Saturday, October 30, 2004
Another in my flowering season series - coloured frangipani trees abound!
This perfect day
Today I had the best day so I'm bringing it to you in detail. It might sound a little slow; a little boring to you, but think and imagine while you read and see if you can feel the peace; the simple pleasure of my life.
I got up at 10am. Okay, this is self-indulgent I know, but it was a really good, restful sleep.
After taking a cup of tea and my latest girlie novel to my balcony, I sat for an hour or so, reading, listening to the birds, marvelling at the clear sky after the hugest electrical storm last night. Checking out the debris of fallen palm fronds and broken branches in the park opposite and watching a pair of brilliantly coloured dollar birds defending their nest against all comers.
I gave the unit a leisurely sweep, decided against putting on a load of washing and set off to do a couple of shopping chores and visit the local markets for brunch.
A strong espresso and a prawn kebab later I was chatting and laughing with On, my favourite Thai masseuse, while she gave me a 20 minute (for the price of 10 minute) neck massage. Then across to buy a seafood Laksa (a bargain at $5.50) to take home, and a milkshake sized fresh lime, watermelon, mango, pineapple and orange juice blended with ice to drink while I checked out the other stalls. The lovely young Thai girl who always makes my juice gives me a 50c discount on the regular price of that.
I found ripe Irwin mangoes (my absolute favourite and only available for a few short weeks), bought a kilo and got an extra one 'thrown in' while I was chatting to the grower about last night's damaging storm.
Then I found a wonderful hand-made Christmas gift and once again, had a nice chat to the gorgeous young man who travels around Australia with his fantastic creations, selling them at festivals. Darwin is his dry season home and he's off this week to Adelaide and Melbourne for the summer.
Bought a couple of canvases on the way home just in case I feel creative tomorrow.
Then home to enjoy the special buzz of the spicy laksa before a long chat to my mum on the phone while I did a couple of week's ironing.
Another relaxing read and a cuppa on the balcony before I took off in the sunset for a long walk, listening to a wonderful indigenous art program on radio national while I walked and stopped every now and again to take photos.
Watched a program about Queen Victoria on TV while I made (and ate) a self-indulgent dinner of steamed fresh asparagus with fresh pane de casa bread and sharp cheddar cheese on the side, topped off nicely by two glasses of merlot and a couple of cool water.
The temperature is blood heat now with a cool breeze and I'm at my computer, chatting to you my loyal readers.
That's my perfect day. Hope yours was just as nice.
I got up at 10am. Okay, this is self-indulgent I know, but it was a really good, restful sleep.
After taking a cup of tea and my latest girlie novel to my balcony, I sat for an hour or so, reading, listening to the birds, marvelling at the clear sky after the hugest electrical storm last night. Checking out the debris of fallen palm fronds and broken branches in the park opposite and watching a pair of brilliantly coloured dollar birds defending their nest against all comers.
I gave the unit a leisurely sweep, decided against putting on a load of washing and set off to do a couple of shopping chores and visit the local markets for brunch.
A strong espresso and a prawn kebab later I was chatting and laughing with On, my favourite Thai masseuse, while she gave me a 20 minute (for the price of 10 minute) neck massage. Then across to buy a seafood Laksa (a bargain at $5.50) to take home, and a milkshake sized fresh lime, watermelon, mango, pineapple and orange juice blended with ice to drink while I checked out the other stalls. The lovely young Thai girl who always makes my juice gives me a 50c discount on the regular price of that.
I found ripe Irwin mangoes (my absolute favourite and only available for a few short weeks), bought a kilo and got an extra one 'thrown in' while I was chatting to the grower about last night's damaging storm.
Then I found a wonderful hand-made Christmas gift and once again, had a nice chat to the gorgeous young man who travels around Australia with his fantastic creations, selling them at festivals. Darwin is his dry season home and he's off this week to Adelaide and Melbourne for the summer.
Bought a couple of canvases on the way home just in case I feel creative tomorrow.
Then home to enjoy the special buzz of the spicy laksa before a long chat to my mum on the phone while I did a couple of week's ironing.
Another relaxing read and a cuppa on the balcony before I took off in the sunset for a long walk, listening to a wonderful indigenous art program on radio national while I walked and stopped every now and again to take photos.
Watched a program about Queen Victoria on TV while I made (and ate) a self-indulgent dinner of steamed fresh asparagus with fresh pane de casa bread and sharp cheddar cheese on the side, topped off nicely by two glasses of merlot and a couple of cool water.
The temperature is blood heat now with a cool breeze and I'm at my computer, chatting to you my loyal readers.
That's my perfect day. Hope yours was just as nice.
