Polaroid 6000

Town Hall [6000]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 02:40:00 +0000

Shot on perhaps the greatest integral film frame ever!

Summer in the Valley [6055]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:46:00 +0000

It might not have been the hugely popular and alcoholic Spring in the Valley, but a day trip to the Swan Valley - Perth's Valley - is always a good day out.

Additional info: Swan Valley

Across the river [6151]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:37:00 +0000

Perth's skyline by day (and expired 779). Taken during a boozy company lunch at The Oyster Bar in South Perth.

Grass Roots Television [6151]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 06:47:00 +0000

I swear, this picture was not taken in the 70s.

Kings Park [6000]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 11:38:00 +0000

Welcome back to P6K - Tuesday January 1, 2008 marks the project's "official" launch after some quiet, below-the-radar activity in September 2007.

This Festive Season has been an absolute blinder for Marie and I with the majority of our time spent drinking and eating way too much.

During this time, we've also had Jeff and Anne, two North American (by the way of Sydney) friends stay at our place and joining in the festivities when not sightseeing.

On the way to dinner in Northbridge tonight, we took a detour through popular observation deck, Kings Park.

While there were many people enjoying a picnic and views of Perth from the elevated vantage point, there were signs of last night's festivities strewn about the place.

Being the adventurous soul that he is, Jeff fearlessly threw himself into the debris in the name of art and posterity. God bless you my friend!

Additional information: Botanic Gardens and Park Authority

South Perth Civic Centre [6152]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:31:00 +0000

Every year, UNICEF holds its annual Save the Children Book Sale at the South Perth Civic Centre and it's always a raging success.

Prizes picked up at this year's sale included a tonne of photography tomes covering everything from SLR techniques to putting together the "perfect" portfolio, but the biggest score has to be a 1979 book exploring the fascinating world of West Australian watering holes.

It is now part of the powerful "reference library" residing on my desk at work.

Additional information: Save the Children

Victoria Park [6100]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:46:00 +0000

This is a building near my local photo lab in Vic Park.

With the heavens coming down in buckets and rain clouds colouring the landscape in varying shades of grey, the faded white exterior of this building cut a nice figure against the sky.

We spend a lot of time in Vic Park and East Vic Park.

While the suburb has been unable to avoid the Backyard Blitz that all of Perth has seemingly signed up for, there is still plenty of personality to be found up and down Albany Highway, including some fantastic eating houses such as our favourite Japanese restaurant, Senoji.

Additional information: Town of Victoria Park

Mercedes College [6000]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:08:00 +0000

Putting to one side the fact that Mercedes College is an all girls school, I don't think I could handle going to a school in the city as there'd just be too many distractions for my mind to latch on to.

At the very least, I suspect there would have been a lot more fast food in the diet and perhaps a dollar or two spent on stuff I wouldn't really have needed.

Walking past while grabbing lunch one Sunday, I noticed an empty bottle of beer in the gate.

As I arranged everything for the shot, memories of Year 10 socials and excursions to the city came flooding back.

Adolescence is always so grand in hindsight.

Additional information: Mercedes College

St Joseph's Church [6009]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:42:00 +0000

On the way to indoor soccer, I always zoom past this Heritage-listed Subiaco landmark without paying it much attention (I'm usually running a little late).

While Dad's been in hospital at St John of God across the road, I've had the chance to take a good look at the church in all its art deco beauty.

It's certainly beautiful on the outside and very reminiscent of the many churches and cathedrals I wandered through while over in Europe.

Hopefully, unlike the good doctor mentioned in this story, the people who own the property the church resides on won't get the bulldozers and wrecking balls in to make way for even more townhouses.

Additional information: St Joseph's Church Heritage listing

Mezzanine floor, Astor Cinema [6050]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 00:42:00 +0000

Keeping on the cinema theme, the Polaroid travelled up Barrack, over the bridge and a good distance up Beaufort for this shot capturing the beautiful Art Deco character of Mt Lawley's Astor Cinema.

While any trip to the cinemas feels like a night out to me, the splendour and character of wonderful old theatres like the Astor really add to the occassion, plus there's always the delicious prospect of a post-show drink to be enjoyed in one of the suburb's near-by watering holes.

Additional information: Astor Cinema

Cinema City [6000]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:38:00 +0000

Strangely, while I seldom chose Cinema City as somewhere to catch a flick at, the many restaurants that have held a tenure within the Cinema City complex throughout its long history have been regular haunts at various stages through out my life.

In Years 9 and 10, my mates and I would often get lunch on a Saturday at the McDonald's that used to be a little further down Hay Street before it relocated to the corner.

My tastebuds then matured as the $6.95 (or a buck more for dinner) all-you-can-eat at Pizza Hut became the meal of choice as I was finishing my high school years.

Lately, Jaws Cinema City was often visited for a weekend meal - a much-anticipated visit to the popular sushi restaurant on Sunday ended in disappointment as we learned that due to Cinema City renovations, the restaurant shut up shop at the end of last month.

RIP Cinema City.

Additional information: Cinema City Rocks!

National Geographic Magazines [6152]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:38:00 +0000

I don't think magazines will ever be as good as the old National Geographics that crop up at second hand book stores, garage sales and other outlets for the relics of past generations.

Turn to almost any page of a pre-90s National Geographic and lose yourself to the fantastic and evocative (yet delightfully wank-free) prose while grainy, heavily saturated and untouched-by-Photoshop photography paints a gloriously honest image of the world around us.

And how much for this armchair travel you say? The princely sum of just a dollar - sometimes even less!

Additional information: National Geographic

Bouncy Castle [6053]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:33:00 +0000

Is there any thing more fun that boys and girls of all ages can throw themselves into?

