Brisbane Articles
October 18, 2005
Brisbane – dead boring or just plain dead?
Poor Brissie is back where some say it belongs - as the butt of a joke. A recent book declared the city to be simultaneously boring and dangerous. The tongue-in-cheek book has some tourism officials once again defending against the boring moniker. I gotta be honest - I tend to agree with the book. Brisbane – dead boring or just plain dead?
July 06, 2005
State of Origin III - Second Half
NSW score. 24-0.
Early pressure from QLD came to naught and once again NSW go down the other end of the field and Andrew Johns pulls a few strings and the Blues score. Can't see QLD coming back from here. They just haven't shown anything that makes me think they can score.
NSW score. 28-0.
Sloppy play by QLD backs leads toa dropped ball, picked up by NSW and run back for a try in the corner. This is turning into a slaughter and it's not pretty. The only thing worse than watching this train wreck is having it commentated by Gus Gould, the smarmiest, smuggest NSW ex-coach that no one likes.
Continue reading... | by Chris | #
State of Origin III - Game Time
QLD nearly turned attack into tragedy with a dodgy kick by Lockyer run back by Minichello for an almost certain score. A great tackle by Matty Bowen to save a...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
The Decider
Let the war begin! Game just kicked off in the third and deciding State of Origin game of rugby league. Queensland has started well putting real pressure on the NSW...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Christmas cheer without the beer
No alcohol will be allowed during the annual backpacker Christmas Day party on Australia's Bondi Beach, which attracts 40,000 people, after hundreds of often drunken revelers had to be rescued...Continue reading... | by Court | #
So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Boo Hoo...
Well, Chrisso, today's the day... and dammit if you didn't let us have a Sound of Music farewell party [though the clowns surely sufficed?!], at least I deserve to paraphrase......Continue reading... | by Ging | # | Comments (7)
Too Much Stuff
I'm leaving the country in less than 24 hours and I've come to the realization that I have too much stuff. When I returned from the US just over a...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Pipe Dreams
Awhile ago, Sean suggested that I left a present in the pipes of the BnA office. Well, I think I've outdone myself here at BnA Oz... Great big hole Watch...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (7)
Extreme Sunday
Sunday was a perfect way to end a fairly quiet weekend. It started off with breakfast at the very civilised hour of 10am at Pandemonium Café in the very trendy...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (10)
Touch Footy Grand Final
After two solid days of rain, the powers that be decided that our touch footy grand final would go ahead as planned. Driving out there I was alternately struggling to...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (3)
Brisbane River Festival 2004
If you're wandering down by the Brisbane River this Sunday afternoon towards West End you'll no doubt see the more than 20,000 rubber duckies battling it out for victory as...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
Heavy Rain
The weather report earlier in the week suggested we might get some scattered showers developing today. What actually happened was that we got absolutely dumped on during the early hours...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
Fun Run ain't so fun
Yesterday was the Bridge to Brisbane fun run for Paul, Ging and I, although as EB suggested, it wasn't all fun. The 4.25km race we had signed up for started...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (5)
Bridge to Brisbane
On Sunday morning I will be joining thousands of other people jamming one lane of Brisbane's Gateway Bridge as we make our way to New Farm Park. No, it's not...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (6)
Just call me Blofeld
Feeling very James Bond villain at the moment. Here's why Edited: 27-7-04 And this is the photo Ging is referring to...not for cat lovers. The Brazilian...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (5)
Domestic Duties
Spent a very quiet weekend taking care of a few things that I'd neglected over the past couple of months' worth of weekends....Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (5)
Tibetan Kitchen
Not knowing much about Tibetan and Nepalese cuisine, I was pleasantly surprised by my visit to the Tibetan Kitchen in Fortitude Valley last night. I don't really know what I...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Lawn Bowls by the Brisbane River
If you're looking for something to do that's a little different, but still plenty of fun, I can highly recommend an afternoon of Lawn Bowls at the Merthyr Bowls Club...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (9)
Look, up in the sky!
