I took a break from updating this site this year, not because of laziness, but mostly because my consulting job took off and I found myself pretty busy working on design and development projects. It was bittersweet, because the one thing that I always  want to do with this blog is turn it into something with a primary focus on the USA/NYC experience.

A few months ago, realized there was no really good news source online specifically targeted towards Australians in the USA. The more people I spoke to, the more encouragement I found to do something like this. So, I partnered up with a small communications agency to work on design and development.

With that in mind, I bring you:

A website containing News, information, lifestyle and culture for Australians living, working or travelling in the USA. We’ll be launching in January 2012, but until then, feel free to sign up to receive updates via the website or on twitter, facebook, tumblr or google+

Check out UStralian.com →

From The Onion: Violent Death of Human Being Terrific News for Once

Last night’s big media event – the death of Osama Bin Laden – held significance for  many reasons.  For me, it was an ex-pat/resident of the USA (living in NYC) who tries to navigate the political topography as respectfully as possible. I cannot vote, nor was I here for that horrific event that spurred the death of one man, consequently sending people chanting into the streets.

The truth? There’s nothing like being on the streets here in NYC when something of this magnitude occurs. The last time something like this happened was the election of President Barack Obama, a night which I remember ended with people congratulating each other as they passed by on the streets. Everyone was truly happy. The other event of less political significance was the Yankees winning the 2009 world series.

I was tired last night, so I watched Brian Williams stretch the news commentary about the situation until they crossed live to the president’s address. My partner, a native New Yorker, was happy – until he realized this death might spur repercussions that have already seen us have our bags checked before subway rides, near-misses with police blockades over gas canisters outside music venues and more.

Was hunting and discriminately shooting this country’s #1 wanted man the best thing that could have happened in this situation?

My short answer: I’m really glad he’s dead. I hope it offers some solace to the families of those who died in terrorist attacks caused by his organization and those who have given their lives to fight terrorism. But doesn’t his death really just signify another martyr for an imbalanced cause that has already resulted in so much fighting and death?

They hung Saddam. They shot Bin Laden. I can’t help  but wonder how evolved we really are when it comes to war, fighting and terrorism, and whether future generations will squirm when they try to understand our generation’s concept of targeted assassination.

This one came to me via a friend on facebook. James Gulliver Hancock is an Australian illustrator, currently based in New York, attempting to draw every building in New York City. They’re all drawn in his own whimsical style and are just adorable. Plus, yay, Greenpoint! The Pencil Factory is included.

He has prints available, and I quite possibly may need to purchase some for my new workspace. Check it out here

Living here, one of the things that really opened my little naive Australian eyes was that there are so many people who move here to be cool. To be with the “in” crowd. To develop an innate sense of entitlement. (And yes – the same can be said of LA or San Francisco or any other big city – but since I live in New York and I’ve developed an untimely sense of nostalgia about this city in my less-than-three years here, I shall hop onto my soapbox for a minute.)

I first heard about Don Hill’s in my first weeks living in NYC. At the Tribeca film festival in 2008, I saw Squeezebox The Movie!, a documentary about a rock-’n-roll drag night at Don Hill’s back in the 90s. It was all-inclusive and as the film continued to assert, it was a place where anything went and anyone was welcome, no matter how weird or different.

I went to a couple of parties at Don Hill’s during my first year in NYC. The most memorable was the  “Panty Party”, even though I didn’t dare wear anything to0 revealing, where I enjoyed dancing to The Cure with a tranvestite from Connecticut who was going to sleep in his car that night (even though this took place sometime in November). I didn’t feel weird, I wasn’t out of place, and it was really fun.

I’m sad to say that those days are over.

Recently, Paul Sevigny “took over” and the place has become a mecca for the hot, stylish and famous. Don’t believe me? Seriously, It’s All About Don Hill’s.

The articles linked above pay absolutely no mind to the fact that Don Hill’s was a place to enjoy way before the current party set took it over. If Paul’s darling sister Chloe Sevigny thinks it’s the new Beatrice, there’s no way in hell anyone like you or I will be enjoying that place anytime soon.

You watch. Next thing you know, Mars Bar will be cordoned off by a velvet rope. I guess experiencing this over and over might be the thing that makes you real New Yorkers so jaded.

I just came across this whilst browsing the archives of the very fabulous Ministry of Type.

“Up There” is a documentary based on the work of the very few painters who still create hand-painted signage on buildings, often mostly in New York and LA (I imagine this is because of visibility and budget for such things don’t exist in other cities). It’s beautifully filmed – a great stage to tell the story of an artform that is quickly becoming obsolete as digitally printed vinyl takes over.

When I was living in midtown Manhattan, I used to marvel at a sign for Patron tequila  a few blocks from my apartment (this one, courtesy of flickr user “n8dawg412″). The fact that it was obviously hand-painted just seemed so impossible to me. I mean, it was huge. I couldn’t even begin to fathom the work that went into it – even though I saw it slowly taking shape  over the course of a number of weeks.

UP THERE from Jon on Vimeo.

I’m proud to announce that boubouki, a healthy fresh greek takeaway store in the Essex market is on the eve of opening. I was really happy to help my friend Rona with  branding, website, design and some signage for the store (still in production!) . Take a look at what’s for offer and please go down and visit.

Pretty sure this was not the intended effect, but if you stare at this for too long it starts moving. Kind of awesome.  (via gbh.tv)

(not that I’m affiliated with this thing whatsoever, but in the interest of being a kind person, you can click on the poster to RSVP)

It’s officially summer in NYC, and I know because the Pool Parties are back in action.

Only this year, they’re not actually at a pool, since McCarren Pool has closed to be restored to it’s former glory as – you guessed it – a pool.

Last year, this Sunday ritual was the absolute highlight of my summer, so exploring the new location at the Williamsburg waterfront was met with mixed feelings. The result: breeze, check. Manhattan views, check. Great bands, check. Dodgeball, check.

The existence of a beer section and the inability to sit and enjoy the outdoors with decent sitelines (while sipping on beer) are probably the most disappointing element. The pool had a more communal feel – we sat in the same spot weekly, and most everyone knew we’d be there. Our large groups of sometimes 20+ people made summer a fun group activity. This past week felt a little more disjointed. Still, congrats JellyNYC for doing so much with the space available. I’ll definitely be heading to the pool parties this year weekly, and the summerscreen at McCarren Park, too (equipped with special bottles of sprite).

Review: JellyNYC pool parties @ threedollardrinks