Build up to wet season - sunset walk Nightcliff jetty
Darwin from the outside in
An internet friend sent me this joke about Darwin.
Some Darwin etiquette tips...
In General...
1. Never take a beer to an interview.
2. Always identify people in your yard before shooting them.
3. It's considered tacky to take a cooler to church.
4. If you have to vacuum the bed, it's time to change the sheets.
5. Even if you're certain that you're included in the will, it's rude to drive a U-haul to a funeral.
Dining Out:
1. When decanting the wine from the box, make sure you tilt the paper cup and pour slowly so as not to 'bruise' the fruit of the wine.
2. If drinking directly from the bottle, always hold it with your hands. Entertaining in your home:
1. A centerpiece for the table should never be anything prepared by a taxidermist.
2. Do not allow the dog to eat at the table, no matter how good his manners are.
Personal Hygiene:
1. While ears need to be cleaned regularly, this job should be done in private using one's own truck keys.
2. Even if you live alone, deodorant is not a waste of money.
3. Use of proper toiletries can only delay bathing for a few days.
4. Dirt and grease under the fingernails is a social no-no, as they tend to distract from a woman's jewellery, and alter the taste of finger foods.
Dating: (outside the family)
1. Always offer to bait your date's hook, especially on the first date.
Theatre Etiquette:
1. Crying babies should be taken to the lobby and picked up immediately after the movie has ended.
2. Refrain from talking to the characters on the screen... Tests have proven that they can't hear you.
Weddings:
1. Livestock usually is a poor choice for a wedding gift.
2. Kissing the bride for more than 5 seconds might get you shot.
3. For the groom, at least, rent a tuxedo. A leisure suit with a cummerbund and a clean bowling shirt can create a tacky appearance.
4. Though uncomfortable, say 'yes' to socks and shoes for this special occasion.
Driving Etiquette:
1. Dim your headlights for approaching vehicles, even if the gun is loaded and the buff is in sight.
2. When approaching a four way stop, the vehicle with the largest tires does not always have the right of way.
3. Never tow another car using panty hose and duct tape.
4. When sending your wife down the road with a gas can, it is impolite to ask her to bring back beer too.
5. Do not lay rubber while traveling in a funeral possession.
...and I answered my friend:
The really sad thing is that you think this is a joke. It's all gloriously true.
On my first Sunday in Darwin, we walked through deserted streets- in just the kind of heat and humidity we had today- to the Supreme Court where there was a play reading happening. It is a wonderful building and the reading was held in a courtroom. The crowd was fairly high-brow by Darwin standards and sitting two rows in front was a woman of a certain age, sporting clipped grey hair, an upmarket silk outfit, perfectly accessorised- in a somewhat offbeat style.
At interval, she turned and waved to people in the row behind us, then proceeded to climb over the intervening rows of seats to join them. She was not wearing shoes.
I still treasure that picture as my enduring impression of Darwin society and I knew right away I would love this place.
Some Darwin etiquette tips...
In General...
1. Never take a beer to an interview.
2. Always identify people in your yard before shooting them.
3. It's considered tacky to take a cooler to church.
4. If you have to vacuum the bed, it's time to change the sheets.
5. Even if you're certain that you're included in the will, it's rude to drive a U-haul to a funeral.
Dining Out:
1. When decanting the wine from the box, make sure you tilt the paper cup and pour slowly so as not to 'bruise' the fruit of the wine.
2. If drinking directly from the bottle, always hold it with your hands. Entertaining in your home:
1. A centerpiece for the table should never be anything prepared by a taxidermist.
2. Do not allow the dog to eat at the table, no matter how good his manners are.
Personal Hygiene:
1. While ears need to be cleaned regularly, this job should be done in private using one's own truck keys.
2. Even if you live alone, deodorant is not a waste of money.
3. Use of proper toiletries can only delay bathing for a few days.
4. Dirt and grease under the fingernails is a social no-no, as they tend to distract from a woman's jewellery, and alter the taste of finger foods.
Dating: (outside the family)
1. Always offer to bait your date's hook, especially on the first date.
Theatre Etiquette:
1. Crying babies should be taken to the lobby and picked up immediately after the movie has ended.
2. Refrain from talking to the characters on the screen... Tests have proven that they can't hear you.
Weddings:
1. Livestock usually is a poor choice for a wedding gift.
2. Kissing the bride for more than 5 seconds might get you shot.
3. For the groom, at least, rent a tuxedo. A leisure suit with a cummerbund and a clean bowling shirt can create a tacky appearance.
