Anecdote — Body of Work — WIGHTMAN

Posts in Anecdote

It Remains Complicated

It Remains Complicated

When the news broke on August 31 1997 that Princess Diana had died, Mrs. W then Miss B and I were standing in my parents' house glued to an old Phillips television furniture piece that still required a regular visit from the repairman.

It was utterly devastating. My father wept openly. And when he did the same while watching her funeral on the same television, it was as intriguing as it was sad.

He continued, until his death, to hold Queen Elizabeth partially responsible. It was complicated.

Anecdote, Politics, ReflectionBrian Wightman18 September 2022Queen Elizabeth II, Norther, Princess Diana, death, Coronation, King Charles III, Commonwealth, Republic, Uluru Statement

#186 'Paint The Town Green'

#186 'Paint The Town Green'

The JackJumpers franchise is Tasmania's new muse. Don't worry about AFL Colours Day - that's done for now - the brand mucked around for so long that they were stung. Instead, head to the socials and check out how school kids committed to Paint the Town Green in JackJumpers colours and made the AFL green with envy in the process. Now that's a movie I would watch over and over again.

AnecdoteBrian Wightman10 May 2022basketball, JackJumpers, AFL, Josh Adams, Scott Roth, sport

#185 The Alligators and YMCA Launceston

#185 The Alligators and YMCA Launceston

Long before a Jack Jumper was a franchise and when teams of the black biting ants were more likely to require an EpiPen than hoops, Launceston's YMCA provided the boards for junior basketball.

Primary school basketball was huge in the 1980s with kids introduced by a small number of teachers who held a love of the game.

Politics, Leadership, AnecdoteBrian Wightman1 May 2022YMCA, basketball, community, JackJumpers, funding

#178 Many Rivers To Cross

#178 Many Rivers To Cross

There is a Tasmanian belief that when you capture a brushtail possum, you must take it across a river to prevent return.

And not just any Tasmanian river. Preferably a wide, voluminous, continuously flowing river which naturally creates an element of apprehension whilst also reducing the chances of rekindling the sweet, sweet smells of home.

Old world beliefs are more commonly attributed to ancient peoples such as the Celts, but these stories often make their way into far more modern takes.

AnecdoteBrian Wightman20 February 2022Brushtail possum, possum, Celtic, Celts, l, roads, traps, trapping, release

#177 The Artist Provocateur

#177 The Artist Provocateur

Tasmanians head to music concerts and art galleries and sporting events trying to escape conflict and confrontation. However, and inevitably, we are followed and stalked by discussion and debate. From festivals to AFL games to community events, we ask each other opinions on the latest announcement, conflict, or decision because these matters occupy the mainstream and social media.

For years, Tasmanian colonial art was defined by landscape paintings, literature describing landscapes, and song lyrics about landscapes. But then came Mona and we opened our eyes to provocative and outrageous art that, although we may not like, makes us think.

AnecdoteBrian Wightman14 February 2022art, artists, folk music, aboriginal, Petroglyphs, protest, cause, movement

#176 A selfie with a dairy cow

#176 A selfie with a dairy cow

Dairy cows are interesting but not worthy of a photo unless your number plate gives away your hometown and you are visiting from "The Education State", "Sunshine State", or "The Nation's Capital".

The cows, determined to "Explore the possibilities", are just as relaxed as Tasmanians in general.

But when interstate tourists take family selfies with Holstein Friesian heifers in the background you know that some things are getting back to quirky normal.

Anecdote, ReflectionBrian Wightman7 February 2022Cataract Gorge, Omicron, drowning, swimming, tourism, tourists, lockdown, dairy, dairy cows, mainlanders, Tasmania, East Coast Tasmania

#175 Shackies

#175 Shackies

Vertical boards with sump oil exterior decorating coupled with lath and plaster walls, ceiling cornice, and recycled carpet, these were the shacks that dreams were made of - a remnant of the class system where a summer crib was status.

"We're off to the shack", meant you had made it.

A simple dwelling perhaps handed down, shared, or acquired after hard-earned had been scraped together to take on a second mortgage using the family home as collateral, where friendships and making memories were life's simple pleasures.

AnecdoteBrian Wightman30 January 2022shacks, regulation, degredation, environment

#173 "You Sunk My Battleship..."

#173 "You Sunk My Battleship..."

Years ago, I traded the board games Monopoly and Battleships to my older brother for games of cricket.

They are yet to be returned.

Both games were gifted by Santa Claus, bright and shiny and full of promise with crisp cash notes distributed and naval destroyers placed in waters that would, hopefully, be undetectable to radar, sonar, and the latest ‘guessing’ technology.

Anecdote, ReflectionBrian Wightman18 January 2022cricket, board games, parenting, Monopoly, Battleships

#171 I bowled my heart out for Australia...

#171 I bowled my heart out for Australia...

On Christmas Day, in a family backyard, I bowled my heart out for Australia.

At 45 years of age, I was seven years older than the late Robert (Bob) “Dutchy” Holland OAM who debuted for the Australian Men’s Test Team, donning the baggy green for the 1984/85 series against the mighty West Indies who were the world’s cricket powerhouse of the era.

The pitch was grassy, the wickets an outdoor chair, and there were vociferous appeals bordering on unsportsmanlike conduct, particularly when there is, without question, no leg before wicket in backyard cricket.

AnecdoteBrian Wightman2 January 2022Christmas, family, cricket

Sleep...

Sleep...

I can't sleep.

I'm not feeling stressed about anything, I'm just laying wide awake struggling to locate shuteye. This is an unusual scenario. I am a good sleeper.

And whenever a lack of slumber occasionally falls my way, I get up and make a cup of tea, probably my 10th for the day.

