The last time I heard that was from the words of one of my favourite people in the world: (Sir) David Bowie. And now I'm saying it. Aren't I special!!

So tonight was the Commonwealth Games opening night. Today was a rather exciting day. Not a big big exciting day but there was a little buzz going on around Melbourne (also felt in Clayton... the sticks) that tonight was the start of something that our city has been preparing for for the last eight years or so. I remember when I was at the '98 Commonwealth Games held in Malaysia. I was still living there at the time and at the Golden Horses Hotel out near Sepang having dinner, I remember seeing Ron Walker walk past and there in front of me was a huge sign promoting the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. I was thinking "Wow, like that day will ever come! Wonder what things would be like for me then?" I mean, it's not everyday you'll have a world class sporting event as big as the C Games happening right in your home town. And so it struck a personal chord with me.

And so tonight I sit here just having watched the opening ceremony, which I must say was shite and a huge disappointment. I mean, I was totally expecting a lot more from Melbourne... MELBOURNE... the Arts capital of Australia. I mean, there were a few things that I liked - the flying tram with those graceful wings (how cute), and the map of the public transport system on the ground, the crazy contemporary fringe-y outfits that the dancers wore, a little tribute to Leunig, the Cat Empire, and Delta (she did a good job, okay). But really, it could have been a lot better.

Is that how we represent Melbourne? I don't really see Melbourne. Did you?

So the outfits were rather contemporary (though I could not see any punks or emos or asian pop-sicles in the crowd or slutty confused 14 year old girls) and the Ballet dancers did represent a side of the arts, but those Koalas were a bit strange and slightly out of line. I was hoping to see some ravers with their wide light reflector pants doing the well-known Melbourne Shuffle with glow sticks. Now THAT would be awesome. And what about some street artists? Or the line of traffic that the trams hold up on the roads? What about footy and meat pies? What about beer and BBQs? What about cultural diversity?? The laid back humour? The Azns, the Wogs, the Fobs!!! The cruisin' Commodore V8s, mate, and the Skylines with neons underneath! I mean, with the quality of art that we have in Melbourne we represented it poorly!

And I don't know about you but that opening ceremony just made Melbourne look like one gender confused city. Besides, I don't usually complain about opening ceremonies much (or at all) but when it comes to one from your home town, you kinda expect a lot more and you want it to represent your home REALLY WELL for the world to see. Not just some random 'just another excuse for expensive useless entertainment' performance. Puh-lease!

Oh well, there's always the closing ceremony. I want to see black skinny leg jeans and Havaianas and Supre tops! :P :P

xx