4. Though uncomfortable, say 'yes' to socks and shoes for this special occasion.
Driving Etiquette:
1. Dim your headlights for approaching vehicles, even if the gun is loaded and the buff is in sight.
2. When approaching a four way stop, the vehicle with the largest tires does not always have the right of way.
3. Never tow another car using panty hose and duct tape.
4. When sending your wife down the road with a gas can, it is impolite to ask her to bring back beer too.
5. Do not lay rubber while traveling in a funeral possession.
...and I answered my friend:
The really sad thing is that you think this is a joke. It's all gloriously true.
On my first Sunday in Darwin, we walked through deserted streets- in just the kind of heat and humidity we had today- to the Supreme Court where there was a play reading happening. It is a wonderful building and the reading was held in a courtroom. The crowd was fairly high-brow by Darwin standards and sitting two rows in front was a woman of a certain age, sporting clipped grey hair, an upmarket silk outfit, perfectly accessorised- in a somewhat offbeat style.
At interval, she turned and waved to people in the row behind us, then proceeded to climb over the intervening rows of seats to join them. She was not wearing shoes.
I still treasure that picture as my enduring impression of Darwin society and I knew right away I would love this place.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
laughing
There is absolutely nothing I enjoy more than a good laugh and I absolutely must tell you about a blog I visit that never fails to give me a real "laugh out loud" laugh.
Mellipop is caustic and irreverant and sometimes rude, and if you are easily offended or unduly sensitive then maybe it's not for you, but oh the joy of that belly laugh when Mel brings on her punch-line. She's brutally honest and her writing is so crisp; so spare.
She's a young woman in a new city and she has an opinion about absolutely everything. She's as refreshing as a fresh lime juice on a humid Darwin day. Check her out and let me know what you think.
I can't believe she is not writing a daily column for a national newspaper - either here or in the USA.
Mellipop is caustic and irreverant and sometimes rude, and if you are easily offended or unduly sensitive then maybe it's not for you, but oh the joy of that belly laugh when Mel brings on her punch-line. She's brutally honest and her writing is so crisp; so spare.
She's a young woman in a new city and she has an opinion about absolutely everything. She's as refreshing as a fresh lime juice on a humid Darwin day. Check her out and let me know what you think.
I can't believe she is not writing a daily column for a national newspaper - either here or in the USA.
Losing
It may seem of small consequence when you think of the emotional pain involved, but many people complain of the property they have lost when a long-term relationship breaks down. Maybe it's a symptom. Something concrete to complain about when feelings are just too painful or too personal to discuss.
The record collection is a biggie. Family photographs; holiday souvenirs of emotional significance to both parties; furniture, once shared that has to be replaced by at least one party. But I'm here to tell you that, with three significant relationship break-ups in my history, and although I've lost many valued items in the process, the one that strikes me most is that I always end up losing the damn tools! Just 'cause he's a man he seems to think the tools are his! Maybe he used to use them the most - or maybe he didn't, but somehow, the tools always stay on the male side of the break-up ledger.
I'm not a big 'tools' person. But everyone needs a couple of screwdrivers, a hammer, a pair of pliers or two and some kind of saw - not to mention glue, picture hooks and all those other bits and pieces that in my house always occupy the third drawer in the kitchen. And the one that cripples me the most is the shifting spanner. They are pretty expensive for what they are and so far I've lost 4 medium size, 1 small size and a bloody whopper I got for fixing the kitchen drain!
Oh well - back to the hardware store!
The record collection is a biggie. Family photographs; holiday souvenirs of emotional significance to both parties; furniture, once shared that has to be replaced by at least one party. But I'm here to tell you that, with three significant relationship break-ups in my history, and although I've lost many valued items in the process, the one that strikes me most is that I always end up losing the damn tools! Just 'cause he's a man he seems to think the tools are his! Maybe he used to use them the most - or maybe he didn't, but somehow, the tools always stay on the male side of the break-up ledger.
I'm not a big 'tools' person. But everyone needs a couple of screwdrivers, a hammer, a pair of pliers or two and some kind of saw - not to mention glue, picture hooks and all those other bits and pieces that in my house always occupy the third drawer in the kitchen. And the one that cripples me the most is the shifting spanner. They are pretty expensive for what they are and so far I've lost 4 medium size, 1 small size and a bloody whopper I got for fixing the kitchen drain!
Oh well - back to the hardware store!
Tonight's creation - an arrangement in a box.$10 worth of flowers transformed into a $60 arrangement. It's so nice having fresh flowers in the house every week!
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Here's another of Darwin's beautiful array of flowering trees - a riot of colour lining every street in the build-up to the wet season.
Frogger
I read the other day that frogs are a litmus test for the health of the planet and the fact that they are reducing in numbers and various species are becoming endangered or extinct is a worrying pointer to mankind's future.
I've written about my friend the frog before, and here you will also find a link to a wonderful frog story at Cynical Rantings, but after last week's froggy experience, I can't really take seriously the concept of frogs' health mirroring the health of the planet.
