TRAVEL DIARY

A weblog regularly updated by Jodi Rose.

  

VIEWING ALL POSTS FOR: DECEMBER 2005

Saturday, December 31, 2005

6:26 PM
Posted by jodi rose

Boldog Uj Evet!
Szczesliwego Nowego Roku!
Onnellista uutta vuotta!

... and a happy new year to you!

Started the day snowed in at Szalka, with Mary and her family, eating first, second and third lunch and watching dvd's. The bus didn't run yesterday afternoon, luckily I had somewhere warm and friendly to stay, heard that some people coming home from Sturovo walked the 16km in the snow. Had a lovely time getting to know her family, who are gorgeous, brother and father obsessed with fishing, mother very curious about different customs in australia - and mary had plenty of practice translating for us. watched a hungarian girls adventure movie, then 'not another teen movie'; shrek, and today johnny depp in secret window.

Got home in time for the first round of new years eve celebrations, with phone calls to the party house in camperdown - talked with garry, helen, julaine and simon; then eileesh and michael's 'outer space' party in preston with some fab star trek costumers going down, and finally
chatted to philippa at lindy's flat in st kilda, after the fireworks. A truly international start to the new year, also skyped with andrew in karosta, latvia and the girl in the lavazza cafe told me she had seen the sydney fireworks display - it had a heart beating on the bridge - aaaaah sweet.

Now time to pack the champagne and head off to andrea and robert's and celebrate silvester, hungarian/slovak style. Make your wishlist for the new year extra carefully as it's also a new moon - and don't forget to include world peace!!!

lots of love and thanks to all for sharing their adventures with me!
xx

Thursday, December 29, 2005

5:24 PM
Posted by jodi rose

Another day of crisp and slushy mixed, the bridge sparkles in afternoon sun, delicately tinted clouds hang suspended in the blue.

While back down on earth, my decision to become more involved has been instantly rewarded with a lovely day of visits, talking and laughter. Have something approaching a social life here - met three friends in succession, and various acquaintances on the streets and in cafes. drank a couple of shots of fernet with my favourite bartender - completely decadent in the middle of the day - baked banana bread and shared secrets with my favourite teenager, and then wandered through the main street with my favourite music teacher.

Had a second, late xmas with three packages arriving - the final book from mum, which was actually my request - 'friends, lovers, chocolate' - yes indeed! And sandra arrived from kirsty - yay, thank you! adding to my collection from bratislava and audrey, then a fantastic set of australian animal laser stickers with aboriginal designs and kitsch pens from lisa, so I don't forget where home is. Rang Sole for her birthday - Happy Birthday darling!!! xxxxxx good to hear a much loved voice.

Even managed to read some of Magris' erudite tome on the Danube,
which provided some philosophical comfort: 'To acquire a new identity does not mean betraying the first one, but enriching one's self with a new soul. Identity is a quest that is always open.'

And later, talking of Heidegger who was born and grew up in a town on the banks of the Danube, and despite his unfortunate fascist tendencies is still one of my favourite philosophers:

'Heidegger was perfectly well aware of the worldwide process threatening to uproot every individual from his own world and his fundamental ties.... He knew very well that to start out towards truth and love it is necessary to tear up our roots, to leave home far behind, to free ourselves from every immediate link connected with our origins'.

After writing yesterday about the choices available here, I was reminded that although there is a certain level of material and cultural privilege attached to a western democratic upbringing; this background definitely lacks a strong sense of identity and connection - there is something about the way that family and community are really valued here, beyond the lipservice paid to family values by conservative governments - many people don't wish to move far away from their home village and roots. A strong sense of identity and knowledge of your place in the world, are things that may be lacking in places with greater mobility and more options - the 'carnival of artifice' takes the place of genuine connection and sense of self. the inessential has become second nature - or am I romanticising again?

Anyway, to end on a quote from Heidegger, in 'contradicting the cult of putting down roots' (and the great australian/american dream) 'he taught us that "displacement is a fundamental way of being-in-the-world", that without loss and disorientation, without wandering along paths that peter out in the woods, there is no call, there is no possibility of hearing the authentic word of being'.

... or perhaps, the secret voice of bridges!!

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

11:13 PM
Posted by jodi rose

'I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.... Intense love does not measure, it just gives... If you judge people, you have no time to love them.'
words of wisdom from Mother Teresa via
Jonathan Cainer.

Yes, am still musing on love in all its forms. unconditional, unrequited, unexpected, spiritual, ephemeral, visceral, familial.... however you feel it is worth appreciating and giving.

This taking time off art business is strange, my daily activities haven't changed much, I just feel marginally less guilty about them. Walk to the bridge every morning, yesterday squeaking on crisp snow, admiring the drifts piled up on the inside of the green girders; today trudging through slush and a light drizzle to watch the river and muse on 'going with the flow'.

Something that is particularly necessary for me to remember in this location, according to the astro cartography travel map which warns:

"This could be a critical place for you. In this place, you may find it easier to reach your goals, if you go with the flow of the circumstances rather than fighting them. But if you get the feeling of fighting a futile battle, you may resort to alcohol or drugs for relief. To look after your health, you should ensure a high nutritional food inake, sufficient sleep and regular periods of rest. It is difficult here to follow a focussed path in life. Instead, let yourself be lead by whatever happens. Trust that you will arrive in the right place in the end."

Oh dear, relief at the pub and insomnia both settling in, although have found that having the radio on helps me get to sleep and didn't visit the pub today. The irony is that I don't usually like pubs that much, it's an indication of my dire need for company and diversion. Philippa suggests tweaking my cake/beer ratio to 2 cakes and 3 beers instead of 3 cakes and 2 beers, but if the pink floyd man starts looking attractive, cut back on the beer... Am not really an alcoholic, really!

Decided that becoming more emotionally involved was probably the best solution to sense of alienation, rather than immersing myself in novels and films on dvd. Called Mary and Andrea today, instantly improved both mood and sense of engagement with life, catching up tomorrow for lunch and trip to Esztergom.

Resisting the increased awareness of having an audience due to recent events - and also having just gone public with the blog info to a few people in sturovo, who will know most of the people I mention - trying not to be self-conscious, have in fact become far more revelatory and personal than previously. Ah, what the hell it's a passing moment in a passing life, not really of much consequence.

An indicator of how much I need to get back into regular writing - quote from Pissarro courtesy of the lovely katherine:

"Work is a wonderful regulator of moral and physical health. All the sadness, all the bitterness, all the grief - I forget. I overlook them in the joy of working. Suffering only has a hold over the lazy."

Right, well that's it for me, no more lounging around!

Although, am learning more about the town with a few of my regular conversation partners, and slowly making sense of the history and how it still affects people now. Like no private businesses, forbidden to attend church (but only for the 'cream of society' - the workers were still able to believe as they wished - some people are always more equal than others), or talk freely, there being only one type available of most goods (car, sausage, bread...), only being allowed to cross the border to Hungary twice a year, being searched for illicit goods like sugar or chocolate - am gaining a cumulative sense of the choices available now and the kind of life that is possible. Still hard for many people to earn enough money to gain the kind of choices which I take for granted. Gyuri and Tommi were teasing me in the pub yesterday, saying terry came for 3 months from england, and he's still here eleven years later. Noooooooo get me out! Ok, I could adapt if it was absolutely necessary, but starting to plan escape fantasies. Also learnt that the Bratislava accent in Slovak is equivalent to cockney english.

Monday, December 26, 2005

10:32 PM
Posted by jodi rose

In spite of my usual bah humbug attitude to the ocassion found that I was missing friends and family, but ended up having a lovely Xmas.

Invited to dinner Xmas Eve and lunch with Andrea and Robert's family, who are gorgeous, funny and welcoming, very traditional Hungarian family affair. We ate fish soup, crumbed fish (caught from the Danube) with mashed potatoes and home-made beigli, with homemade wine (300 litres to get through, am thinking of an export business!) and apricot brandy. Then watched harry potter in Hungarian with 10 year Andor, and went to midnight mass in the local church. Beautiful ceremony, loved the chanting and songs.

