I don’t get the whole New York theme that Myer’s boldly marketing to Melburnians these few weeks. Why yellow? When I first saw it, I couldn’t help but think JB Hi-Fi’s somehow associated with the whole branding thingo.

Not only did bleugh correctly guess the object,  but also gave an exact location and time. Great job! This photo by Adam Dimech was taken in December as bleugh pointed out, by the blue hanging Christmas lights on the top left. It’s amazing that something as simple as a bench can look like a piece of art .

Links:

Flickr: Radiant

Where Art Thou Week 12

Did people go for the Boxing day sale? Did anyone queue up for the big opening early in the morning, 6 am for Myer and 7am for David Jones? I didn’t.

Instead, I strolled into Myer in the city today around 7 pm. It was relatively quiet. There wasn’t any rush, and still plenty of items on sale. That is, if you are into shoes, clothes, manchester and handbags. (I will never understand why anyone need more than 1 pair of shoes and handbag … but to each his/her own.)

So, that’s my shopping done for the year.

This must be the coldest and wettest summer Melbourne is experiencing in a long while. I know it isn’t anything like a white Christmas, but it must be the nearest thing to a northern hemisphere-like festive period.

I’ve spent my last five nights in a jumper, trackies and socks with the heater turned on. My last three summers were best remembered for bathing in sunlight, walking around naked at home, having quick cold showers every so often and sitting in front of the fan.

How has the wet and cold weather affected your Christmas preparations? Moving the barbie indoors? Last minute shopping plans curtailed due to rain?

As for my partner and I, this Christmas will be remembered for scooping excess rain water out of our fish pond, mopping up a flooded bathroom (twice it has happened!) and running out to the backyard to collect our laundry.

OK, only a couple of days to go until Christmas. Know someone who always gets lost when driving? I don’t have to tell you how great GPS systems but the downside of GPS systems are that they don’t take into account traffic and construction conditions at the time of driving. Recently launched in Melbourne, the Suna Traffic Channel can relay real time information to your GPS system.

“Suna Traffic Channel data is generated by the information gathered at the sensors on the road networks on arterial roads and freeways. In Melbourne the base traffic data is from VicRoads and other sources. The most important source of raw traffic flow data is derived from the loop sensor network embedded in the road pavement on the approach to signalised intersections. Virtually all urban (and many regional) signalised intersections are networked to central traffic light control systems in each state. By agreement with the respective road authorities to value-add this data, we are able to develop and drive near real-time link-by-link congestion models.”

All of this information is then broadcast via an inaudible signal on MIX 101.1FM to your tuned in GPS system. Your GPS system can then guide you around any traffic. Very cool. Looks like Mio’s DigiWalker’s series will be able to utilize the Suna Traffic channel with its models starting at $450.

Suna Traffic Channel [via Lifehacker]
Video showing how Suna works

Picture via Lifehacker

Technorati Tags: Melbourne, Australia, Mio, Suna Traffic Channel, Suna, GPS

Since Darren has stated the obvious, I should say there will be more people visiting the city as well as all the surrounding shopping malls to do all their Christmas shopping. Most department stores are trading until late for most of this week and will start their 24 hour trading spree on the 2 days prior to Christmas.

The city, Chadstone and Highpoint are going to be crowded! Think about finding a carpark!

So, one tiny little bit of advice … lots and lots of patience. Patience to find a carpark, patience while paying for items, patience while waiting in line to view the Myer Christmas window display, patience while waiting to board a train, tram or bus while all around you are people rushing to get their shopping done.

A little over a week to Christmas, guys. Here are the happenings through the city ’til then:

Santa Post Box
ends 18 December ‘07
Hurry and address your mail to Santa (North Pole 9999), and drop them off the special post box at the City Square.

Carols in the Cathedral
19 December ‘07 - 20 December ‘07
The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir will be performing at St Paul’s Cathedral. Bookings required and tickets sell out fast. For bookings, call 9419 1582 or email tickets@rmp.org.au

Waterfront City Twilight Market
23 December ‘07
The last day to get youself some unique Australian-designed, Australian-made gifts at the twilight markets in the Docklands.

Federation Square Giant Advent Calendar
ends December 24 ‘07
A light show every evening at 9pm, with a finale performance at 11.45pm on 24 December. Also drop by for the festive carolling in and about the Square.

QV Christmas in the Square
ends 24 December ‘07, 8.30pm until 11pm daily
Help create a light show that involves you walking through the Square after dusk.

Brass on the Grass
24 December ‘07, 7.15pm
Brass ensemble playing Christmas music at the Podium level adjacent to the Southbank Retail Precinct (in front of St Johns Southgate).

Carols by Candlelight
24 December ‘07, 9pm
In the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, as the iconic event turns 70. Featuring contemporary and traditional performers. Bookings required and tickets generally cost under $80. Call 1300 136 166 or for more information visit www.theartscentre.net.au

Boxing Day Test Live Site at Federation Square
26 December ‘07 - 28 December ‘07
“The Australian summer tradition of cricket on the beach and in the backyard is coming to the city as Federation Square is transformed with picket fences, Hills Hoists, rubbish bin stumps and a 2.5 meter, 15 tonne sand sculpture during the 3 mobile Boxing Day Test Match in December.”

Crown’s Christmas Spectacular
ends 6 January ‘08, every half hour, 10am until midnight
Catch the circus carnival as it rolls down the Atrium at Crown with its cast of Santa and his reindeers, and various other antics.

3 more weeks to Christmas and I have yet to do any of my shopping. Hunting out gifts is not a matter of walking into a shop and picking up the first item that catches my fancy. I need to look, to feel, to consider, and of course, to hunt out the bargains.

Normally, I love my junk mail around this time of the year. Tons and tons of paper, wasted to the environmental cause, just to entice people to buy. Not this year. I have a new tool, Lasoo. I can search through catalogues from my area as well as search for items and do price comparisons. Now, isn’t that just handy for a lazy person like me?

Ever heard of the Green Santa? No, not a jealous Santa, but an environmentally friendly Santa.

According to their website, the Green Santa was created to promote environmental concerns over climate change and to urge people to consider the environment when purchasing Christmas gifts. The Green Santa is in Federation Square this week to promote his environmental causes. There will be children singing Christmas Carols on stage for the entire week.

So, check them out!

Gluttony, sex, and Santa take the stage across Melbourne this weekend.

Friday

Christmas Tree Lighting
Our non wooden tree gets lit.
City Square, 8PM
link

Saturday

Christmas Parade
As mentioned by Colin. A sweaty Santa Claus and an always beautiful J-Ha.
Bourke St. Mall, 11AM

Turkish Festival
Kebabs, music, and dancing in Fed Square.
Federation Square
link

Saturday-Sunday

Johnston Street Fiesta (My favourite Melbourne Festival!)
Lots of great food, music, dancing. Burritos, Spanish donuts, pastries, paella.
Johnston St, between Brunswick and Nicholson St, Fitzroy
link

Sexpo
Not much of a fan, as the show seems to appeal more to women seeking uh.um.. products. Belladonna to appear.
Melbourne Exhibition Centre
link

Egames Expo
Mentioned by Squirt. I’m sure there will be plenty of people checking out the Sexpo exhibition next door.
Melbourne Exhibition Centre
link

Sunday

Polish Festival
For fans of sausage and vodka.
Federation Square
link Post from last year

Wish they would spread out the festivals and events a bit more but oh well.

Technorati Tags: Melbourne, Australia, Fitzroy, Johnston Street, Johnston Street Fiesta, Sexpo, Egames Expo, Turkish Festival, Federation Square