At my workplace, a green tree frog has taken up residence inside the ladies toilet, and I don't mean inside the toilet area or the toilet stall, I mean inside the toilet! It's been there for two weeks. Mostly it's inside the bowl, which is kind of disconcerting when you have to sit. That feeling of being watched; waiting for something more substantial than a splash to land in a most vulnerable place! Sometimes it's inside the bowl but hidden under the rim - that's not too bad because you can pretend it must have gone away. But just when you think it's safe to go to the toilet, having not seen frogger for a day or so, you lean over to wash your hands at the basin, and there it is, sitting in the plug-hole.
Several animal-lovers have removed frogger to a safe site outside the building, only to have him appear again - back in his favoured location- the next day. I don't know how he gets back in because the door is always closed.
Lots of people use that toilet, so I reckon frogger has been subjected to about a thousand litres of bodily wastes at this stage, and he's still hopping. Maybe, if frogs are dying out because of pollution, we should be more scared than we realise!
I've written about my friend the frog before, and here you will also find a link to a wonderful frog story at Cynical Rantings, but after last week's froggy experience, I can't really take seriously the concept of frogs' health mirroring the health of the planet.
At my workplace, a green tree frog has taken up residence inside the ladies toilet, and I don't mean inside the toilet area or the toilet stall, I mean inside the toilet! It's been there for two weeks. Mostly it's inside the bowl, which is kind of disconcerting when you have to sit. That feeling of being watched; waiting for something more substantial than a splash to land in a most vulnerable place! Sometimes it's inside the bowl but hidden under the rim - that's not too bad because you can pretend it must have gone away. But just when you think it's safe to go to the toilet, having not seen frogger for a day or so, you lean over to wash your hands at the basin, and there it is, sitting in the plug-hole.
Several animal-lovers have removed frogger to a safe site outside the building, only to have him appear again - back in his favoured location- the next day. I don't know how he gets back in because the door is always closed.
Lots of people use that toilet, so I reckon frogger has been subjected to about a thousand litres of bodily wastes at this stage, and he's still hopping. Maybe, if frogs are dying out because of pollution, we should be more scared than we realise!
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Tonight's floral creation from evening college - a spring bouquet. Now Melli before you ask, yes of course I'll make your wedding bouquet and the gumnut earings to go with the ethereal, chiffon, handkerchief skirt dress!
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Wednesdays
I lurve Wednesdays! Wednesday is my day off. I work a 4 day week which is somewhat limiting on the pocket but vastly liberating on my life.
Wednesday is like an extra day added to my life. On Wednesdays I can do whatever I like, whenever I like. Wherever possible I just don't plan anything. This means I can do exactly what I feel like doing at any given moment. If I'm feeling a bit off, I sometimes just stay home and read a book, look at the sky, maybe do a load of washing, maybe fiddle around in blog-land.
If I need to make an appointment of the doctor, dentist variety, then I can make one for a time that suits me - usually late morning- rather than taking whatever is available on an appointment-rich weekend day.
It's good for shopping too. Instead of knowing I absolutely must get to the grocery store before I succumb to starvation or must rush out to three stores to buy birthday gifts, replace broken items of household paraphernalia etc I can choose to do or not to do some of these things on my 'extra' day.
I can take my time paying the bills and not rush on and off the internet and the phone, all the time grabbing for the information I've left in another room - take it slowly, be methodical.
And at the end of the day, when I'm feeling too guilty and sluggish for words, because I've 'wasted' the day, I still have the energy to go for a brisk walk across the tidal flats or along the foreshore without dragging my work-weary bones to do it because I should!
Wednesday is like an extra day added to my life. On Wednesdays I can do whatever I like, whenever I like. Wherever possible I just don't plan anything. This means I can do exactly what I feel like doing at any given moment. If I'm feeling a bit off, I sometimes just stay home and read a book, look at the sky, maybe do a load of washing, maybe fiddle around in blog-land.
If I need to make an appointment of the doctor, dentist variety, then I can make one for a time that suits me - usually late morning- rather than taking whatever is available on an appointment-rich weekend day.
It's good for shopping too. Instead of knowing I absolutely must get to the grocery store before I succumb to starvation or must rush out to three stores to buy birthday gifts, replace broken items of household paraphernalia etc I can choose to do or not to do some of these things on my 'extra' day.
I can take my time paying the bills and not rush on and off the internet and the phone, all the time grabbing for the information I've left in another room - take it slowly, be methodical.
And at the end of the day, when I'm feeling too guilty and sluggish for words, because I've 'wasted' the day, I still have the energy to go for a brisk walk across the tidal flats or along the foreshore without dragging my work-weary bones to do it because I should!