Walking home I passed the Lavazza cafe, which surprisingly was open, and although happy to go straight to bed, I decided that this act of subversion needed supporting (every single other business is closed xmas eve and day - it's very, very traditional here still). It was like Gabriel's private club, playing rap/hip-hop and chatting to friends who came in needing a break from their family. Talked with him and Roland about their work experiences - they met at the chocolate factory - he drove Slovak freight trains for ten years, mostly timber and paper but also carried soldiers during the war in Bosnia - now apparently the railway is going bankrupt and about to be sold off for a song. More about the differences between life now and then, and changes in town.

Xmas Day returned to the family for lunch, lounging around and continuing reasons from Andrea and Robert on why I should stay.

Later Gyuri and Sofie took me to a concert by a famous organist in Szalka, a nearby town, which was an experience but I didn't enjoy it much. The high notes really shrieked, low tones made the chandeliers rattle, it was freezing cold, he talked for ages between each song and the playing was ott melodramatic. So we had a quick wander down to the rather fabulous socialist realist pub, then back to Sturovo.

Today I've been reading, walking and floating around, having a holiday from trying to make art or do anything useful or cultural. Although a bit bored by it now, Tuesday it's back to the writing and composing.

I have moments of thinking, I love it here, the people are so friendly and sweet, I could live in this town - and other times climbing out of my skin with boredom after staring at my computer screen all day. Just went to the pub for an hour, to read with other human bodies around me, when Zoli asked how I was, replied 'homesick'.
'Don't be', he said 'imagine this is your home'. I'm trying.

Am enjoying a much simpler, quieter daily life than I have in a long time. There's something very soothing about being in a small town, I think it's to do with the lack of decisions, far fewer options to conisder about where to go in the evening. Freedom from choice.

Friday, December 23, 2005

1:08 PM
Posted by jodi rose

I'm having an early Christmas.
Absolutely lovely morning, sun, snow, listening to Placido Domingo on Slovak Radio, and my mum's first two parcels arrived.

Am no good at delayed gratification, so had to open them NOW!

Wonderful selection of classic movies on dvd - Rain, Charade, The Fast and the Furious, My Favourite Brunette, The Last time I saw Paris - Elizabeth Taylor, Dorothy Lamour, James Stewart ahh the glamour!
Second package contained Alexander McCall Smith's 44 Scotland St, which was a request - but I'm all in favour of getting what you want :)

Apropos of which, my very gorgeous 18 year old friend told me, 'Don't worry we will find you a better one. He doesn't know what he misses.' Damn Straight. Ah the mysteries of men. These mixed messages drive me insane - all friendly and flirty one week, stroking my cheek and making risque jokes; the next pretending he doesn't speak english and ignoring me. Timing, attitude? I just never seem to get it right.

Still, it's led to an excellent rapport with all the bartenders, so I know there is someone to talk to whenever I go insane staring at the walls.

Meeting Audrey and her sister at 3pm in the Vadas baths, hopefully will soak away some of this pain in my neck!

Beaming rays of love and peace and goodwill and joy to you all
xxxx jodi

Thursday, December 22, 2005

11:48 PM
Posted by jodi rose

...'please be gentle I'm still learning'

have developed a strange addiction to robbie williams
something very soothing about the texure of his voice and melodies

For those of you who have been following my somewhat obscure potential romance, here's an update.

Invited the boy in question out for coffee - he told me,
'You're very nice, but I have no free time until the end of January.'

Well there you go. So much for small town life being relaxing.
Apparently I have a crush on the busiest man in Sturovo ;)

A few people have advised me to be aloof or mysterious - but it really doesn't work for me. Ever. Too much enthusiasm and joi de vivre.
Ah well, I guess my brief is to keep the bridges singing and dancing and who knows what will come into my life. They say good things come to those who wait. And the bartenders said; see you tomorrow.

Invited to a famous accordionist concert in a small village on xmas day, and lunch with andrea and her family. Now just need to sort out xmas eve.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

6:00 PM
Posted by jodi rose

the day started well if a little sleepy but took a quick downhill turn when I narrowly avoided colliding with a lampost (not a magic one either!) and then slipped on the ice and came off my bicycle with a twist and thud.
Enjoyed a lovely morning baking and gossiping with Andrea - building those bridges here - who offered me cake to start with, then bean soup, pasta and finally the hungarian speciality, tea with rum. Delicious. Brought home some of the bishops bread aka spice cake we made.
Then the pain kicked in with delayed muscle response now ache all over.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

5:54 PM
Posted by jodi rose

am slightly abashed to admit my first sentence learnt in hungarian is nothing so poetic or philosophical as 'it's a good world/life', no it's
hi, please can I have a good small beer. thank you.
oh dear.
and I only know it phonetically so am not going to embarass myself any further by trying to write it down.

here are some other interesting phrases, which I'm sure will come in useful when I need a palindrome or onomatopoeic phrase.

from the excellent magyarora, new paths to the hungarian language

Palindrómák
A mondatokat jobbról is, balról is lehet olvasni!
1. Kék a Kék.
2. Géza, kék az ég.
3. Goromba rab morog.
4. Indul a görög aludni.
5. Indul a pap aludni.
6. Néma mén.
7. Kelemen nem Elek.
8. Csak a mama makacs.
9. Ön Teréza, az érett nő.
10. Ön Barbara, arab rabnő.
11. Rút, dagadt úr.
12. Szárad a darázs.
13. Ráz a zár!
14. Apáca! Lenyel a cápa.
15. Indul a kutya s a tyúk aludni.
16. Ah, tán nátha?
Birtokos eset (possessive structures)
17. Életem Etelé.
18. Évák eledele kávé.
Tárgyeset (accusative)
19. Kereket tekerek.
20. Keresik a tavat a kis erek.
Felszólító mód (imperative)
21. Meg ne lássál engem!
Hosszú mondatok ☺
22. Rám német nem lel, elmentem én már.
23. Kis erek mentén, láp sík ölén, oda van a bánya rabja, jaj, Baranyában a vadon élő Kis
Pálnét nem keresik.

Forrás: Neszt Tibor: Palindrómák

Hangutánzó, hangfestő szavak kiejtés
Kis Dénes: Gyárlátogatás

Csitteg-csattog,
Pitteg-pattog,
Dibben-dobban,
Kippen-koppan,
Rippen-roppan,
Ez a gyár,
hol sok a gép.

© Bencze Rozál

...and this from the ever-fabulous philippa - bon voyage and give my love to all in melbourne and flinders!

Phrase Phonetic Written

How old are you? ern haany eh-vesh? On hany eves?
I'm single hah-yah-don vah-djok Hajadon vagyok
Are you married? noers? Nos?
Enough! e-lehgh! Eleg!
More terbb tobb

Thursday, December 22, 2005

3:08 AM
Posted by jodi rose

hello,
yes it really is 3am.
stayed up until 1.30 making my glasgow proposal look pretty
now overexhausted and can't wind down
getting up early for morning baking with andrea
must remember to record the event, and start interviewing people
before I know it will be time to leave and am just getting started here
people keep asking - so, what exactly do you DO all day?
and how do you guard a bridge?
I don't know, am going to have to get cards printed and just say you can read all about it on my [award winning!] blog.
thank you very much.
and goodnight.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

8:17 PM
Posted by jodi rose

bridge watch
nothing to report
this morning all quiet, no unsual activity
this evening a fire engine left the bridge
but no smoke no fire no flames

met mary for a drink at 5pm
it's now 8 and my new friends have gone home
took up smoking too but only a minipack
so will be quitting again soon
invitations to visit two villages next week
and exploring the christmas lunch hungarian style
told it's a sedate affair, no drunkenness or misbehaviour
guess have to save that for silvester.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

12:27 AM
Posted by jodi rose

quick bridge report

yesterday morning a cacophony of cat pawprints in the snow, intimating some kind of late night feline secret meeting. Accompanied at one point by feet 4x larger - predator or friend? the clues are there, if you can only decipher them.

another woman carrying shopping bags walked under the bridge.
an empty blue barge coming from the direction of budapest glided past.

today, more snow. handfuls of it dropping from trees with a thud, and splash into the water off the bridge. melting drips along the pipes underneath. a woman shovelling snow from the path.

some nights the traffic is banked up until mid-way of the third arch.
the snow adds a layer of reflective white to the green curves.
today I thought fog may have swallowed the bridge but it was clear.

something about secrets. listening to radio free europe. moving borders. singing rivers. sonic intervention through the town speakers.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

11:28 PM
Posted by jodi rose

Happy Solstice!
winter or summer depending on your inclination

The town unveiled a christmas tree decorating competition on the weekend, favourites are the apples and breadsticks; snowmen made of crepe paper; and one entirely decorated in tiny disco balls. I bought four of them for my own tree - blue baubles with silver snowflakes, glittery blue and silver teardrops, huge blue star on top and wrapped with silver stars on a string. Not sure who won the best tree prize.