Did anyone else in the Brisbane region see a fireball streaking across the sky during the early hours (we're talking 5-ish) of Sunday morning? I won't go into the details...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (8)
Brisbane, Queensland
Brissie is a capital that enjoys its location. Directly above the rockin Gold Coast, and below the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, the city is a popular host for...Continue reading... | by Court | #
Touch Footy Champs
Last night was the grand final of the mixed touch footy competition I've been playing in to keep myself fit. My team, "Touch Us If You Can", is a team...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
The Belgian Beer Café ~ Brussels
Belgium is famous for a few things, chocolate and strong beer being the two most relevant to me. My parents had told me about this Belgian beer cafe in downtown...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Another 'credit' to Brisbane's al fresco lifestyle
Movies on a boat on the Brisbane River! There's some good lookin' films on the menu too! Cine Ging...Continue reading... | by Ging | # | Comments (6)
Brisbane Weather
Two weeks ago, it was the hottest day in February ever. Today, we're getting a Severe Weather Warning with a chance of a cyclone developing. I can already hear the...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
The Chill Bar - Brisbane
With temperatures in Brisbane supposed to hit 38° Celcius (100°F) by Friday, folks are looking for ways to beat the heat. As my train was leaving Roma Street station the...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Food Markets at New Farm Park, Brisbane
5:20 seems awful early to be getting up on a Saturday morning (how long since I've been a paperboy?), but that's what I did to go to the food markets...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Boost to Queensland Tourism
Qantas to fly non-stop between Brisbane, Los Angeles This will be a great benefit for QLD tourism if Qantas can keep the price down and maybe a few more backpackers...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
More ISP Shenanigans
After the last problem I had with Telstra's provision of BigPond cable internet access, things have been pretty good. Today though, I woke up and there was no juice. No...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Day Trip to Redcliffe
I've been meaning to get to the coast for ages now, since I got back to Brisbane in July, but haven't quite managed it yet. Even though my favoured Sunshine...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Storm Damage
Last week (Friday, I think) a big storm ripped through Brisbane and SE Queensland. One blocks of flats in New Farm had the roof peeled off like a can of...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Stormfront coming
There is some major thunder and lightning going on right now. Thunder rolls lasting for more than 30 seconds at a time. Really, really cool. As I've typed this the...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
My Thai Restaurant and Original BootBoy
After the excitement of water-skiing, it was back to the house to clean up and get ready for a quiet night out of dinner, a few drinks and some pool...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (6)
Water-skiing on the Brisbane River
Seeing as though it was Sean's last day in Oz, we weren't about to sit on our bums and just watch the cricket. Shaking off the couple of beers at...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (3)
24
This summer's hottest new show follows Sean Keener in his last 24 hours in Australia. Can our hero complete his mission before time runs out? Will he suffer withdrawals of...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (3)
BootsnAll Meeting in Brisbane
It was long overdue, but we finally had a BootsnAll Brisbane meeting that was planned more than a day in advance. As a result, we got a good turn out...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
BootsnAll Brisbane gathering
We're a bit better organized this time. We are planning a litte BootsnAll get-together this Thursday, January 15th in the city. No need to RSVP, just show up if you...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (6)
Blogging on the Queen Street Mall in Brisbane
Chris and I had a few errands to run this morning so we came down to the Queen Street Mall for Breakkie. Free Wireless Internet Access is available on the...Continue reading... | by Sean | # | Comments (5)
The Royal Exchange (RE) pub Brisbane
This after I took a stroll up the hill from Taringa towards Toowong....Continue reading... | by | #
New Years Day in Brisbane
Yes its 2004 and we're all conscious....Continue reading... | by | #
Brisbane as a backpackers location
Brisbane, often refered to as a �big country town� 10 years ago has been developing and I like the changes....Continue reading... | by | # | Comments (7)
Fantastic Find
Omigod I had the best meal in my life last night and I have to plug this place. It's only been open 4 weeks and will surely gain momentum, but...Continue reading... | by Ging | # | Comments (3)
Last Minute Stuff
Coming down to the wire somewhat before I leave Brisbane for a couple of days in Melbourne and then a full two weeks in Bali. I have a full to-do...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (3)
West End Street Festival 2003
I'd never heard of this annual event before, but it's been charkling along for at least 18 years. So big thanks to Ging for making me aware of it and...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
Casualties of War
It was a great night to be an Australian, as the Wallabies suffocated the All Blacks in an against-the-odds semi-final win in the Rugby World Cup. In the aftermath in...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (6)
Sunset Cinema
Went to a screening of Gettin' Square tonight at the Sunset Cinema in the City Botantical Gardens. This Aussie movie has won a few domestic awards recently and I was...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (6)
Blast from the Past
On the way home from the gym today I stopped off at a corner store to pick up some milk. I used to go to this corner store almost every...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (7)
Thunderstorms
I must admit I love a good thunderstorm. I remember as a kid going down to the local school oval in the pouring rain for a game of "slushy football"....Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
Brisbane crooks are stupid
Anyone who is worried about crime in this city can take heart from the fact that there is evidence the violent criminals are incredibly stupid. Student bashing another mistaken identity...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
Rugby Festival
Went to the Rugby World Cup over the weekend and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Even though I was as far back as you can possibly be, the view was still...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
Meeting Swagman
George Dunn, of Swagman fame, was in Brisbane for a couple of days and we'd made arrangements to watch the Fiji v. USA rugby world cup match. Unfortunately, those plans...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Lovin' the Internet
I was just sitting at my desk here in Brisbane and I received a phone call from Sean Keener in Chicago. He and Jen Leo are wandering the streets, lost....Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (6)
After the Show
After having a good laugh at Chicks Love It, Ging and decided that a few more drinks were in order. We were also meeting a friend of hers, Irish Pedro,...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Chicks Love It
I was reading through the paper today while eating lunch, just scanning headlines and dipping in where something caught my eye. I glanced at a photo in the arts section...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (4)
Wildlife Encounters
Australia has something of a reputation for wildlife. It's either cute and cuddly or it'll kill ya. Sometimes both. When I was living in the States people would sometimes ask...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
Short Film Festival
Browsing through the weekly free news-mag the Brisbane News, I came across a film festival at the University of Queensland's Schonell Cinema. It's called 50 Minutes from Home and over...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
AFL Grand Final Day
It's a big day for the city of Brisbane. The Brisbane Lions take on the Collingwood Magpies for a third straight premiership win - a feat not accomplished in 46...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Mmmm, beer...