Poinciana tree reaches for clouds! The huge seed pods are almost as spectacular as the feathery folliage and the brilliant flowers
Animals
Yesterday I saw a 3 foot goanna being pursued across a road by a vengeful plover - wish I could have got a photo to share with you. The poor goanna was running for its life, casting anxious glances skyward over its shoulder while the plover screeched, dived and pecked at it. It was a very funny sight in a sad kind of way. If you've ever seen a pee-wee chasing an eagle, you'll get the picture and the drama. Brave things little birds aren't they? Mind you, plovers have the most vicious spurs or spikes on their wings. A photographer friend showed me some close-ups he'd taken of a plover trying to attack him and I tell you what, I wouldn't have been staying around to take the photos.
Last night -in the wee small hours when I contemplate life from my first floor balcony- a black cat crossed my path. Well I was sitting and the cat walked along the footpath across my line of vision. Does that count? Hope not, 2004 hasn't been a great year so far and I don't want any more bad luck. Fortunately I haven't broken any mirrors or walked under any ladders lately.
There is something about a black cat in the dark; a deeper shadow moving noiselessly into the light, stalking, proud as a queen- she owns the night.
Last night -in the wee small hours when I contemplate life from my first floor balcony- a black cat crossed my path. Well I was sitting and the cat walked along the footpath across my line of vision. Does that count? Hope not, 2004 hasn't been a great year so far and I don't want any more bad luck. Fortunately I haven't broken any mirrors or walked under any ladders lately.
There is something about a black cat in the dark; a deeper shadow moving noiselessly into the light, stalking, proud as a queen- she owns the night.
Sunday, October 17, 2004
patterned beads
making beads
In an excess of creativity this week, I joined a bead-making workshop on Saturday. Using that faux clay you can buy from art supply shops in all colours of the rainbow and which can, unlike the natural alternative, be baked to fired hardness in a home oven, we learned to make patterned beads. I'm posting a picture of my creations. Now all I need to do is work out how to string them into necklaces and I've got all my Christmas present problems solved!
Wet season rolling in - tide going out
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Floral arrangement. Unfortunately the pot looks blue in the picture but it really is deep purple. The other colours are true.
Flower arranging
Yes folks, your humble correspondent has taken up an evening course - not as you may think in something mind-expanding or work-related, but in the simple art of flower arranging.
I made myself a promise, or a goal if you wish, that I would enhance my newly single and therefore fairly lonely life by joining up to a course. Something I haven't done for the past 20 years. On close examination, almost everything on offer seemed to require a lot of study - foreign languages or musical instruments, talent - singing, or sitting at a computer, which I already do all day. The various forms of art were tempting, but I've done stuff with drawing and painting before and I wanted a new challenge. There were a few sewing-related ones on offer - patchwork, fashion design- but I'm allergic to anything that requires handling a needle- and there, right before my eyes was the exact thing I'd been looking for - flower arranging.
Now I've been arranging flowers in home vases for years and even helped a florist friend make dried floral arrangements for orders she had, way back when, but learning the tricks of flower arranging and working with fresh flowers, well it's always interested me and flowers are so beautiful and peaceful.
I must say I was a bit concerned that it was a rather 'elderly' thing to do, but tonight, newly purchased secateurs and note-pad in hand I fronted up to the eveing college.
It was great. I loved it. We used beautiful tropical flowers to make a 'modern, formal arrangement in a pot'. The teacher was young, German and lots of fun. The other women were all nice and mostly under 40. All the bits and pieces, flowers etc were supplied and best of all, we got to bring home our creation at the end of the evening.
Can't wait till next week - I think we are making a bouquet!
I'll post a picture of my creation now. The flowers are heliconia and bee-hive ginger, and I love my purple pot with the red ribbon.
If you've been thinking of taking a night course - go for it. I can't wait till next Thursday!
I made myself a promise, or a goal if you wish, that I would enhance my newly single and therefore fairly lonely life by joining up to a course. Something I haven't done for the past 20 years. On close examination, almost everything on offer seemed to require a lot of study - foreign languages or musical instruments, talent - singing, or sitting at a computer, which I already do all day. The various forms of art were tempting, but I've done stuff with drawing and painting before and I wanted a new challenge. There were a few sewing-related ones on offer - patchwork, fashion design- but I'm allergic to anything that requires handling a needle- and there, right before my eyes was the exact thing I'd been looking for - flower arranging.
Now I've been arranging flowers in home vases for years and even helped a florist friend make dried floral arrangements for orders she had, way back when, but learning the tricks of flower arranging and working with fresh flowers, well it's always interested me and flowers are so beautiful and peaceful.
