Modern Life

'Sim City' was my favourite computer game back in the day. Creating a virtual city of power stations, hospitals and roads for the Sim population to inhabit.
I would always built the infrastructure but couldn't seem to attract an actual population.

Fast forward to Playstation's 'Sims 2', where the player controls Sims interactions in certain environments. I'd love to play the Playstation version but have settled for the mobile phone version.

Must say it is a pretty addictive way to spend time! Sims need your help to do everything possible but you can only control their lives inside the house.

Monday to Friday, Sims escape to work, but nothing seems to happen out there. They come home hungry, bored and unwashed.
All their interactions and networking happens in the home. Friends or strangers drop by unexpectedly or by invitation, usually after your Sim has bought a Living Room upgrade or Party Room upgrade.

Sims make friends and fall in love almost instantly after talking for only a few minutes. Next thing you know they are moving in together or married then divorced.
Most "friends" are able to get your Sim a new job. From chef to personal trainer to DJ, your Sim doesn't need a qualification to be employed just increase their skill count around the house and the job is theirs.

Keeping up their energy levels, communication, food intake, washing and toilet requirements is one thing, but they also like to have fun.

To rescue them from boredom there are plenty of at-home toys such as a guitar, arcade game machine, TV or stereo.

We do live in a material world but I wonder if this is an accurate depiction of modern life?

Is the home becoming the centre of existence or are we still relying on real-life interactions out in the community or city to balance our lives?

Big Smoke

After a weekend of education in Auckland, decided to go into the city centre for coffee before driving home.

The bright lights of the 'big little city' haven't lost their appeal and I still enjoy spending time in the music stores, bookshops, art galleries and alternative cinemas when I'm there.

Smith and Caughey department store was in yearly sale mode, so it was teeming with people in every department. Upon entry, saw bored husbands with wives deciding on whether to buy discounted talcum powder from the bargain bins and massive lines for makeovers at cosmetic counters.

Proceeding to the next floor, there were plenty of bargain hunters in the women's section, hurriedly assessing each sale rack. Venturing to the household linens/kitchenware section up on the next level, there were men pushing babies in strollers, couples buying duvets and grandmothers sizing up their next crockery purchase.

Came in on a wandering mission so moved out on to the street in search of a Saturday 5pm coffee without a sale bag. We'd just been talking about how in Auckland you hardly see anyone you know as we crossed the road to the Civic Theatre complex.

Coming across Starks Expresso Cafe and Champagne Bar, we stopped in for a mocha/flat white and stuffed date. Its a cosy fit inside but since all the tables were taken, we stepped out into the roped off street dining section. It was bitterly cold but fine with the sun setting, casting Queen Street in dull shade.

When coffee plus extra came out, it was served by the host of NZ TV show 'The Kitchen Job'. Strange after saying we hardly see anyone, what a small world it is. He wasn't in the best mood, maybe one of his waiters had let him down and he had to serve/help out.

Still it was a nice coffee and treat to end our Saturday before returning home. Next time we are in the CBD we'll be stopping by again.

Sydneysider

Upon arrival in a new city, I'm always keen to check out the basics: cinema, supermarket, public transport, different suburbs and TV channels.

When I arrived in Sydney, I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore. The sheer scale of buildings and expanse of the horizon was exciting yet so unfamiliar.

I called the backpackers at the airport and a shuttle driver picked me up with some other randoms. Crammed into a van, it was a long drive to Kings Cross. The driver took the corners at a frantic pace as we looped in and out of small side streets and suburbs dropping off passengers. Bars on building windows gave me Back to the Future 2 flashbacks.

At the backpackers, which was modest yet colourful, I hauled my suitcase up a couple of flights of narrow stairs.
My friends were on a later flight, so I had the one bunk and a bed room with a fridge to myself for the day. It was bleak and looked out to an internal light well along with the other windows.

Walking into the city, there were the usual drunk men on the street at 2 in the afternoon.

We compromised our food intake for spending money. Somehow surviving off a piece of jam toast each for breakfast and minor things for lunch and tea.

Subway stations were a new experience. People kept to the left on the escalator so others could run down or up quickly. Random cheap clothing shops operated next to the ticket counter. On subway platforms, there were vending machines and ads projecting on the walls.

TV monitors hung above listing train stops and was announced by a monotone sound recording on a loop. This was in the smaller stations of Bondi, Kings Cross and Redfern. Martin Place station was massive and multi-levelled in the city centre.

We explored Chinatown, then got lost in the Spanish quarter on our travels.
I didn't realise I relied on brands when I couldn't figure out what to buy at the mini-supermarket. Nestle seemed to have the market covered with all things dairy.

One night, we went to see 'American Splendor' and stopped at the local Indian restaurant on our way for a treat. Every night since arriving, a man had stood at the doorway with his menu, proclaiming the wonderful dishes inside.

We were seated and perused the menu with the owners' family stationed at the doorway.
Being cheap students, we decided on the $10 special.
Away went all the finery: plates, glasses and napkins. We were presented with a divided plastic dish of food and paper serviettes. It was a bit of a shock to the system, as the resident family looked on.

Being in another time zone, having an accent and not knowing the correct terminology to use in shops or bars is an adjustment. But near the end, I thought "I could live here".
Sydney had its own vibe and colour while not being too far removed from home.

Melbourne is next on the list.

city + friend

I once lived in the big city but now I live outside in a smaller one.
Suburbia and me aren't the greatest mix so as often as possible I'll liven the weekend with an impromptu trip.

I drink in the atmosphere of bright lights, signs, noise and traffic but continue to be fascinated by dark alleyways, old arcades and empty developments.

So I seek them out, question safety and have a quick look usually with a camera. There is nothing better than being in an unexpected place, where you are not meant to be.

I try and balance the nosey with normal as much as possible.
Last weekend went with my friend to her favourite spots.
I hate to pay for parking so search high, low and far for a free spot and walk/bus/train it everywhere I can before I need to rip my feet off.

We got lost in northern suburbia looking for a trademe vendor and then trying to get back into the city.
After finding a free park close to the CBD, we strolled to outlet furniture shops and encountered a random market day with stalls of cheap junk.
By bus to the next location, she bought some fabric- a roll of linen, bag of fabric and pillows stuffed into a plastic rucksack.
That was a mistake cause then we carried it everywhere, careful not to break things or hit things on our travels.
It got a bit tight at one stage in a small paper shop, you could barely swing a cat let alone linen!

We spent more time on the bus than actual stores but it was a great day with doses of caffeine.

"Next time, we have to hit all your favourite spots" she said.

Must look for some new ones on my next trip just to keep things interesting.