Snow quilting the neighbourhood this morning, although more a layer of slush now - hopefully there will be more before Sunday. First white christmas ever. Find myself singing along with the carols being piped out of huge speakers in the main square - even the panpipe versions.

Insomnia has me hooked in a late mornings, even later nights cycle which is getting me down, along with homesickness and regular end of year burn-out. Tried to get to bed early last night, then woke up and accidentally read all of zoé by dirk witternborn in one go. Was only meant to put me to sleep - but found the unfolding story of passion, the need to be needed, and the hollow clamour of success and celebrity fascinating. It's funny how glamorous and exciting a life can look from a distance, while to the person inside, nothing feels real. Really need happy endings just now.

back to Rilke, and what survives.
(courtesy of Gail)

What Survives
Who says that all must vanish?
Who knows, perhaps the flight
of the bird you wound remains,
and perhaps flowers survive
caresses in us, in their ground.

It isn't the gesture that lasts,
but it dresses you again in gold
armor - from breast to knees -
and the battle was so pure
an Angel wears it after you.

Translated by A. Poulin

Saturday, December 17, 2005

11:32 PM
Posted by jodi rose

So, tonight in the interests of journalistic fairness and objectivity, I have done a comprehensive survey of the nightlife in Sturovo. Just remember I am a gonzo cultural journalist, and completely subjective.

Started with the Ghymes concert at the Kulturhaz - excellent musicians, contemporary folk/pop all based on traditional hungarian folksongs, and I can't get enough of those men in furry hats with off-the shoulder sheepskin vests and knee-high boots - more footstomping passion and waving sticks in the air.

This finished at 8pm, and my friends andrea and robert went home,
so they dropped me back at the green pub, where danny and ursula sat propping up the bar, told me jokes and invited me to come to the argus with them to meet up with some friends. I've been hearing about the argus - it's 'the other' pub - and was keen to explore more options.
definitely where the kids hang out, much edgier scene, more tracksuits and hoodies, and hiphop instead of hard rock on the jukebox.
although incongrously, everyone sang along to 'raindrops keep falling on my head' straight after snoop dog and the beasties boys - wish I'd been recording that. The uni kids back from brat for the weekend hang here, you can play dart, and foozball; drink heavily and cheaply.

I hear more stories about the communist times, how 'dope' was legal because it was grown for hemp production, but no-one knew you could smoke it. Someone's mum found a joint in their pocket while doing the family washing, and decided to try it for herself. Respect.

Staying up late too many nights already, I head home early - but on the way drop in to the 'steel bridge disco' just to see what it's like.
Almost empty, some lasers on the dance floor but no-one shakin' it,
booths and kids and a techno remake of an early madonna song - can't tell which one - not really my scene, but maybe with a posse after 3am when the hiphop comes on. we'll see.

Wander past the Cafe Hollywood which intrigues me with some live drumming - odd combo of rhythm and keyboards, good atmosphere, a more sophisticated crowd and decor, backlit bar and funky couches.
Am now in need of pizza and they don't do take away, so I make my last stop for the evening at the pension restaurant which features a silver mercedes convertible as one of the tables, and buy a decent vegetarian health pizza. No really, it comes with carrots, corn, peas, mushroom, brocooli, potato... almost gourmet.

Come home and am enchanted by the snow in my courtyard, wander up to the various farm implements and try to make them work. Then worry that the museum director will know it's me from the footprints, as no-one else is in here on the weekend. Reminds me of a story a friend told me about his time in the Finnish army, when he had to sneak out one night for this illegal forest rave which he had organised, and coming back realised that the deep footprints in the snow leading up to the backdoor of the barracks were a dead giveaway. Luckily it rained or snowed again and washed them away or filled them in.

Now it's time to get back to the trashy dvd I had to leave earlier,
and find out if julianne moore and pierce brosnan will get it together, in 'the laws of attraction'. And despite what my mum thinks, I wasn't that drunk really - only had one beer and one wine all night, the rest were walk-in and walk straight back out!

Saturday, December 17, 2005

11:14 PM
Posted by jodi rose

i caught the train to berlin again yesterday.
really must stop getting out at bratislava!
having discovered the key to travelling in style on my last trip
this time again headed straight for the restaurant car
no awkward negotiation of compartment spaces or seating
just full hungarian lunch service with wine and coffee
fabulous yellow/orange/maroon/purple pleated curtains
cute waiter in vest who looked like he has been on the train since 1952
very stylish semi-circular perspex lights and molded plastic chairs
it really is the most glamorous 90 minute train journey ever.
going to newcastle was never like this!

Bratislava had the desired therapeutic retail effect, with cosmo, friday's guardian and last sunday's uk telegraph from the carlton newspaper store, small but excellent english section in bookshop one street along yielded 'the master and margarita' which is always on someone's favourite book list, and alain de botton's 'kiss and tell' ruminating on the art of biography from a subjective, personally involved viewpoint - which I think will prove useful for my current unenviable project of trying to create some kind of lucid coherent narrative from these stream of consciousness ramblings, and some great trash from the europress english bookshop; the girls guide to hunting and fishing', and 'the tea house on mulberry st'. plus zakon pritazlivosti, fantasticka 4 and sekretarka on dvd.

think I will make it through until arrival of care packages, although it was touch and go for a minute there. really needed the day off, was getting way too stressed by various projects and writing tasks.
negotiated a month's leeway on the newspaper article - will be far ore indepth and philosophical, I promise - and now concentrating on finishing the budgets for these proposals. and being human again.

everything got way too hard on friday, woke up early to get the 9am train, booked the taxi, it didn't come, rang again - yes, 5 minutes, waited - waited - waited. oh well, missed that train, back to bed.
cranky, so called the other taxi company, discovered they spoke no english and didn't know who the hell this hidor was - walking towards green pub to arrange them picking me up from there, ran inside, threw my phone into zoltan's hands and said, please, tell the taxi to get me here, now! he obliged, and thankfully the train was delayed as I still got there late. It's frustrating being reduced to the level of a two year old in basic life skills, not being able to do things without assistance.
And the contradiction of then managing this insane art career - no wonder I need some trash to chill out. That, and the more sophisticated level of language and emotional involvement through movies.
On return at 9pm, had the taxi drop me straight back to the pub, couldn't face going home to an empty house (a bit melancholy and still cranky on the train, weeping not howling at the full moon) but ran into Tommi (gyuri's son) there with some friends and had a riotous evening, was offered a trip to italy with a truckdriver (which I strangely declined) and enjoyed being the centre of attention for a minute.
Came home and had drunken conversations with friends in sydney and london, tone of mind almost recovered now.

Saturday, December 17, 2005

10:38 AM
Posted by jodi rose

And for all my NZ readers and listeners
you can hear an interview with me on
Radio NZ

Monday 19th December after 11pm news
maybe Saturday 17th between 2-5pm
in 'THE MIX' talking in Newtown Cemetery with
Jody aka rapper, producer, musician
Trillion

Hello and Merry Christmas to all the Rose family on the farm and all over NZ.
xxx jodi

Thursday, December 15, 2005

4:43 PM
Posted by jodi rose

It's time for an intervention, now starting to go a leeetle insane.
Did manage to find the french patisserie, with the help of much pointing and laughter from the woman in the corner shop. Luckily it was very disappointing, so won't prove much threat to my health or arteries.

