Decay and crime in Glebe

When I first came to Sydney, I didn't know anything about Sydney - other than that shot of the Opera House in "Finding Nemo".

I had a small road map, though; rather than spending money on a taxicab, I decided to walk to Sydney Uni, using the worn rubber of my shoes to take my sightseeing. The cut through Chippendale was not inspiring, however, with the musty old warehouses and security building glaring menacingly at me.

Naturally, I got lost and was unable to find the University. Later, of course, I realized that I was actually just one block away, but was facing the wrong direction. Instead, I walked away from the University and found myself in Glebe.

The Lonely Planet's guide to Sydney talked up Glebe as a 'University village', combining the look of Cambridge, UK with a bohemian vibe. Various Sydneysiders that I've met have always adopted a dreamy, wistful look in their eyes when talking about Glebe.

I don't think any of these people have been to Glebe lately. It's currently in the middle of a death spiral, and no one seems to notice, except Glebe residents and business owners.

Living in Balmain, I walk through Glebe several times a week to get to Uni. I don't mind the walk - it gives me time for quiet reflection and thought.

Actually, I generally fantasize about having Wolverine-type claws and slashing my way through a horde of angry aliens and/or zombies. Generally, though, I look like I'm contemplating the great questions of the universe, except when I scowl and unwittingly make the 'Snikt!' sound.

Just from walking along and visiting the shops every week, I've seen the deterioration of Glebe happen before my eyes. Since Broadway Shopping Center opened up, people have taken their fistful of dollars to the big mall, which offers free parking and enough services and amenities to keep consumers consuming.

Simultaneously, Newtown has rebranded itself as the new bohemian strip, with the constant influx of students and artists giving the area its life. Restaurants are plentiful and varied, cafes, a theatre, bars - Newtown is the new Glebe.

Which means the life of Glebe is slowly being sapped away. The City of Sydney, recognizing the despair evident on the street, has pumped several million dollars into redeveloping Glebe Point Rd, in an attempt to make it more attractive and public-friendly. For the past 6 months, they've been tearing up the sidewalks and replacing it with stone tiles and trees.

Admittedly, it looks better. But the disruption to traffic and pedestrians has been enough to, perhaps, hammer the final nail in the coffin. Glebe businesses are suffering, some shutting down. The ones that are trying to stay open are barely pulling in any pedestrian traffic, except for me, and I don't have any money.

Adding to the problem is the increase in crime - it seems every week, the community paper has a new article about the growth of crime in the suburb, with troubled youths from other areas gathering to form Lil' Rascal gangs.

I see these kids almost every day. I don't blame them. It's 5:00 and they're running free, with no one to exert authority over them, no one to tell them to stop. There's enough of them that people are learning to avoid Glebe Point Rd., especially at night, and the police are essentially helpless, for some reason.

While things seem to be manageable now, I wonder what the future holds for Glebe? When these youths grow up and become strong, angry men and women, and commerce in Glebe falls further into ruin?

There's an Asian lady that runs a 7-11 on Glebe Point Rd. I think she's just recently taken over the shop. When I first went in, she was cheerful and excited to be running her business, giving me advice on how to warm up my hot dog. Several weeks later, the shop was closed, with the front door smashed. After that, whenever I go in, she seems sullen and distrustful, as if every customer might be a potential source of trouble; she watches the windows carefully, as if she thought that, if she could see the tips of a wave, she could outrun a flood.


On 20/20 Filmsight: I saw the new Indiana Jones movie, I saw a rare film noir, "Nightmare Alley", I criticized the media on how they treat celebrities, I reviewed Argento's wonderful "Suspiria" and I commented on the Third Wave and the impact of the film "The Wave".

I was interviewed and it turns out that I smell terrific!

One of my part-time jobs is writing movie reviews on 20/20 Filmsight, and it has gotten to the point now where I'm getting a fair amount of traffic. If I post an unpopular opinion, I usually get hordes of comments insulting my intelligence and sexuality. It's a nice fringe benefit.

I was interviewed by Neerav Bhatt about being a paid blogger - it was by email, which is why I sound so witty. In real life, I'm much more spluttery, though I do actually eat Kraft dinner.

It's been a long time since I posted on here. What have I been doing? Watching movies, reviewing them:

Iron Man

The Wave

The Thing

London to Brighton

Atonement is not a good movie

Despite the crazy raving by most of the English-speaking critics out there, including the reviewer I usually agree with most, Roger Ebert, - despite all of this - I hated Atonement.

My review of Atonement.

It's unfair to just curse profanities at a movie without providing any justifications, so I wrote a long, rambling post on exactly WHY I hate Atonement.

Why I hate Atonement.

Strangely, after posting this, all of the comments have been complimentary or sympathetic... I was hoping for some Keira Knightley-fans to stick up for her, or for supporters of the film to come forth.

After all, I get no end of insults for not liking "Into The Wild", or any of the Saw movies.

If you really liked Atonement, please tell me WHY!

On 20/20 Filmsight: Reviews of Knocked Up, I Served the King of England, Superbad and No Country for Old Men.