'RWC Final 2011'

   This t-shirt rose to the top of the pile in a draw tidying exercise this week and represents my 50th year celebratory solo trip to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup 2011. I had never been there and was disappointed I hadn't made the trip 10-15 years earlier when I had the chance and could have taken up one of those chalk board invitations to play rugby at the local oval. Instead here I was at the Rugby World Cup third place playoff and Final plus a few days following to explore post RWC sights and sounds!!
   The whole city of Auckland was abuzz with the festivities, including the chance to follow a 'walk' from the CBD to Eden Park with signposting and bands along the way... a cultural festival!! There was a Rugby Photographic exhibit,a the local cinema and 'Burger Fuel' all within a good walk in the city... the harbour rugby zone was OK, best in quieter times with the genuine possibility of conversations with locals or tourists alike!!
   I had worked hard to lose some weight before I went and so I was tantalisingly close to some souvenir wear and bang on for t's such as this...
   I was struck by the nervousness of the All Black fans ahead of the Final v France... fair enough I guess, a two team contest of survivors and the ABs appalling RWC record since that first one in 1987... the French took it to them and didn't actually play their best... and were close but couldn't quite crack it... On Monday morning 30,000 turned out in the main part of town for a Cup Parade... it was a spectacular vibe and celebration of a folkloric win!!
 
 

"Head Injuries"

   This is one of two versions of this t-shirt that I own and is a catch up entry now into the mid 50s of my t-shirt collection!! It's not an 'original' as that went missing at some stage. My second one has the large Oils handprint on the back but this one mirrors the original signature look of the bands early years and the raw energy of a Garrett song delivery... 'Head Injuries' is part punk, part surf rock and certainly an aussie album.
   I am posting this one to be able to let people know that 'The Making of Midnight Oil' exhibition IS COMING TO NEWCASTLE!! In early 2015 BEFORE it heads to Melbourne/Canberra and taking up space at Newcastle Museum. Listen for promotion via ABC local radio as it'll be an interesting intersection between pub rock music in Newie, the earthquake and the Oils!!

The exhibition includes:
- a band merch t-shirts wall
- a full gig list
- original gig posters
- bios
- rare inages
- music
- background videos
- original handwritten lyrics
- journals, itinerary
- custumes
- instruments
- a full pub stage mock up
- the exxon protest banner
- the backdrop from the Black Fella/White Fella tour

And many more trophies, awards, tape decks, magazines and history/anecdote text

   The whole display utilises band road cases to show memorabilia which is a fitting way to show off the bits n pieces as the handprint cases are synonymous with the Oils!! I asked the curator how he broke into my house when I saw the t-shirt wall and magazine collections!! Most of mine don't fit anymore [one day!!] This t-shirt reminds me of seeing a huge band at the Bass, the Palais, Speers Point, the ISC and the old Newcastle Workers Club!! Great days!
 

"Vandelay Industries"

   'Seinfeld' is one of my all time favourite TV shows!! It's setting in New York, the humour of Larry David and the bizarre 'show about details' will make me laugh for years to come!! I also love how life is filled with 'Seinfeld moments' as the stories are so mundane and typical... the low talker, the parking space, the hire car and on it goes....
   Art Vandelay was one of George Costanza's invented characters he used in a number of tricky situations... he was in the import/export business for latex and latex related products!! I bough this t-shirt from red bubble.com but I bought my Vandelay Industries sticker from Kenny [the real] Kramer on his Seinfeld 'reality tour' in New York in 1998!! I visited the man and the stall that inspired 'The Soup Nazi' in 2000 and wow, that soup is amazing, complete with bread roll, fruit and milkshake cup of your choice of flavour... beef, jumbalaya... Everyone in the line trying not to talk or laugh about how similar the real life experience was...
   Art Vandelay was waiting for a call at Jerry's apartment, about a job, when the call came while George was in the 'bathroom' and Kramer had no idea who the caller was asking for... George ends up running into the room, pants around his ankles, spreadeagled on the floor, missing the call as Karmer hangs up!! I believe he does get George out of a tight spot at an open house inspection seeking to use the bathroom during a street parade in Manhattan!!
Vandelay was a legend!!

"Rugby" 52

   I'm too busy at the moment to keep up with t-shirt and PHOTO of the Week but here's a catch up!! This is a redbubble t that keeps my link with my favourite sport in the age of form fitting jerseys. I was complaining to someone at Rugby the other day that I have a significant collection of rugby jumpers at home... that stops at the advent of the skin tight jerseys.
   I suppose any side wants to nail the 10%ers but I'm skeptical about this development... especially as it separates the players from the punters for more than just someone like me... You won't see nearly as many old jerseys down at the pub as everyday wear.
   That said, the collection should probably be on the wall in my study, like the boxes at the old Randwick Rugby Club. Significant ones include:
- 1989 British Lions
- 1980s Steinlager All Blacks
- Ireland Cotton Traders
- ANZAC jersey
- Brumbies original Canberra Milk
- Auckland Blues Ranfurly Shield hooped jumper
- South African Springboks readmission jumper
- Baa Baas
- 1980s Wallabies Adidas jumper
- I even have a lightning strike Wallaby one...
- David Campese 50th Test try jumper

   So this t-shirt just reminds me and anyone who asks, that I love, played and coached "the game they play in heaven."