I must say I was a bit concerned that it was a rather 'elderly' thing to do, but tonight, newly purchased secateurs and note-pad in hand I fronted up to the eveing college.
It was great. I loved it. We used beautiful tropical flowers to make a 'modern, formal arrangement in a pot'. The teacher was young, German and lots of fun. The other women were all nice and mostly under 40. All the bits and pieces, flowers etc were supplied and best of all, we got to bring home our creation at the end of the evening.
Can't wait till next week - I think we are making a bouquet!
I'll post a picture of my creation now. The flowers are heliconia and bee-hive ginger, and I love my purple pot with the red ribbon.
If you've been thinking of taking a night course - go for it. I can't wait till next Thursday!
Time Warps
I find it difficult to come to terms with the relativity of time - the fact that it's not absolute. You know, it's midnight now, that's by the clock and that's definite - but it's only midnight here in central Australian time, in other parts of the world it's some other time; hell, it's even another time in different parts of this country.
But it's not so much that which bothers me. It's that time feels different. So, even though it's midnight here, if I went out tonight for a couple of hours, or had dinner earlier or later than usual, then it might feel like eleven o'clock or ten o'clock. Then there's that other thing, when you look at your watch and 'can't believe it's already x time' - where did those hours go - it feels like 2 hours earlier.
Worst of all is when you've been travelling by plane. I have to keep metaphorically pinching myself and reminding myself that yes, I did wake up in Sydney this morning and it is the same day and I am now 3,000 kilometres north in Darwin.
But it's not so much that which bothers me. It's that time feels different. So, even though it's midnight here, if I went out tonight for a couple of hours, or had dinner earlier or later than usual, then it might feel like eleven o'clock or ten o'clock. Then there's that other thing, when you look at your watch and 'can't believe it's already x time' - where did those hours go - it feels like 2 hours earlier.
Worst of all is when you've been travelling by plane. I have to keep metaphorically pinching myself and reminding myself that yes, I did wake up in Sydney this morning and it is the same day and I am now 3,000 kilometres north in Darwin.
The blue/grey of these palms always astounds me
Specially for Tech, I've taken some flower and tree pictures from around here. Don't know what this tree is called. All the trees seem to flower around now, just before the wet comes to germinate the seeds I guess.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Blog Safari
Harmless has started up an interactive way to tell other people about blogs you found that you'd like to share. I'm not a great blog-trawler, mainly because it takes me all my time to keep up with my own blog, the blogs I'm already linked to and personal correspondence, however, recently I did find a blog I liked very much, not least because you can get a lot of thought out of a very little reading time. So, my first recommendation for Week 1 of Blog Safari is One million footnotes - one liners that touch your heart. Hope you have time to check out both Blog Safari and One million footnotes.
Bloggers, thinkings and MSG
Blog visitors: Hello to all my new blogger friends, either map-pinners or commenters. It's so great to have this two-way dialogue. Check out these latest links - Frenzied feline who is a self-confessed right-wing conservative from the USA (but we won't hold that against her) - she gives you a peek into community life in her part of the world and posts some great photos as well on her photo blog. Two other recent visitors are Erudite Redneck; and Bullish, posting from Manilla - welcome guys.
Thinking: Does anybody know whether "Dolly" is a real girl's Christian name, or is it a nick-name or common abbreviation for some other name - in the same way as Nell was a common abbreviation of Helen in my parents' generation?
Malls: I've been having an enjoyable comments dialogue with Frenzied feline about malls and must say I do agree with her final assertion that they don't put enough doors in malls - so you always end up passing a lot more shops -with more opportunities to spend- than you need to while searching for an exit.
MSG: I think I have an allergy to MSG. Occasionally I wake up with a headache, dry eyes and nausea and can't figure out why until I realise I have eaten something the previous evening that may have contained MSG. Artificial sweetener has a similar (though much more instantaneous effect). Since I rarely feel unwell at all, I have to put this down to something. Last night I attended the opening of a student art exhibition at the local Uni. There was lots of tempting finger/dippy type food on offer, in which I obviously over-indulged. I'm guessing some of those yummy foods containing Thai sweet chilli sauce or salsa might have had the odd splash of MSG on board. Do any of you have food allergies that cause such obvious reactions (without being of the swell up and almost die kind of obvious)?
Thinking: Does anybody know whether "Dolly" is a real girl's Christian name, or is it a nick-name or common abbreviation for some other name - in the same way as Nell was a common abbreviation of Helen in my parents' generation?
Malls: I've been having an enjoyable comments dialogue with Frenzied feline about malls and must say I do agree with her final assertion that they don't put enough doors in malls - so you always end up passing a lot more shops -with more opportunities to spend- than you need to while searching for an exit.