Nigella is going to be a far worse problem.... launching my career as a domestic goddess tonight with lemon delicious. Which isn't in her book so had to find a recipe on the internet - went with
Gabriel Gate's. Looks good and plenty of other healthier recipes on the site too. (No, really am not being paid for product placement - sheer coincidence!)

This working on projects across multiple time zones thing is what's really doing my head in. Clicked onto Australian time so working from 11pm or so until 3am. Better get used to it I guess, as it's only going to continue and probably be even more insane over the next year.

Have just formulated the latest part of my grand plan, which is to make permanent installations on bridges around the world networked with remote controllable management nodes, so I can stream them into a live performance from and to any location. Wishing I didn't think of that, now feel compelled to make sure it happens. Along with all my other keen and fabulous international bridge operatives, have just enlisted the participation of Glasgow's 55 Degrees ultra cool and progressive creative content and design consultancy. Am adopting their 4 day week - 'because tired workers are not creative workers' and life as a full-time artist involves far more hours spent writing proposals, applications, acquitting finances, generating networks and profile - thank it does creating art. That's it, friday is my day off no matter what, and I'm going to Bratislava.

This process has revealed some kind of mental block I had about making a permanent installation - there forever? ohmigod! - much more comfortable with the transient, ephemeral, impermanence. The scale and complexity of this next stage was overwhelming for a minute there but am getting a strong basis of support and encouragement, and the chance to work with really excellent creative, passionate, committed people so it's ok now. I trust it will be fine.

.. and now, back to that article. due today.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

12:03 AM
Posted by jodi rose

If you're in Australia and need a break from the news, tune in to Julian Day Up Late from 10.30pm - 12.30am on ABC Classic FM.

Always something intriguing to listen to, this week you'll hear a new five-part documentary series about Musique Concrete the tradition of incorporating found sounds into music.

(sorry only just got the information myself, but may be played again in January - dates tbc)

Mon 12 December
The Art of Noises by Jodi Rose opens tonight with a question:
What Is Musique Concrete?

Tue 13 December
Includes part two of The Art of Noises by Jodi Rose, an artistic inquiry into musique concrete. Tonight, Radiophonics and Technology.

Wed 14 December
Includes part three of The Art of Noises by Jodi Rose.
Tonight, Composition.

Thu 15 December
Includes part four of The Art of Noises by Jodi Rose.
Tonight, Francisco Lopez in-depth..

Fri 16
Includes part five of The Art of Noises by Jodi Rose. Tonight, New Worlds.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

3:37 PM
Posted by jodi rose

Slowly some of the mysteries of this town unravel for me.
When I asked Gabriel in the lavazza cafe about the video/dvd rental shop, he told me it closed a while ago - 'business is not so good,' he says due to the shop in esztergom being cheaper with a better range, and people doing their own personal swaps. aha. 'So what dvd's do you have?' I asked, and today he lent me Team America World Police, Scarface and Reservoir Dogs - realise it's good for me to watch something other than trashy romantic comedies now and then ;)

The self-discpline is coming along reasonably well - switched into obsessive workaholic focus getting the glasgow proposal up to scratch - there are times when having a tendency towards obsessive personality can be very useful for an artist - although sometimes not so great for a human being human. Have started walking 40minutes a day again, that helps clear the demons and cobwebs, and managed to coax my creaky aching limbs into some gentle yoga stretches, both of which help immensely with mental clarity, focus and being comfortable in your skin and at peace with the world.

My favourite walk is along the raised paths that run by the river - just worked out today they also serve as protection for the town against flooding - the flood markers at 9 ft are just below them - and today found an old lace-metal cross marking someone's demise. trying to imagine, did they just keel over here of a heart attack, drown in a flood, or were they attatacked by bandits or theives? A few minutes later passed a woman and child, smiled and they ignored me, then three men with a young boy - smiled again, figure it's best to be friendly and not look scared or threatening in uncertain situations - the men all said hello, one of them indicated he would quite like to join me - I laughed and waved and kept walking. Then a dog adopted me and wouldn't go home, as I was heading towards the town, so backtracked and retraced my steps. Then greeted a teenage boy who had been very intrigued by my talking into a microphone under the bridge last week, smiled, said hi - he said something which I didn't understand so ignored, then he whistled and made the universal gesture for 'do you want to f&*#'? again I laughed and waved him away - thinking, it's not far back to the town, if he follows me I can run. reminded me of paris, have never been propositioned on the street so often in my life as the week I spent there. although it happened in adelaide too, where threesanna told me when she lived in the redlight district in amsterdam and men hassled her, she would just laugh and say 'I'm off-duty now' but that taking it lightly and not getting pissed off was a better response than telling them to take a hike, so employed that approach.

Not sure if it's my sheer animal magnetism ;) or these men just haven't seen a woman walking on her own for a while, but whatever the cause, still have factor. Reading some very interesting comments about gender politics and expectations of sexual attractiveness for women on the excellent she sells sanctuary go to 'like a natural woman'. Maybe it's just that I have more flesh to admire than is normal here, where women tend towards being extremely thin - thoughtprovoking reference to the 'profound terror of the female body' in
sins of the flesh.

I still haven't located the french bakery, but that's probably for the best, although I guess will have to try some other places to walk now, so maybe our paths will cross eventually. Did stumble across the old gypsy houses yesterday on the road back into town from the river path. Most of them have been demolished and brand new brick houses built, but three remain almost standing - one has erupted onto the footpath, spilling earth and wood from the walls and revealing dark cavernous rooms, the backyards are filled with piles of wood, metal, rubbish and kitchen utensils. There was one place where only the side beams of the doorway remain, opening onto a winding path into the woods.

Official duties continue today with an exhibition opening to attend at the town gallery, editing and printing the diary for my logbook, and finishing that article for the local newspaper on my impressions of the town and what aspects of life and culture are particularly intriguing.

Then it's entertainment time - sadly finished the third series of 'coupling' last night, although watching the cast interviews afterwards, realised that one of the boys here is rather like (the brilliant) richard coyle as jeff - scarily, very funny, endearingly entertaining and... oddly attractive. And if you've never seen coupling, to start with you're missing out, but also you will have no idea just how disturbing that last comment is. Another riddle in the ever changing enigma that is sturovo.

Monday, December 12, 2005

10:46 PM
Posted by jodi rose

In an attempt to develop self-discipline, am not allowed to go into Bratislava and buy trashy dvd's and books until
1. printer installed
2. project proposals updated and sent
3. bridge guard logbook updated
4. novel synopsis written and first two chapters typed
So, I've got the printer/scanner/copier running (hp 1510 very sleek control panel came in slovakian, czech or magyar but managed to work it out anyway) and the novel synopsis and chapter outline written, first two chapters still in notebook - am really going to have to try and write directly into the computer. The problem is, I'm so used to writing the blog now, that it all comes out stream of consciousness - random thoughts - poetic fragments - minimal grammar. In the more structured writing I have a tendency to be over-formal, so this is my chance to freeform avante jazz play with words. The typing process adds another layer of editing, which really isn't my strongest point, being in the generation that skipped grammar entirely. The school board just took it out of the curriculum, although luckily it's back there now. Still, word grammar check picks me up on all the fragments and floating unattached signifiers.
Since it's (almost) christmas, if I can just do those two public art project proposals tonight, then will go crazy in the city tomorrow.

Although thanks to Kirsty, I don't have to look for Sandra - what a fab xmas present, it's very much appreciated!

In other news, Helsinki is full of trolls and starmaps.

Appreciate the sunny days as I never did before, Sunday magnificent although still only 2 degrees, and the fog has settled in again today.

