You Can't Always Get What You Want

It was an overcast type of day with mediocre city touring.  It was off and on rain for most of the day, with blue sky breaks here and there.  However, Mother Nature didn’t get the best of me as I had shades and umbrella in tow for my sojourn. Ha!

First, I headed down to the Docklands/Southbank/Victoria Harbour area.  Here again is another example of how a waterfront can be beautiful.  Toronto should take some lessons.  Although I understand Melbournites are also accustom to the slow moving train of development and gentrification.  

Etihad Stadium

The Docklands was a little sparse at times, but mixed use development was par for the course with outdoor retail promenades, condos and numerous food stops stemming from old port buildings.  It is also home to Etihad Stadium, which serves as host for many Aussie Rules Football games.  

Southbank was a little nicer and I’ll be cycling down that way alongside the Yarra River.   I strolled by the Crown Casino as well.  As the rain fell a little heavier I dipped into the poker room and contemplated entering the midday tourney, but there was limited interest so I moved on.  The Casino is quite ritzy featuring the likes of Prada and Louis Vuitton shoppes as well as numerous restaurants and cafes with patios along the Yarra.  Nice scene, but pricey sites for eats. 

After a quick pit stop at South Cross Station Mall, I opted to hop the tram to Richmond, which is past East Melbourne.  Blah.  Think Long Branch.  I was gonna try to head over to South Yarra, but blue skies teased me into heading back to St. Kilda to catch a ride.  However, Mother Nature got the last laugh, by time I arrived dark cumulus clouds rolled in and showers ensued.  Frustration grows.  Ah well, rest up for the show tonight.

Figuring where to get my rations for the day as couple of candy bars haven’t quite done enough, although Cherry Ripe is yummy.  Think cherry flavoured Bounty.  Cadbury Boost and Picnic were ok too.  The latter was like eating a Mr. Big with almonds. 

Then the wind began to howl and the skies opened up for a good hour plus.  There were sheets of rain, visibility zero.  Wow.  The weather here sure is volatile. My balcony door sprung a leak, weak threshold.  Extra towels and blow dryer to ease the mini flood. 

It should be clearing up by 9p, if you place faith in the forecast.  That’s an hour from now. I hope so. I need to eat before getting my groove on.  Doors open at 8:30p, but Aloe doesn’t hit the stage until 10ish, followed by Benji B, a BBC DJ who looks like he’ll be spinning wicked beats until the wee hours of the morning. Hip hop, broken beats soul and dub. Sweet! Wajeed is playing beforehand, but the Detroit hip-hop scene ain’t my thang.

  

Ohh! Tic tacs, if only.  Maybe there’ll be goods for purchase at the event.