What better way to kick off the weekend than at a Brisbane institution – the now 14th National Festival of Beers. While it could arguably be considered just another excuse...Continue reading... | by Ging | # | Comments (5)
Beer Festival
Now those are words that I love to hear. Spending a few years in the microbrewery capital of the USA, Oregon, I've developed a taste for beer that Aussie macros...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (5)
Mobile Office
For the second straight day, Telstra has shown its incompetence. There has been no internet juice flowing to my modem from their cable for over 36 hours. I was on...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (5)
Like a drowned cat
I had written a more interesting post and included some photos, but due to a shoddy connection lost it all. So now you get the Trim-Fast version. Sean came to...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (6)
Back in BrisVegas
Back home again after a short trip to Thailand. Going on about 24 hours without sleep so hallucinations may shortly follow. Have to give a big thumbs up to Singapore...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (6)
Just call me d'Queen of Freebies...
From about 4.30pm Friday until 8pm Sunday, I was ensconced [?!] in a veritable feast of freebies! I began w, while not free, fabulously subsidised by my wk social club,...Continue reading... | by Ging | # | Comments (2)
Down With Love indeed!
At the risk of getting all Molly Meldrum on myself, [whose catchphrase is] 'do yerself a favour', and check out Down With Love! Granted, it completely reflects my bitter headspace...Continue reading... | by Ging | #
Calling all writers
The Brisbane Writers Festival kicks off in October in South Bank and they're looking for volunteers to help out. They need ushers, stage managers, and "Green Room buddies". I don't...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
Ohdeargodinheaven
…was the first thing I semi-uttered, semi-groaned at about 6 o’clock when ‘the chocolate brown alarm clock’ [me doggit] jumped on my head [as he does] on Sunday, er, [yes,...Continue reading... | by Ging | # | Comments (3)
Ekka Institutions
The first thing that hits you when you step off the train at Exhibition station and pass through the gates of the RNA showground is the smell of cow dung....Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (6)
Brisbane Powerhouse
I've been meaning to post about and visit the Brisbane Powerhouse for some time and never got around to it. Well, I still haven't visited it, but at least I...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (6)
The Cow Whisperer
This morning I went out to Dayboro, a "suburb" on the outskirts of Brisbane to help herd some cows. While I don't want to perpetuate the idea that Brisbane is...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (10)
The Ekka!
The first weekend of the Ekka has passed and they're reporting good crowds at the show. I imagine there were a bunch of hyperactive kids at school today, running around...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
Festival City
August is certainly the month in BrisVegas to festival hop. The film festival is still going strong and crowds have been big for most shows. Also this month is the...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (8)
Aussie Homebrew, Part II
Got a phone call from my brother last night. He'd cracked open the first of the bottles of homebrew we'd slapped together a couple of weeks ago. His report? Nice...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
Suncorp Stadium
I was deciding what to do with my Saturday evening when my next door neighbour called and asked if I would like tickets to the Broncos v. Manly rugby league...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (5)
Valley Fiesta 2003
From having been totally unaware of this music festival going on this weekend, I've since read all about it in the paper and had two different friends suggest going along...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Brisbane International Film Festival
The 2003 BIFF kicks off next week, July 29-Aug 10. It's the 12th year of the event and looks like it has quite a following. I spent some time last...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Ladies Day at the Rugby
An invitation to attend a Ladies Day seemed like a good idea. $40 included drinks and food, and funds raised went to support the Leukemia Foundation. I was expecting an...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Aussie HomeBrew
Last week I helped my brother brew up a batch of homebrew. I figured the brews I'd helped Sean with in Oregon might offer some experience in the matter. How...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (5)
Jeanette Bergman
This evening I became the third BootBoy to meet Jeanette Bergman in person. We've known her for years via BootsnAll, but her first attmept to come visit us in the...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (2)
BootsnAll Australia
For anyone interested in a sneaky peek at the office of BootsnAll Australia, I took a couple of photos the other day: The desk The set-up...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (7)
Almost Famous, Part III
On Sunday afternoon I ventured out with my friend who had emailed me about the Lebanese kebab shop that has a photo of me up on the wall. It had...Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (5)
Meeting Maree
Last night I met with Maree, one of our QLD Insiders at a buzzing neighbourhood in Rosalie. Lots of cafes, restaurants and ice creameries all crammed into about 2 blocks,...Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Jazz & Blues Fest
Anyone out for some good music for an even better cause should check out the Jazz & Blues Festival this weekend: Jazz and Blues Festival 2003 Should be fun....Continue reading... | by Chris | #
Almost Famous
I received an email from an old Brisbane friend that I first met in England. She had some intriguing news for me......Continue reading... | by Chris | # | Comments (1)