Woke up to a world crisp with ice particles - all the surfaces, from tree branches to fencewire and benches are covered in spiky ice crystals, like a science experiment gone mad. They stayed all day, don't think it snowed last night, more like any moisture in the air was magnetically attracted to the nearest surface and stuck there forming these strange and beautiful ice thorns. That or it was an ice storm.
And I know, it's only frozen water, but it just doesn't take that form in Sydney. Where apparently there have been riots again this weekend - really must look at a news site one of these days. Check out a range of views on this comprehensive group politics blogs. Sadly, it's happening all over the world - a young man was killed by skinheads under the novy most bridge in bratislava a few weeks ago, he was targeted because 'he looked different' - ie had long hair and was playing a guitar. Most of the eyewitnesses have been reluctant to come forward, as they were also beaten by the gang - but a huge demonstration against the violence took place the next week. What does it take for people to accept that we all have to live with each other? vive la difference!

Having achieved not much, it's back to tender bridges for me.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

12:19 AM
Posted by jodi rose

I've just experienced the Hungarian/Slovakian version of the OC deb ball. Even down to the sexy Seth type with two brunette princesses vying for his affections, and a solid Ryan with a buzzcut making smartass comments (I could tell from the laughter).

The lovely Mary invited me to come to her high school graduation night - and as she gets dragged out to translate at whatever event I need a translator for, thought this was the least I could do in return. The event is held in the Kulturhaz, with all the teachers, parents and students seated at tables in the hall; while other friends watch from the balcony. The graduating girls are dressed in their finest formal wear, boys in suits. During the actual ceremony, they stand on stage, arranged with the tallest in the middle, while official speeches are made by headmistress and master, a green ribbon is pinned to each student as their names are read out; to the strains of 'I believe I can fly' they file ceremoniously down the stairs to collect a glass of champagne, which they move around the room and toast all their guest with - then return to the stage. more speeches, mary gives the student reply speech, then they all reform into three groups around the microphones and sing what I swear sounds like a Hungarian drinking song. After this (and it's been almost an hour!) the singing and dancing take place, first a solo pianist, then the boys come out in black and are joined by the girls wearing short black skirts and singlets in a very sassy modern dance number to 'let's make love and dance the whole night long' - how sophisticated teenagers are these days :)
after that they change into casual outfits and enact a series of skits which evidently satirise various teachers (I can't understand the text, but the body language and intent is clear) and then the grand finale: ballroom dancing numbers. Everyone is back in their glossy shiny formal dresses by now - some favourites are the orange chiffon pantsuit ala mariah carey, one princess in satin and white tulle, another in stiff pale blue satin, very brave girl in a 50's kneehigh orange cocktail frock, half a dozen in shades of burgundy and claret; and one goth girl in a black sheath dress with silver front panel and cuffs, and chiffon sleeves - absolutely stunning! Back to the dancing, the couples pair up as they walk down off the stage, all very regal and poised - and dance a sedate ballroom number (not a waltz or tango!) with each other. The second song, they each grab a teacher and dance - afterwards presenting them with a yellow rose, and for the finale, bring one of their parents (of the opposite sex) out to dance, and give them a red rose - the girl sitting in front of me has been crying steadily throughout the evening, with friends passing her new tissuess. By the end I am also leaking the odd tear - all that youth, beauty, hope, translucent skin and chiffon - I would challenge anyone to remain unmoved. Anyway, it's a gorgeous evening, very different from the school formal and graduation I experienced. There's an old-world grace and courtesy between the students, their teachers and parents, which is incredibly charming.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

11:52 PM
Posted by jodi rose

a busload of tourists arrived this morning and unpacked their cameras to document their visit to the rebuilt bridge. I was having an off-duty morning so didn't accost them to collect impressions. next time.
the town seems to be getting busier - maybe just end of school year.

summoned to gyuri and sofie's apartment to farewell karol, who returns to switzerland via budapest this weekend. he is very happy that all the bridge guards invite their friends to share the experience, and the word is spreading about sturovo. I reccomend a trip purely for the vadas baths, the bridge is an added bonus. Or vica versa.

Gyuri edits the local newspaper, I must write and article for the next edition - he and Sofie talk me through the main stories (all in Hungarian and Slovakian). Front page is the new baths and spa center which opened in Esztergom a few weeks ago, and the Sturovo chicken. I had just noticed the mestska policia have this symbol on their car - actually it's a rooster, and found out it is the town's symbol - like Warsaw's mermaid and Malmo's griffin.
Sturovo was originally called kakat - which apparently means rooster - and the two blue stripes symbolise the two rivers, while the triangle represents the shape of the old castle/fortress. There are 5 points in the crest, for each time the town burnt down. An unexpected lesson in heraldic symbolism - it's a very cute looking fowl.
Inside, someone is optimistic about something, but I can't remember who. There's an article with itemised account of city funding, which seems to be mainly for sport related activity and building. Story about the physics competition at the elementary school; and a cultural exchange program with students from Spain, Poland and Hungary, visiting a cobbled street somewhere. Hey, some of them look familiar - think they were staying at the hostel patio in bratislava the night i was there. Very friendly, asked highly relevant teen questions about Australia (like, are the boys there cute - I told them, depends what you like) then ran around the corridors all night.
Back to the Sturovo Parkany a okolie es Videke regionalis havilap; the town is jubilant about something - Saint Imre, who is the patron saint of the local church and was the son of the first Hungarian King. He was sainted for... 'living like a saint' I'm told, and died at 21. Which makes it easier to stay out of trouble, I guess. Following this is a biography of Hungarian playwright Csepreghy Ferenc, 1842 - 1880, another short life. Not sure if his plays are being performed still.
An ad for the Parkany-Esztergom Winter ball, Jan 14 is illustrated by the new bridge connecting the two towns enclosed by a scroll and wreath with both coats of arms, the Esztergom one seems to mainly feature the Basilica. Sturovo is definitely the underdog - or underchook - hardly ever appears on the maps, but we're changing that! Also a rant from film club saying why does no-one ever come?
Or at least that's what I'm guessing, from recent attendance. Tried to go last week even though the film was in french with czech subtitles, but was secretly glad only one other person showed up so came home.

The main feature article which captures my imagination is about Paul, the homeless man. It's a seasonal 'remember those less fortunate than ourselves' type angle, but the story behind is fascinating. He is the only homeless person in the town, I saw him in the street a day or so ago and his presence begging in the pesia zona seemed incongruous. 'Does the state provide housing?' I ask. Yes, but in Novy Zamke - which is 50km northwest - and he comes back here because he loves the Basilica and the River, and can't be away from them.
In the 1970's he lived on the bridge - the one arch left standing - and was quietly drinking and minding his own business when a Russian soldier came and told him to move on (or off). In the ensuing struggle, the Russian soldier was hurled into the river, and Paul went to the police station to advise them of this accident. They laughed and sent him away, telling him he was drinking too much and imaginging things. So a few days (or weeks) later, when the body washed up 30km downstream on the Hungarian side, the police arrested Paul and he spent twenty years in prison. Now he lives in the gimnazium (high school) which is being renovated, in the part that has no roof or running water (a friend tells me they could have school swimming class in there instead of at the vadas baths) during the winter; and in summer he lives in the cemetry. 'Which one', I ask, 'the Russian?'
"no!' chorus gyuri and sofie, 'the Catholic cemetery.' Obviously, I guess, considering his history - also the Catholic one has trees for shade, a wall for privacy and very ornate graves always covered with fresh flowers - while the Russian is slabs of anonymous concrete in an open field with a monumental statue of a grief-stricken mother cradling her (presumably) dead son to her bosom, towering over it.
So, next time I see Paul I will empty my wallet into his hat.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

4:25 PM
Posted by jodi rose

soviet concrete jungle

friday night
I have an strange craving to watch sandra bullock - any movie, the trashier the better. While you were sleeping, Miss Congeniality 2 perhaps - there's something very soothing about Sandra, she's so everygirl, and perky but nowhere near as annoyingly perky as JLo in her fine romantic comedy roles. When I meet Gyuri at the Fabo computer shop to buy a multifunction printer/copier/scanner for the residence, I ask if there is a video shop in town. He describes the location for me: on st stephen ulica, past the Billa supermarket, before the Coop, you turn left at the french bakery (what! usually I can smell a good patisserie at 20 miles... have to investigate) go through a very special 1970's built retirement village; and there is the video store. Hmmm, considering my addiction to the Mesnovik (5 layer sponge and cream honey cake), I need the walk so after getting new geek toy home (still unplugged and uninstalled) decide to investigate.