MSG: I think I have an allergy to MSG. Occasionally I wake up with a headache, dry eyes and nausea and can't figure out why until I realise I have eaten something the previous evening that may have contained MSG. Artificial sweetener has a similar (though much more instantaneous effect). Since I rarely feel unwell at all, I have to put this down to something. Last night I attended the opening of a student art exhibition at the local Uni. There was lots of tempting finger/dippy type food on offer, in which I obviously over-indulged. I'm guessing some of those yummy foods containing Thai sweet chilli sauce or salsa might have had the odd splash of MSG on board. Do any of you have food allergies that cause such obvious reactions (without being of the swell up and almost die kind of obvious)?
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Sunset Nightcliff foreshore
Other people's blogs and shopping malls
I'm delighted. Lately I've been getting lots more comments on the blog and lots more pins on the map. Not only does this give me the satisfaction of knowing that there really are people out there reading my thoughts, but it gives me entree into a whole new world of other people's blogs. What a wonderful world it is. The world of other people's thoughts and ideas. This intimate, yet open forum that gives you the kind of communication I've always been seeking - pass up on the social chit-chat and straight into people's deepest feelings. A recent map pinner is Tech from the USA and this blog will receive many more visits from me - sensitive posts and glorious photos - check it out!
What I really wanted to write about tonight is shopping malls. What is it about them that drags you in, spins you around for pointless hours on end and eventually spits you out, footsore and uninspired, desperate to sit down for an hour to rest your aching feet. I hate to be sexist, but I think this virtually only applies to women. Men tend to go to a store (in a mall or not) to buy one item. They walk into the appropriate store, buy the first generic representative of the group of item they are looking for and go home. Not so females. We go in with a list of things we want to buy, or just look at with a view to future purchase. We wander, at first purposefully, then aimlessly around numerous stores all selling similar things. We can't quite find the particular brand or just the right shade or whatever. In the meantime, we stock up on loads of other things we needed, wanted, half wanted or had no idea we wanted until we saw them on sale. Hours later we drag our weary bones toward the car, pushing an overloaded trolley which quite possibly does not contain the most important item on our shopping list but is damn sure going to take at least two trips from the car to the house to carry inside.
That was my day yesterday. I spent 4 hours walking around the local shopping mall. First I visited the library to change some books but while there I noticed a sale of ex-library books, so I absolutely had to inspect them minutely, one by one, to see whether there was anything of value in there. Next I set off to replace a canvas footstool. To do that I checked out the $2 shop, camping store, K-Mart, Big W ... in between I replaced three items of make-up that had 'almost' run out, bought a big bag of potting mix and a punnet of parsley seedlings, a couple of birthday cards, slacks and stretchy work-out pants (on sale of course) and about 15 grocery items, which, being an unfamiliar grocery store, took 3 times as long to find as they would have at my local Woolies. I found a canvas stool at the final stop and bought it, knowing full well it was taller than the one I was replacing and would not be comfortable, and guess what...it's taller than the one I replaced and not comfortable!!!! grrrr! - I hate malls.
Tech's beautiful blog, 51313 Harbor Street, has inspired me to post a picture. I'll look for a lovely sunset one. Thanks to everyone who has dropped by - love you all!
What I really wanted to write about tonight is shopping malls. What is it about them that drags you in, spins you around for pointless hours on end and eventually spits you out, footsore and uninspired, desperate to sit down for an hour to rest your aching feet. I hate to be sexist, but I think this virtually only applies to women. Men tend to go to a store (in a mall or not) to buy one item. They walk into the appropriate store, buy the first generic representative of the group of item they are looking for and go home. Not so females. We go in with a list of things we want to buy, or just look at with a view to future purchase. We wander, at first purposefully, then aimlessly around numerous stores all selling similar things. We can't quite find the particular brand or just the right shade or whatever. In the meantime, we stock up on loads of other things we needed, wanted, half wanted or had no idea we wanted until we saw them on sale. Hours later we drag our weary bones toward the car, pushing an overloaded trolley which quite possibly does not contain the most important item on our shopping list but is damn sure going to take at least two trips from the car to the house to carry inside.
That was my day yesterday. I spent 4 hours walking around the local shopping mall. First I visited the library to change some books but while there I noticed a sale of ex-library books, so I absolutely had to inspect them minutely, one by one, to see whether there was anything of value in there. Next I set off to replace a canvas footstool. To do that I checked out the $2 shop, camping store, K-Mart, Big W ... in between I replaced three items of make-up that had 'almost' run out, bought a big bag of potting mix and a punnet of parsley seedlings, a couple of birthday cards, slacks and stretchy work-out pants (on sale of course) and about 15 grocery items, which, being an unfamiliar grocery store, took 3 times as long to find as they would have at my local Woolies. I found a canvas stool at the final stop and bought it, knowing full well it was taller than the one I was replacing and would not be comfortable, and guess what...it's taller than the one I replaced and not comfortable!!!! grrrr! - I hate malls.
