More Buddha birthday - Tai Chi

Originally uploaded by Brisbane Is Home.

This photo is of the Tai Chi demonstration at the NAB stage which is near the ferris wheel near the Victoria Bridge end of Southbank. There are live bands and other performances here all afternoon including karaoke at 3.30pm. There are also free meditation sessions at 2 and 4pm at the Conservatorium of Griffith University which is next to Southbank - register at the festival info booth which is near the suncorp piazza.

Buddha birthday festival on at southbank

Originally uploaded by Brisbane Is Home.

This is a picture from the Suncorp Piazza at Southbank where the Buddha bathing ritual is happening right now, as part of the Buddha birthday celebrations. There will be events all day, including performances, a fun and food fair and fireworks at 7.30 pm. Info at www.buddhabirthdayfestival.com.au

I love meat, and I want to let you know about a vegetarian restaurant in Fortitude Valley that is well worth a look, even if you love meat as much as I do.

It’s the Kuan Yin Vegetarian Tea House, on Wickham St. It’s directly opposite the end of Chinatown Mall (Duncan St - click here to see a Google Map of the exact location).

You can see the meal I had last night in the picture. It’s 100% vegetarian, and it cost me only $16. That got me:

• Taiwanese Fried “Chicken” (at the back - mildly spiced) - $5.50.
• Vegetable and Cheese Pancake - at the front - $4.50.
• ‘Simmered Eggs’ - 3 strongly flavoured eggs that had been given a dark colour when they were simmered, in halves on a plate. (I’d already eaten one when I took the photo) - $2.50
• ‘Coconut Flirtatious’ drink - a sweet, coconut flavoured drink with pieces of coconut meat in the glass - $3.50.

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I’ve just discovered the Winnie Coopers this week, and I like them. They are selfstyled geeks from the Gold Coast, 90km down the road from Brisbane, and they are playing at Uber Nightclub, 100 Boundary St West End, on Saturday night, May 5 (click here for a Google Map showing where Uber is).

From the Winnie Coopers bio page on the website:

Remember those students at school who sat down the front, finished their homework and joined the school council? Taunted. Rejected. Disillusioned. They now seek revenge in the form of the Gold Coast hip hop crew The Winnie Coopers. The project started in 2002 with founding member and vocalist The Educator and various collaborating friends. Since then, The Winnie Coopers has evolved into the current five piece line up comprised of (left to right above) Big Bad (turntables and percussion), Young Tubs (bass and vocals), The Educator, Eloquence (vocals and guitar) and Fingers Malone (drums).

As well as the main Winnie Coopers website, there’s also a Winnie Coopers myspace page where you can listen to 4 of their tracks. My favourite would have to be Eating Disorder, which starts:

The Winnie Coopers and Dizz - Don’t lock up your daughters

But lock the fridge - ‘Cause we’re ready to order

I want whipped cream on steak - you can keep your water

I have a problem - an Eating Disorder

The myspace page has also got the video for ‘Geek Manifesto’. And yes, they are named after the character from The Wonder Years.

I can smell beer being made in Brisbane!

Originally uploaded by Brisbane Is Home.

It might be a blurry photo, but if you could smell the beautiful smell of barley being roasted for beer, you would not mind at all. I am just leaving work, which is right near the famous Milton Brewery, where XXXX beer is made. (Say Four-ex). When fantasy/humour author Terry Pratchett parodied Australia in his Discworld book “The Last Continent”, he named it “FourEcks” in honour. Just wanted to let you know about one of the great smells of the city. Keep reading to see four much clearer photos of the brewery.

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