Walking.. walking... walking.... past featureless concrete soviet apartment blocks, distinguished only by their height (4 or 8 storey) and either red or yellow paint flaking off the sides, next to aluminium windows bristling with satellite dishes. The Terno coop supermarket is up ahead, welcoming christmas tree lighting up the parking lot.. still no sign of either bakery or video store. I probe the range available in the supermarket - but only the music section has any dvd's, and they are luciano pavarotti, some heavy metal (very popular here going by the jukebox at the green pub) and a diva compilation. Oh well, Sandra will have to wait. Getting home at 6, I have an indulgent night in, with frozen pizza - quite good once extra mushrooms, tomato and fetta are added - and a few episodes of 'coupling' which is painful but funny. It was part of my winter survival package from the ever fabulous philippa, who sent a very funky down jacket (Sofie tells me today I look like a flower in it :) with a series each of 'coupling', 'black books' (which I have to ration to two episodes at a time, or everything hurts from laughing) and 'cutting it - hairdressers at love work and war'. I decide to try and find the video shop again in the morning, but to no avail. There is just no reading the buildings here, and of course I don't know the word for video or dvd rental in either slovak or hungarian - yes, a dictionary at this point may be an excellent purchase, will add it to my list for the english bookstore on my next trip to Bratislava. Likely to be Monday, since this Sandra craving just isn't going away. I know, it's very strange, but try being stuck in a small town with very limited entertainment options and you start missing the weirdest things. Like the Haloumi bagel at Cafe Gyulia - or being able to catch a bus to the ocean. Magic.

There are advantages to understanding almost nothing of what is going on around you - it definitely cuts out the advertising white noise, and all the conversations you inadvertently overhear in public places are just so much gently bubbling background hum. Still, it's high time for a trip to the capital, where I can stock up on trashy dvd's and the english newspapers. Last time I looked they were full of bad news, the glaciers in greenland melting miles faster than anyone expected, end of the world due soon, power shortages expected in the UK with sudden cold snap, governments still trying to justify the unjustifiable. Maybe it's better not to know.

Thursday, December 8, 2005

11:56 PM
Posted by jodi rose

skating on...

Life's back to normal today
or as normal as being a bridge guard in a small slovak town gets

Visited a friend this morning, who fed me palacinky (pancakes)
with marmalade and chocolate powder, and gave me homemade quince paste (i think - not sure of the translation from hungarian)

We enjoy a rambling conversation, topics from communism to love;
how the majority of kids here mainly watch tv and sport, bursting my romantic illusion of a society filled with poetry and literature ;)

She's a music teacher, encouraging her son to read and play music - he's addicted to harry potter now, like kids worldwide,it's a start..

I'm collecting stories about the communist time from different ages,
her main memory is of not being allowed to go to church or talk about religion, and the fact even the gypsies had to work, or go to prison.

Hmm, am not sure sure about that one, but in context of the way mainstream society views gypsy people, her attitude makes sense. The Rom used to live in cottages near the Kulturhuz in the centre of town, but with redevelopment were moved out into apartments and had complaints for making fires inside them; and are thought to steal. but, she says, they have a very specific sense for music... of course!

She asks me, wouldn't you like to settle down? I'm torn - right now, this feels like home as much as anywhere else. But yes, of course I would love my own place, somewhere in the world, to return to. Preferably with the man of my dreams keeping the hearth warm.

Something about the attitude to relationships here intrigues me - there seem to be a lot of younger people in serious long term relationships; she met her husband when she was 17, they married at 21 and now have a 9 year old son - she says, we would have liked to travel, but I am very happy. Like in Finland, people seem to both take love more seriously and have fewer illusions about the reality of making it work; and are grounded, without the cynicism of australian urban youth. Or maybe that was just my inner city arty ghetto ;)

But then, looking at mass media celebrities, maybe the kids are just doing the whole babies and marriage thing younger these days. My generation, having bought the promise of feminist independence and a career seems to strangely lack the ability to start and sustain healthy relationships. Of course, there are exceptions - but in general, you know the statistics of single childless educated women. More likely to get hit by a bus etc etc etc ad infinitum.

Someone writes to me and gives the following advice - you're in the public eye, get used to it! He also notes that some of my response appears thin-skinned and naive. Well, yes you do have to choose your battles, but I think it's worth being honest and vulnerable. And hey, I AM thin-skinned and naive! Although getting thicker all the time ;)

It's part of being an artist, letting yourself be open to the world.
Often accused of over-sensitivity, I've worked damn hard to maintain a childlike sense of wonder to the world.


'we are in the midst of beauty, responding with joy'.
Life IS what you make it. Dream on.


Later this afternoon, another friend drops round to collect the recordings I made earlier of the Maria Valeria Bridge; and tells me that the teenagers today still emply this technique of talking over the water to each other - late at night though, not early morning. What do you talk about?, I ask. Usually: 'what are you drinking?' - 'wine' - 'ah, we have beer', he tells me. Fabulous, from the secret codes and painfully separated families swapping news; to kids misbehaving.

I'm glad to see the world changes so quickly - it gives me hope.

Wednesday, December 7, 2005

8:52 PM
Posted by jodi rose

h2s 1.0 limit 10 if only I had paid more attention in science class

Sturovo update:

The council building is festooned with coloured flashing lights, matching the vast display of chandeliers inside.

Sophea decoded the red led display outside the local government chambers - it's a regular update of the pollution reading for the area (and air). which leads me to wonder - just how bad does it get, that the council has installed this?

I've discovered a new game - finding poetry in search queries - strangely satisfying.

bridge girl traveling diary
worlds longest bridge
sisu chutzpah
silja ferry finnish girl drunk
bridges of the world
diagram of the inner ear
korean group singing sugar
nothing i have is really mine song
east & west music bar at changi airport
the red boat hostel stockholm
calatrava bridges harp netherlands
what makes the colarado river run
longest bridge

or the abridged version:

the
jodi
bridges
longest
girl
diary
traveling
worlds
of
fork
red
alamillo
orange
river
blog
boat
chutzpah
singing
inner
group
agent
silja
run
hostel
in
makes
what
button

Wednesday, December 7, 2005

8:47 PM
Posted by jodi rose

... all I want for christmas

Wanted: Fantastically Talented Editor & Top Literary Agent
Property: Controversial Artist's Novel
Author: (may or may not be) Australia's 'Best' Blogger

... now how do you start a bidding war at the Frankfurt book fair?

Wednesday, December 7, 2005

8:44 PM
Posted by jodi rose

BYO rocket!

Hope this isn't a mistake - trying to clear the air, and please don't email your criticism as I won't be publishing or engaging with any more of those comments - it's time to move on!!!!

from Charles' reply:

Thanks Jodi.

My points were really about the judging process, rather than your blog.
It's unfair to all participants to have two judges decide the outcome by
marking in a completely different range to the majority, and for worthy finalists to be rejected by a completely anonymous process, just as it's unfair for you to be subjected to personal abuse as a result.

Although I didn't award you my top points - largely because I felt we
were judging blogs in general, rather than arts-based blogs - given a
different set of criteria I might well have. As I wrote, you were in my
top three, and I can live with the results.

Charles

-----

Dear Charles,

thanks for your email and invitation to clear up some of the 'fun' around my blog win. I appreciate this opportunity to correct some basic misinformation and hopefully revise some of the assumptions being made.

To start with ownership of the blog, it is entirely independent, all my own work and is no way affiliated with, nor does it reflect the views of the ABC or the Australia Council for the Arts. It is not 'owned' by either of these organisations. I continue to write the blog regardless of how I am earning money at the time; the issue of funding is irrelevant to the blog.