While it wasn't expressly prohibited for adults to get in on the action, I still played it safe and restrained myself from having a hop.

But a small kip in the corner I couldn't turn down - just a small one...

That sinking feeling [6152]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:49:00 +0000

Of all the rooms in the average West Australian home, I think the bathroom has to be the most under-rated.

We probably spend a lot more time than we think in there so while we're there, we may as well be comfortable.

Sadly, what you can't see in this photo are the stacks of magazines (mainly National Geographics at the moment) I keep on hand to turn visits to the WC into educational experiences.

But strangely, this reading in the toilet phenomenom is a largely guys thing - can any women shed light on why? We're just being practical and efficient males, plus isn't it a good thing that more men are reading?

James Street [6003]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:25:00 +0000

There's always something happening on James Street.

When I used to work at the Subway near Cinema Paradiso, night shifts would always be filled with colourful characters.

And if I wasn't working, you could always count on at least one interesting encounter walking between pubs on a Friday or Saturday night.

Plus during the week, wandering up and down James Street for lunch is a fantastic excuse to get out of the office for a bit.

God bless James Street!

Additional information: Northbridge Google Map

Mends Street [6152]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:01:00 +0000

South Perth's Mends Street is where I find myself spending a lot of my time.

There's an IGA there which is open seven days and most public holidays, including Australia Day where it is swamped by drunken yobs.

The Liquor Barons there has an interesting assortment of beer, wine and spirit, including big cans of Kirin which is nice.

Across the hallway from Liquor Barons is Shige - a great little Japanese restaurant.

And our local, The Windsor, is right on the corner of Mill Point and Mends, with special designated Ferrari parking a short stroll from the door.

Without a shadow of a doubt, South Perth is a neat address to live in - though the local council has found itself in plenty of bother over the years...

Additional information: City of South Perth

Manning Memorial Bowling Club [6152]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:50:00 +0000

If there's one thing that Polaroids were seemingly made for, it's taking out to parties and taking candid shots of you and your buds doing stupid things.

And if there's one thing that Fridays were seemingly destined for, it's posting candid shots of you and your buds doing stupid things.

Happy 21st to Hodgey (I can't believe I'm still going to 21sts) who chose the very convenient location of the Manning Memorial Bowling Club which is within walking distance of my parents' place.

A short stop at Wong's for some dinner, a bottle of Knappstein Reserve Lager with chicken rice for dinner and another on the way and the foundations were set for a good night out.

Perhaps not the best plan of attack with my head cold though.

Additional info: Bowls World

Lords Sports Club [6009]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:22:00 +0000

Since my coming of age, Subiaco has always enjoyed the title of Perth's suburban Crown Jewel.

In recent years, the area, particular the land around the train station, has experienced massive change, be it in buildings that have magically shot up virtually overnight and myriad facelifts throughout the up-market suburb.

But among all the cutting edge development and architecture, it's nice that the tin shed called Lords has maintained its same vanilla facade.

While it's been at least a 15 minute trek from home, Lords has long been my venue of choice for sports, from years of volleyball to Monday night social soccer and more recently, squash.

Lords is without doubt my king amongst Perth's kingdom of rec centres.

Additional information: Lords Sports Club

Foo Gwai Chinese Restaurant [6153]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 03:15:00 +0000

As an Australian Eurasian, I've enjoyed eating Asian food for as long as I can remember.

Going out for dim sum (not to be confused with the fish'n'chip staple, the dim sim) for Saturday or Sunday brunch is as normal to me as heading down to the pub for a Friday arvo drink for the blue-collar crowd.

In the past, it was mainly Asians who populated Chinese restaurants and the general vibe I got from those around me was that Asian food was "gross".

Over the years, Asian - as well as other ethnic styles of cooking - have slowly been incorporated into the West Australian diet.

Now, many a gwai lo can be seen ordering har gow and sui mai on a Saturday and Sunday morning.

Asian food has consumed en masse with open maws and fork and spoon.

Young, attractive Asian women have long been welcome by West Australian men.

Hotted up Jap sports cars aka "riceburners" are also all the rage.

I look forward to the day when Asia in general will be as accepted as the above.

Additional information: Wikipedia entry on dim sum

Papa and Mama [6056]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 01:13:00 +0000

Today is Dad's 82nd birthday.

This picture of my parents was taken on the weekend when a big group of us including Mum's sister and her family as well as my brother (who was over from Sydney for the weekend) and his girlfriend Andrea went to Lamont's in the Swan Valley for lunch.

Even with his stroke, Dad was a strong father figure in my life who was never afraid to put me in my place.

While I assumed most people in my generational set had a similar positive patriachal influence, with time I've realised that this wasn't the norm, much to society's detriment.

Here's to all the West Australian fathers with special birthday wishes to one in particular.

Additional information: Lamont's Swan Valley

The City I Call Home [6000]

noreply@blogger.com (Max Veenhuyzen) — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:51:00 +0000

This is going to be a photoblog about Western Australia, so it's fitting that the first picture should be of the state's capital city, Perth.

Like a first division Lotto winner, the city has recently come into buckets of cashola.

The word "resources boom" is being thrown around like a hot potato.

But while plenty of good times are being toasted to by bottle after bottle of champagne, others are doing it tough.

Many in my generation are coming to grips with the fact that they'll never be able to own their own home.

The backbone of this country, the farmers, are copping it in the country, both from the elements and within their own ranks as sons head for greener pastures in the city or out to the mines making lucrative amounts of money.

Economic success is being traded for moral and social consciousness under the dining table... and corporate Western Australia is writing off the cost of the boozy lunch as just another business expense.

The story of Perth involves more than metal beneath the ground and high rollers with more dollars than sense.

Additional information: City of Perth