Often tea helps even though I like it strong, and it is full of caffeine.

But I can't be bothered getting up to fill the kettle in the bathroom sink, so I continue just to lay there, moving and shifting, then trying to remain still, frustrated.

AnecdoteBrian Wightman5 September 2021sleep, Robert Falcon Scott, Ernest Shackleton, Antarctica, Endurance, library

Flat Bag

Flat Bag

"Corkscrew, hello boys, close the door," Roy taught us. "Party date, tool bag, flat bag," HG announced.

And then there were "Russians with landing problems" - for every Russian entered in the program with connotations of space exploration and the Cold War the inspiration for the humour.

"Battered sav, crazy date, spinning off the flute, twinkle in the sparkling position." I laugh as I type. "Goose - we haven't seen one of those ...," they concluded.

Anecdote, ReflectionBrian Wightman15 August 2021Olympics, gymnastics, Roy & HG, comedy, laugh

A Winter's Chair

A Winter's Chair

Sitting in a chair designed to fold adorned by winter sun with the warming glow keeping me company, I was beset with an unfamiliar realisation that I had nothing to do.

Absolutely nothing.

Nowhere to be. Nothing requiring my focus. No tasks to complete. No immediate responsibility for staff.

My family were content and healthy, and my mobile phone was out of reach.

There were caravans arranged in methodical fashion, creating shelter and privacy - not that it was needed.

Reflection, AnecdoteBrian Wightman25 July 2021camping, calm, waves, East Coast Tasmania, fire, campfire

"And the wind owes me nothing"

"And the wind owes me nothing"

At times, there is a story for every occasion. I just must remember not to tell the same one twice. At other times there is nothing.

Writing fulfils me, but I do not profess to be any good.

Writing makes me happy as much as it tends to frustrate.

Selfishly, I did not set out for people to read my column.

"Think I've nailed it this week," I proclaim to Mrs W.

"You say that every week," she laments.

And that's why readers owe me nothing.

Here's to the next 150.

Anecdote, ReflectionBrian Wightman27 June 2021writing, column, music, wind, Tasmania, basin

There is no I in Team(s)

There is no I in Team(s)

Readers - there is a relatively new way of working that has become the norm.

There are words for this type of behaviour - Zoom and Teams. Before COVID we used phones on speaker or Facetime to cater for our distant colleagues. Not anymore.

The saying goes "there is no I in Team(s)", but there is certainly one in Microsoft!

And Zoom Zoom Zoom is no longer a chant for encouraging toddlers to play with Matchbox cars nor the slogan that once reminded you to purchase a Mazda.

Sketch, AnecdoteBrian Wightman15 June 2021Microsoft Teams, Zoom, online, online meetings, grumpy

Epping Frost

Epping Frost

Winter has arrived.

Like an unwelcome knock on an old door my mood dials to tense.

I have come to dislike winter. A chill in my bones that no fleece can thaw. My legs, my toes, my joints, my nose - reacting anxiously to the enveloping dark and the gradual decrease in temperature.

Cold. Colder. Coldest.

Reflection, AnecdoteBrian Wightman6 June 2021winter, frost, driving, Hobart, Launceston, junior sport, soccer

The Green Machine

The Green Machine

It is a thirst for motor sport that dictates the attire of die-hard fans. Polyester blend fashion wear celebrating names like Mostert, De Pasquale, Davison, Whincup, and ‘Frosty’ Winterbottom are resplendent in bold print, often accompanied by flags waving in the breeze from cars parked on the hill with punters excited to watch exploits at the famous tight corner known as Brambles Hairpin.

Anecdote, ReflectionBrian Wightman2 May 2021Symons Plains, sport, motor racing, Supercars, fans, history, merchandise, Red Bull, Holden, Ford, Mustang, Camaro, Chevrolet

Sashay Your Way To Bioluminescence

Sashay Your Way To Bioluminescence

Disagreement can be positive, while conflict rarely leads to the outcomes the argument desires to solve.

A rip pushes the waves into conflict as the water rushes from the sand back out to sea, desperate to escape.

Across Australia with hot summers and warmer autumns that conflict can be dangerous, but it can also be of assistance as surfers harness the current to catch just one more wave.

But if you ever hear the call and find yourself guided by the moonlight of the night, make sure you sashay your way to bioluminescence.

Anecdote, ReflectionBrian Wightman25 April 2021perspective, bioluminescence, Bruny Island, conflict, disagreement

Searching For An Island

Searching For An Island

Perhaps this is the strategy employed by the sitting state government - call an election during a holiday period where most will be disengaged, favouring sitting candidates with name recognition.Tasmania is one of the greatest places in the world with the most stunning environments imaginable - it has taken a long time for many of us 'lifers' to accept and understand. There are gum trees, sheoaks and widow makers that capture our attention more than politics.

Anecdote, ReflectionBrian Wightman16 April 2021island, Bruny Island, campaign, election, Easter, pause

Youngsters

Youngsters

There is something very special about our young people.

Living on an island where close knit communities remain the norm, more commonly asserted as everyone knows each other, they share a bond that makes them proudly Tasmanian and fiercely loyal.

They are strong-minded and resolute and clear about democracy and injustice. Gone are the days where compliance is the most admirable quality. Questioning, expressing views, and thinking differently about challenges and issues are admired and highly sought after by employers.

Portrait, Anecdote, ReflectionBrian Wightman28 February 2021community, kids, adults, parenting, parents

Perspective

Perspective

We are a busy family often rushing from here to there and back again. Nonetheless, I strive to keep things in perspective no matter how challenging the situation.

Alas, it does not always work.

Anecdote, ReflectionBrian Wightman28 February 2021Launce, com, persp, time