A Book Of What May Have Been

I’ve stopped reading. Don’t know how or why but for the past few months I’ve read nothing but computer magazines and reference books. I still have the pile of books by the bed, and they come in mighty handy for blocking out the search light that doubles as my bed side clock. I half heartedly started Ressurection Men again but can feel that is going to have to wait a little longer.

Today I marched on down to Books In Print (who still don’t have a web site) determined to buy Stupid White Men when another book caught my eye.
Banvard’s Folly: Thirteen Tales of Renowned Obscurity, Famous Anonymity, and Rotten Luck
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I’ve always loved reading about the past but the history that intrigues me most is the past that never was. I’ve always wanted to write a book about the grand projects and ideas for Melbourne that never made it; the airport that would have sat where Port Melbourne now is, the history of proposals for the Federation Square site, Grollo’s plan for the world’s largest building at Docklands. The how, why and who of what lead to their demise fascinates me, as does pondering what shape this city may have taken had they gone ahead.

So let’s see how we go with this book. It may inspire me to read again and then start some research. Maybe.

We Should Have Thought Of That 55 Years Ago

Coming back from my lunchtime stroll I overheard a husband explaining to his wife that they can’t park where they had because it’s a resident’s permit zone.

Wife – “Well that’s a stupid place to put a hospital then if you can’t park here.”

The Clock On The Silo

If there’s one song that is so Melbourne it makes me home sick even when I’m at home it would be Leaps and Bounds by Paul Kelly. It has a line “The clock on the silo says 11 degrees” and many is the time I’ve had to call somebody as I drove past, or was on the train to the G just to say “the clock on the silo says 11 degrees”. Sadly The Age reports that the silos are coming down to be replaced by an office block.

Thankfully the sign is protected and it will be placed atop the new building but I wonder what my kids will think in years to come as we go by and dad mutters under his breath “the clock on the silos….”

Blake’s 7

The LiberatorI just discovered that UK TV on Foxtel are broadcasting Blake’s 7 at midnight on Tuesday’s and Thursdays. This is a slice of late 70’s Sci Fi heaven and it’s also the only thing my office mate and I have in common. Now he’s spitting the dummy ’cause he’s too tight to get cable. I’m just giving a little Avon-like grin.

If only they’d play it at 7.30 on a Friday night over summer like the ABC did when I was a lad, then it would perfect.