I started the blog in 2002 on blogger.com after I was made redundant from my job at onetel (remember them!?) and decided to devote three months time and energy to realising my dream of travelling the world to record the sound of bridges. The blog was a way to record the journey and let people stay in touch with what I was up to - which is what it remains. This trip was funded privately and with no government or grant assistance.

Since then I have been lucky enough to create a successful career as an independent artist through a variety of means, including Australia Council funding. After being Artist in Residence at ABC Radio in 2004, I have also been commissioned to produce freelance radio programs and this supplements the sporadic fees I receive for performing at festivals, giving workshops, sometimes yes being 'unemployed', and now and then selling a CD. more on the art debate later...

The reason an address c/o the ABC appears listed somewhere is that it was the best place for me to pick up mail directly after the residency, when I was overseas for a few months. However I now have a PO box and will update these details when I find the site referred to.

Next, tackling the comments on what is or is not a blog.

Regarding criticism of the style and content of the blog - the look is designed to fit with the rest of the site, and is not from a template.
The content is about personal expression, and wether the writing is 'good' or not seems to miss the point about a blog being a unique voice. There is plenty of formulaic writing out there that follows the rules - how exciting to have access to so many other people writing in their own style and creating a new language of individual voices in this overmediated age.

According to blogger.com,

"A blog gives you your own voice on the web. It's a place to collect and share things that you find interesting- whether it's your political commentary, a personal diary, or links to web sites you want to remember.
Many people use a blog just to organize their own thoughts, while others command influential, worldwide audiences of thousands. Professional and amateur journalists use blogs to publish breaking news, while personal journalers reveal inner thoughts."

'Your own voice on the web' seems to be the crucial element here.
A blog is essentially a form of personal expression.
Having 'comments, rss feeds, trackbacks, categories/tags' etc does not make it more of a blog than something that is simply 'words on a page'.

In response to 'evil pundit' - I am aware this is not a full sentence, is there a blog style manual somewhere that must be referred to? - it is a very restrained fragment of my momentarily exasperated response to this ludicrous furore. (the rest of my comments are private)

Which brings us to the next point - a series of personal attacks. Having someone write and advise you to kill yourself is not fun.
In fact the level of vitriol and abuse in some of the emails I received has been a far greater shock than winning the competition in the first place. Which let me clarify, is as much a surprise to me as to anyone that it won.

I entered it in a spirit of fun, and am still completely bemused at both the result and the controversy it has caused.

There seems to be a double standard at work here, where 'people expect blogging should be a non-commercial activity, and then chastise you for not working'. Very strange.

Also, the fact that my art practice receives government funding does not invalidate or in any way affect the content, style or quality of my blog. The blog is part of a website which was very generously designed long before I was able to afford to pay for this.

There is a lively, critical and politically engaged, socially aware and highly sophisticated discourse informing Australian cultural and artistic practice - which sadly hasn't filtered through to the 'you artists have a hide, how dare you think you deserve any support (especially taxpayer funded)' brigade.

Start at http://www.realtimearts.net/ and go from there.

Comments on the blog being 'elitist' or too arty are a little disingenuous - surely if the competition is open to anyone, and the stated aim is to show that "any Australian can create a blog regardless of the topic and personal interest" then having a blog about bridges, art, philosophy and personal experiences is just as valid as having a blog about 'daily life' from any other perspective.

I am not by any means criticising the other blogs which are gorgeous, engaging and well written (and have all those fun things mine doesn't, like rss feed and search categories) but pointing out the anti-intellectual bias implicit in this kind of comment.

Why not an art blog? Art is part of life too.

Do we really need to have this discussion again, about the validity of art?

And for the record, the inherent assumption in some of the comments is that I've never worked a day in my life - or at least not in an 'honest job' which is ridiculous.

I'm as much 'an ordinary person' as the next person.

Brief biographical note:
Waitress 1993 - 1997
Call Centre Worker 1997 - 2001
Artist 1970 - ?

Finally, I would like to offer thanks to all the people who have written messages of support and encouragement, it's wonderful to be part of such a lively, interesting, generous and diverse community. Thank you.

And especially a HUGE thank you to the blog competition finalists, who are incredibly gracious, generous and wonderful in their comments and links - maybe those unnecessarily harsh critics could learn something about a healthy perspective and good sportsmanship from them!

I hope this clears up the facts, thanks again for the opportunity to respond to the misinformation.

Regards,
Jodi

-------

Hi Jodi,

I'm a journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and one of the judges of the best blog competition.

A good deal of fun seems to have erupted over your award, and I wonder if you would care to clear some things up.

According to this blog - http://www.observationdeck.org/weblogs/?p=1298#comments - your blog seems to belong to the ABC.
Can you say exactly who owns it, and how it was created.

It's also suggested that it was funded by a government grant.
Is that so?

Regards,

Charles Wright

Wednesday, December 7, 2005

8:40 PM
Posted by jodi rose

I am officially adopting the symbol of the city of warsaw:

a mermaid with sword raised over heard and a shield in front of here heart. a girl needs some protection in this crazy times.

Yes, although I am trying to tread lightly and not engage with any of the abuse, now sophea has gone home and I'm here alone, completely broke down this afternoon. The ratio is much better now - only four emails of vitriol compared to 26 of encouragement, support and generosity. But was so nervous almost threw up before opening them.

Who knew that winning $10,000 could be so traumatic?!?

Anyway, here is a sample from the lovely people who wrote to congratulate and say thoughtful things:

"Don't let the doomsayers get you down - I think your site innovative and inspiring. Congratulations on your win - I would pay extra tax to support more people with original ideas like yourself. cheers, yasmin."

"I'm writing to congratulate you on winning the best blog prize. Congratulations!

If I could legitimately apologise on behalf of the half dozen or so ranters who are having a go at your project, I would. I hope you don't let these fools get to you - from recent posts, it doesn't seem like you are. Anyway, I think this is a great result for the blog community, and once the ranting gang move on to the next thing to be indignant about, a few people might be prompted to think a bit about where blogs can go and what can be done with them in future.
Best wishes,
Laura"

"Hi Jodi, saw online that your blog won that award so came to have a look. I love your work! and will be buying your cd soon. I wanted however to write about the comments left by people begrudging their tax dollars/being nasty about the way you live and work. I'm a writer who recently left fulltime work to try to struggle through. At the moment I'm on a scholarship but hoping to sell a novel soon. I agree
with you that it's no easy ride - it can be a worry thinking about how you can make a living - and when you look at the grants given to the arts world they are miniscule compared to what's spent on other things. Also, I think that a lot of us worked our butts off in our previous jobs in order to try to set ourselves up to survive on our arts work.
Good on you - keep it up!"

thank you very much for the support, it is greatfully received.

and yes, I'm curious to know how much the government spends on grants and tax breaks etc to corporations compared to arts funding?

oooops better be careful with these new sedition laws coming in, best not to criticise or discuss anything at all, ever.....

Tuesday, December 6, 2005

8:37 PM
Posted by jodi rose

exhibition glasgow cca

just words on a page

Tuesday, December 6, 2005

5:35 PM
Posted by jodi rose

winter family from the 6a and 6b class drawings

well, this award sure is a good way to remind people you exist - it's lovely hearing from so many friends. and the ratio has definitely improved for positive feedback, 15:3.

Cheers to Loobylu, thanks for your good wishes and support!
Gorgeous blog, lush photos, great recipes for craft and food, proper sentences, lovely writing, search and comment features:
http://www.loobylu.com/

I went to the elementary school xmas puppet show today, to check out the music, as I've been asked to edit the soundtrack for next year. Very cute farmyard puppets and cheeky birds, and a high standard of music and sound fx to live up to.

Tuesday, December 6, 2005

2:06 PM
Posted by jodi rose

DIY fireworks on sale now!

Happy Finnish Independence Day!

