Thursday 10 February 2011

Disenfranchised


These images are focussed upon 'Five Ways' in Paddington, an inner city suburb of Sydney. It is where I live, but also where I feel ostracised from the rest of the country. Where I am accused of the most heinous of 'crimes', that of being part of the 'latte set'.

Where I drink coffee and ignore the welfare of my fellow countrymen. Where I breakfast at trendy cafes, and abandon others to the vagaries of cyclone, flood and fire. Where my own 'hip pocket' is more important than starving villagers in Africa and potential Muslim fundamentalists in Indonesia.


My own description makes me unworthy. I am a baby boomer. I am tertiary educated. I am not of an established religion. I am described as a 'bleeding heart small L liberal' because I think the resources of our country should be shared. I am a socialist, I am told. I am a pensioner, but fund it myself. A bludger of the worst kind. I don't watch television. I don't follow any football code. Find cricket boring. I don't read airport novels, nor science fiction, nor anything remotely described as genre. And bugger me, I am frequently polite.

And I don't think HE slagged a dead soldier, nor do I think HER tears were fake.

14 comments:

Luis Gomez said...

Well, I will gladly share a latte with you while we enjoy walks in your neighborhood!

Dan said...

Count me in too. The fact is that we live where we are. Compassion is boundless and knows no geographical limits. Nevertheless we live and work in various locales and must deal with the problems and opportunities that we are presented with where we live.

Mary Ann said...

I think I've missed a significant portion of back-story. Has someone criticized your neighborhood, your demographic?

Both possibilities seem preposterous to me, since I like you, your photography, and your neighborhood (based on your descriptions of it, who wouldn't?).

I"m with Luis. If latte-drinkers are the new enemy, then it's time to update the numbers. Add one more to the count.

Kay L. Davies said...

Too bad baby boomers are being taken to task just for existing now, Julie. Maybe we aren't dying off as fast as they think we should. LOL
-- K

Victor said...

Oh dear, I drive through the Five Ways three days a week on the way to my volunteer work at a nearby hospital.

I'll have to avert my eyes from the sight of you attacking a latte.

Nice photos.

:)

Joe said...

Wonderfully written and photographed. Made me smile... Oh ... To be a radical.

Ann said...

Join the club (apart from the odd airport novel or sifi). I'd love to live where you do.

Re your question the other day about the super wide lens (picked it up yesterday, really good condition and half the price of new) I think its 3.5 to 4.5 so not particularly low light but its a landscape lens so if you are going to use it properly you'd be using a tripod in low light. Now to get out somewhere and play with it.

Bob Crowe said...

Oh my. Did you share these thoughts with your therapist?

But, as the saying goes, to thine own self be true.

Peter said...

I like Paddo.

Jim said...

Have you ever been labelled an 'Inner City Trendite'. :)

Mark said...

Julie Paddo 5-Ways would be a much lesser spot without you. Keep fighting the good fight- Great post. I rarely get to Sydney but would love to have latte with you - mines a flat white :)

Joan Elizabeth said...

He He I like it when you are letting off steam. I too enjoy the comforts of being in the latte set even if I don't drink coffee and all stenotypes are just that. I agree with the last statement but hubby thinks the tears were fake ... men.

Saretta said...

You are obviously a dangerous subversive! ;-)

diane b said...

I can't see the soap box in your photos.