Sydney Life

About Simon (arts (advanced), 2nd year)

Whether he's leaning over a map of the Middle East, or orchestrating a working class revolt over the price of champagne and Lattés, he's Sydney's one and only Gore Vidal wannabe - Simon

Well ladies and gents, here is me in 500 words or less. I'm 19 years old, a veteran of Fort Street High School, and having successfully completed my first year, am now a second year arts (advanced) student at the University of Sydney (but of course, you already know that, otherwise you wouldn't be here).

I guess I’m what you’d describe as your typical arts student. Skinny, chronically unable to deal with bank tellers, and a zealous Marxist ready to fight for the world revolution. Kind of like Franz Ferdinand meets Che Guevara. Only joking. I am however genuine in my life long passion for learning (yes, I know I’m a nerd, I get told it often enough). History was/is/might still be my thing, particularly the Roman Empire, but currently I’m looking at doing a double major in Religious Studies and Government, with the ultimate intention of profiteering from the War on Terror. If you like politics or the theatre, I’m the guy to see. There’s nothing I like more than finishing off an afternoon of rowdy political debate with a nice showing of “The importance of being Earnest” at the local theatre co-op (so long as I can wear a tweed jacket).

Music wise, well, I guess you could describe me as eclectic. Everyone’s always on at me to update my tastes (apparently, the greatest hits of the 70s means I’m a dinosaur, but then you discover I also love Mozart and Beethoven), but realistically, so long as they aren’t playing hip hop, I’m happy. I’ve recently indulged in a secret love of the Scissor Sisters. Sportswise, I’m a soccer lad. Not that I was ever any good at it mind you, but along with Le Crosse, Hurling, Shark Hunting and debating, it’s the only sport I can watch without nodding off.

What else, what else, what else? I read a lot. This and that. I can never pin myself down to a book. Family members bemoan the fact that they’ve lost me to non-fiction, the works of Augustus or Tacitus being more meaningful to me than a good Agatha Christie novel. That said, I’ve read Harry Potter, and I’m ready to criticise JK Rowling for all she’s worth. People, let’s face it, she peaked at The Prisoner of Azkaban, and it’s been all down hill since there. Last but not least, I think you should all know: I love food and movies. Miserly as I am, they are the few things that I splurge on, and if you’re in need of a good Thai, Indian, Korean, or German restaurant on the cheap, come and speak to me, I know where to go.