Monday 24 May 2010

A wet, yet provocative, writers' festival


After attending eight ticketed and two free events, the festival is over for another 12 months. In previous years, I had been disappointed with my choice of events based mainly on writers of fiction. This year, I went too far the other way and concentrated too much on 'mangled language' and economic crises. I did, however, have the opportunity to listen to David Wessel, Paul Keating, Tony Abbott, Ross Garnaut, Ross Gittins, Don Watson and Christopher Hitchens. My only purchase this year is Ian Hoskins 'Sydney Harbour - A history'. I will also buy Garnaut's book on the 2008 recession.

13 comments:

Tracy said...

I love all the little tents and the striped chairs. The economic crises - that's rather timely,unfortunately. I don;t think I recognize any of those names except for Hitchens. I hope you heard good news from the experts. *???*

SKIZO said...

In your honour and in the honour of wall the Photographers, I published an ilustration.

jennyfreckles said...

Looks like the organisers were hopeful of better weather!

Anonymous said...

Great photos, fantastic venue, unfortunately my visit to the SWF was not as pleasant!

Julie said...

I have commented back on your blog, Mark. I will have a full assessment of my version of the SWF on Plumbing this evening with any luck.

Jim said...

Feeling cold just looking at those deck chairs and knowing how chilly the weekend was.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

brattcat said...

Is this the Tony Abbott who doesn't believe in global warming or the Tony Abbott who wrote THE POSTCARD?

Ann said...

Good geometry and the red really lifts it against the grey. Figured that was where you were. Are you going to the Film Festival?

Sydney Community College - Creative Skills. Very good. Have to print everything in b&w which is interesting. Our night shoot in a couple of weeks will be Vivid at the Opera House but I still want to try and see Fire Water. Last year I think I went shooting on about 4 different occasions (it does help to work on Macquarie Street).

Katherine said...

Oh what a shame about the rain. It was set up so well too...very beachy like!
I love the photos ... they're great!

Julie said...

BC, this is the Australian Tony Abbott, who is a conservative politician. His view on climate-change is a little quixotic at best. At one stage he said that it was 'a load of crap'. However, I am not sure that was about CC per se or rather about man-made CC.

Tracy, the 'experts' seem convinced that we are sliding into the double-dip right now.

Ann, no I am no going to the FF. My weekends for a while are chockers. However, I am going for a shoot of the Macquarie lights when they flick the switch this Thursday evening. I am particularly keen to assess Joe Snell's tunnel of light over the lower reaches of Macquarie Street. Will definitely be a tripod job. I will take in the FW drama at Campbells' Cove over the QB w/e too. Then I am off the the Bungle Bungles.

Peter said...

Always mean to get there, love the green of the harbour on a grey day. You captured the mood well.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Since we've had no rain here I was thinking you were referring to Wet politics.

diane b said...

I like the striking colours of the deck chairs against the grey day. You sound a busy lady. Filling your retirement days with fun.