to the inner city streets of Paris again and that alone gives me such a rush. It's the feeling I like most here.

That shrinking feeling

Lots of construction and 'improvements' in the city at the present time. Ok, work needs to be done but I question some of the needs and whether the improvements are just that.

Take for instance the re-landscaping of the inner city squares.

This is Hindmarsh Square. This inner square has seen some dramatic changes, namely the construction of surrounding high-rise apartments as well as landscaping, -the latter being mostly the widening of the pedestrian footpath.

It could be argued that this is an improvement, providing better public walkways. But to me these vast aprons of grey concrete actually reduce the physical size of the square and in effect shrinks the size of the original green belt. More hard surfaces, additional water runoff and an reduction of oxygen providing foliage.

A footpath is just that, it's not meant to be a service lane.

Again, same argument. This is part of the beautification effort of Victoria Square completed within the last year. More concrete, less vegetation! It seems our city council has adopted this as a good solution. Sorry, but more concrete is not the solution. It's ugly, it diverts valuable soaking water into runoff and encroaches onto the square.

Take a close look at this photo. Shot at midday it is clearly vacuous of people, hardly an inviting space for nearby jaded office workers to relax. It appears more like a space for car-parking. Sure, there are pretty trees but you can't sit on concrete.

If this was to remain then I would seriously consider installing decent outdoor artworks and sculptures as well as good seating. Perhaps this would improve public interest and the functionality of the location as a 'my time' breathing space. PS, check out the groovy cafe 'Dragonfly' nearby.

Still relevant today

I just love this structure. Built in 1988, its contemporary design is still relevant today. It is timeless. This design captures the imagination. It really does articulate the message I'm trying express in this blog .

It is The Bicentennial Conservatory in The Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

Powerful yet graceful, it has appeal and interest from any angle. Sweeping curves, organic, sensual but also futuristic and bold.

I consider this design to be 'pure'.

Contemplate this structure situated at the end of Anzac Highway, the Holdfast Shores site (posting June 07). Hmmm... I might render this concept in Photoshop. Later.