I'm back on the rails
My return to public transport. Also: Will rugby league become an Olympic sport?
After a long spell of working from home, I've recommenced commuting by public transport.
I'll let you enjoy some of the footage from my first week on and off the rails as I tell you how it all went down.
I live about 25 minutes by train from Brisbane's Central Station, which is very near my new place of work. I use the term "about" because nothing is certain when it comes to commuting.
On my very first day, the six-carriage train was reduced to three cars, meaning those of us lucky enough to squeeze on board were treated to an express trip.
Just as well, as it was standing room only.
Not so lucky were the people on the platforms we whizzed past who missed out on their regular service.
On my second day, the train home was about 20 minutes late -- and for much of that time it was unclear which platform it would depart from -- but at least I eventually got on the train and got a seat.
After a four-day week of commuting, I can't really say any of it was particularly unpleasant. Perhaps all that uncertainty will be good for me.
Here’s a video riffing off that theme. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the channel, Radio Bert, for regular, random stuff.
A LEAGUE OF OUR OWN?
Will Brisbane’s favourite spectator sport be included in our homegrown Olympics?
Well, yes — if that games world governing body has its say.
The Internation Rugby League is campaigning for the game to be granted Olympic status beginning in Brisbane in 2032.
Is league enough of a world game to qualify? According to online sources, only 17 countries have ever competed in the sport’s own World Cup, so maybe that’s not enough to get it over the line.
In any case, all of this will be confusing for Victorians, many of whom struggle to know the difference between the rugby codes. They’d no doubt be lobbying for Australian Football (once known as “Aussie rules”) to be included in Brisbane 2032. It’s a shame no other nation actually plays that game.
Fun fact: Although Rugby 7s has been played at modern Games, 15-a-side rugby union hasn’t been played since 1924. The reigning Olympic champs are the United States team, who controversially beat France at the Games, which were held in Paris.
Rugby league should at least be a demonstration sport at the 2032 Games. If that happens, it will join the games that eventually became official events — such as golf, judo and volleyball — and others that never quite caught on — including ballooning, cannon shooting, cricket, angling, roller hockey and fire-fighting.
In 1956, when the Games were held in Melbourne, the demonstration sport was the aforementioned Aussie rules.
SOUNDS LIKE HOME
A quick question for those of you who managed to get this far in the newsletter: What is the quintessential Brisbane song?