Thank you smartyblog for recognising the blog as a medium worth celebrating, and for investing the generous prize money in this competition. and thanks to the judging panel for selecting my idiosyncratic raving as the winner! I love youse all....

http://www.smartyhost.com.au/bloggerwinner.html

'Hi Jodi, I was scanning The Age and there was a report that your singing bridges site had won first prize as Australia's best blog competition. $10K first prize. I'm so happy for you. I can't believe I used to live with a blog star, I'm going to have to tell all my friends. Congratulations babe.' (sample friendly email)

It's interesting, in the range of responses to this award I've received from complete strangers (up to about 6 so far - the rest are congratulations from friends and family similar to the above) half of them are incredibly negative. There's obviously a lot of unhappy people out there. Two wrote anonymously, one asking for tax money back and the second below, so I will address your concerns here.

"Suggest a bridge
message: I'd like to suggest that you record the sound of yourself liberating us from your pompous drain by jumping off the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne. This will be public money well spent."

First, this is a sad reflection of the bias in Australian culture which tends to privilege success in sport or business over creative or intellectual activity, and of course is a classic example of the tall poppy syndrome. Second, you would be amazed to notice if you bothered to read or listen to any of my work, that I actually do have a sense of humour about it, and am not at all pompous. In fact I had a conversation only the other day wiith the residency chiefs where I am currently guarding a bridge, about various ways of coming to a grisly end to provide good stories for the local newspaper.

"I work in a 'mundane' 'McJob' as you put it and pay the taxes that fund your little escapades...I might work a 'McJob' and not possess the higher intelectual powers you so obviously belive you hold....but don't put me down for having a McJob as the taxes I pay help fund your greater purpose!!
Simon"

And in response to Simon (who did me the courtesy of including his email address, and not hiding - thank you!) I also pay taxes, strange though it may be. I would greatly prefer my taxes to go towards funding art projects that add something to the world, or into education and health, than to continuing to support this paranoid and insane climate of fear and terror which the government appears to believe is necessary.

Yes I have referred to being in a 'mcjob' which is not to denigrate all the people who do work in 'mundane' areas - I have infinite respect for the work anyone does to survive. My point is that for my own personal life satisfaction, having had the advantages of access to education and the opportunity to choose how I would like to focus my time and energy in this life, I celebrate the ability to create a life that is outside the expected range of social aspirations. I know from feedback and conversations with people all over the world, that this provides inspiration and a different perspective on ways of perceiving and living - which is equally important as doing other kinds of work.

criticism about not being a 'professional blogger' mystifies me - surely this is a medium about personal expression. yes certain conventions have arisen, but not adhering to them doesn't make the writing less valid. strange. and remember 'don't believe the hype'.

It's a tenuous fragmented existence, which I wouldn't expect many people to find enjoyable or want to undertake - and part of my writing project is to celebrate the joy of sharing great company, good food and the love and support of friends, family and strangers while exploring the world through this crazy art project. I'm really happy that all the time I thought was being a little bit 'wasted' or at least diverted from focusing on making serious, more important artistic contributions, on keeping my blog up to date - has been rewarded!

thank you for reading, and have a lovely day.
xx jodi

Tuesday, December 6, 2005

12:31 AM
Posted by jodi rose

calm reflection glowing in afternoon sun

today took a surreal turn
had to go float in thermal baths for a few hours in the rain in order to take it in properly
still haven't opened the champagne - breakfast!
sophea arrived from helsinki, and on tuesday we celebrate Finnish Independence Day with Leipajuusto and Cloudberry Jam. maybe even finnish pancakes if the chocolate high has worn off from nigella's insanely decadent melting babycakes. yes, I am now officially a domestic goddess - amongst many other things.

having suffered momentary metadata envy earlier in the year, I am now thoroughly validated in my ultra simple, low-tech blog writing - not even a search facility, no bells or whistles - which as the very fabulous jonathon who designed the blog CMS I'm using pointed out, is decidedly ironic. the low-fi format, I think adds strength to the work, rather than detracting from it.

and of course the bridge is still standing - it is the intention to guard that keeps it safe. had a weekend of feasting with hanneke, karol and peter, heard more details about the story of passing information over the danube - apparently you had to kneel down and talk at the surface of the water for the sound to carry. keen to experiment with recreating this and find out if still possible in this noisy world.

Saturday, December 3, 2005

4:52 PM
Posted by jodi rose

top secret
confidential

singing bridge guard to appear on dial-a-diva
17:55 GMT
phone CALL +44 (0) 1452 583 087
to listen live to the guard serenade her bridge from the bath

just heard a fabulous indian singer, now some grungey glaswegian
karol and hanneke arrive soon to take me to the station and pick up peter hudini then a quick sing in the bath and out for dinner
freezing cold today the wind at the bridge very icy

Friday, December 2, 2005

5:39 PM
Posted by jodi rose

bridge watch
nothing much to report
walked down to the river after weekly grocery shopping
always a challenge finding the exact ingredients in slovakian
commuter traffic peak hour backed up to the second arch
the water cold and dark rushing by in shadow

now the novelty has officially worn off
friday dec 1st 12.48pm for anyone with bets on
less than a month, give or take trips away
learning to be self-reliant, self-nurturing and all that
last night cooked green curry with tofu, leek, mushroom,
weird sour cream I bought in hopes it was sweet but no
doesn't seem to exist -always yoghurt or sour not pouring
so much for being a domestic goddess - but hey, it's an attitude
and found mini-loaf tray for making chocolate pudding

learn today while translating the town museum brochure into english
that the area has been continuously inhabited since neolithic times
and one of the most significant archeological sites in central europe
is where the paper factory now stands, built 1965 during the communist era, but the good news is that some of the artefacts are due to be returned from the national archeological museum.
gave the town a boulevard, and portraits of the famous and infamous.

tonight is an advent concert in the church, with a choir and trumpet enemble from budapest. as long as they're not the trumpets of the apocalypse.....

Thursday, December 1, 2005

6:09 PM
Posted by jodi rose

bridge watch
woke up to sunshine and (almost) clear skies
by the time I got down to the bridge the haze had set in
walked along the danube in the bratislava direction
until the bend in the river meant rock clambering
the haze gave the grey sky yellow and gold reflections
I met a man under the bridge with white hair
he was at the musuem exhibition opening last night
155 years of the sturovo railway station, and today
Julius asked me to help translate the brochure into english
which I very much enjoyed, giving the town a boulevard :)

Thursday, December 1, 2005

6:05 PM
Posted by jodi rose

... just cos I'm here in a small slovakian border town, doesn't mean I've lost touch with the world...

here are some fabulous upcoming networked art events for your participation, delectation and experimentation:

http://www.dialadiva.net/

Dial-a-Diva is an event spanning the globe for 24 hours, connecting singers and listeners live by telephone.

3rd - 4th December 2005

Call: +44 (0) 1452 583 087 (UK landline)
to listen to concerts spanning the globe for 24hrs
08:00 hrs GMT 3rd December - 08:00 hrs 4th December
CONTACT: dialadiva[at]gmail.com

if you've got wireless net access, you can
join the party at the center of the universe

http://pallit.lhi.is/tpcu/

and the ever fabulous shu lea* invites you to upload love songs
for her babylove in a teacup extravanza opening December 8th
Palais de Tokyo, Paris

http://babylove.biz

*for those who have recently joined us, catch up with the previous adventures of bridge girl and shu lea's garlic & new media art project
on an organic farm in the catskills, and garlic trading in new york.
archives july - aug - sept 2002

Thursday, December 1, 2005

12:32 AM
Posted by jodi rose

basilica... gone

in two separate entirely unrelated incidents, people have thought I was guarding a fridge. the latest asked....
is there food in it?
is it plugged in?
on a plinth or just in a kitchen?
lovely, and all good philosophical questions.

fridge watch today

the basilica disappeared into mist leaving only the hillside
water dripping from the pipes and rivets made cascading surround sound under the bridge, moving in quadraphonic waves
german black barge floated past with a tugboat
making the river tidal for a moment brown-gray-green
one of the men working on last weeks tunnel came up to see me
we established I was the hidor, he seemed amused
I don't think they made it across to the other side
picture on my wall of sydney harbour bridge new years eve 2000
the millennium disaster that never eventuated
fireworks spell 'eternity' in arthur stace writing
but how long is eternity for the bridge?