Tech's beautiful blog, 51313 Harbor Street, has inspired me to post a picture. I'll look for a lovely sunset one. Thanks to everyone who has dropped by - love you all!
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Today's single thought
I thought we shared a life; but you only shared time.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
It's - Time to Go John!
Since I have a few blog readers from the USA, I thought you might be interested in our political process. Over here in the land down under, we are struggling with very similar issues to those in the USA. We have an election coming up this year too; in fact, it's happening next Saturday.
With our election system, we don't vote for a president or in our case prime minister, we vote for his party, which means he will lead the Australian government. At the same time, we vote for our senate.
We have two major parties (like you). Ours are called the Liberal/National Party (conservative) and Labor (supposedly the party of the workers/ social conscience but in reality, only marginally dissimilar to the conservatives). There are several minor parties that will take senate seats and perhaps one or two lower house seats, the Greens (as the name suggests) are the most potent of these, followed by the Democrats (environmentalists-social conscience).
The issues the major parties have been pushing are: Liberals - who can you trust to be fiscally responsible to keep the budget in surplus and interest rates low, and national security (this party followed George W into Afghanistan and Iraq and has a very hard-line attitude to refugees). They have been in power for about 8 years and are led by our present prime minister, John Howard. Labor has a new, younger leader, Mark Latham. He is pushing education (public education funding has been sadly neglected under Liberal), Health (ditto) and trying to convince us he too is fiscally responsible. We've heard a lot from both parties about who you can trust.
Tonight I saw a film - a collage of 15 short films by Australian film-makers - entitled "Time to go John" that puts all the lies and antisocial attitudes of this man of the 50s into perspective in todays world.
...and for me, as I've said before on this blog, I'm not out to get the best pension deal, or cheaper child care, or pay a few dollars less in tax - I just can't forget that John Howard told us lies about refugees that played on people's insecurities and fears and used them to win the last election. I remember that 80% of the people in Australia didn't want to go to war in Iraq and marched across the country to get that point home - and he took us to war, allegedly because Saddam had WMD trained on the free world, when there was no credible intelligence to support that theory and now he conveniently forgets that and tells us it was to overthrow an evil dictator. Gee I bet the people of Iraq feel things have really improved now! And the families of the 1,000 US servicemen and women killed there - I bet their families feel real comfortable with that theory too. I can't forget that he has lifted not one finger to help the Australian citizens held without charges in a US military prison for years - not once has he asked his great mate George W to allow him to bring them home and deal with them here.
So, on Saturday, whether he is fiscally responsible or not, whether he has the experience he needs to stride the world stage, I'll be voting for Labor and Mark Latham because he is the only alternative we've got and ...It really is 'Time to Go John!'
Whichever leader or party we end up with, we'll always be great friends and allies of the USA - we share so many values in common - but we are an independent nation and should act on our own conscience when it comes to some things...and besides, I'm pretty sure the government led by George W doesn't represent the wishes and feelings of most Americans any more than little Johnny reflects ours.
With our election system, we don't vote for a president or in our case prime minister, we vote for his party, which means he will lead the Australian government. At the same time, we vote for our senate.
We have two major parties (like you). Ours are called the Liberal/National Party (conservative) and Labor (supposedly the party of the workers/ social conscience but in reality, only marginally dissimilar to the conservatives). There are several minor parties that will take senate seats and perhaps one or two lower house seats, the Greens (as the name suggests) are the most potent of these, followed by the Democrats (environmentalists-social conscience).
The issues the major parties have been pushing are: Liberals - who can you trust to be fiscally responsible to keep the budget in surplus and interest rates low, and national security (this party followed George W into Afghanistan and Iraq and has a very hard-line attitude to refugees). They have been in power for about 8 years and are led by our present prime minister, John Howard. Labor has a new, younger leader, Mark Latham. He is pushing education (public education funding has been sadly neglected under Liberal), Health (ditto) and trying to convince us he too is fiscally responsible. We've heard a lot from both parties about who you can trust.
Tonight I saw a film - a collage of 15 short films by Australian film-makers - entitled "Time to go John" that puts all the lies and antisocial attitudes of this man of the 50s into perspective in todays world.
...and for me, as I've said before on this blog, I'm not out to get the best pension deal, or cheaper child care, or pay a few dollars less in tax - I just can't forget that John Howard told us lies about refugees that played on people's insecurities and fears and used them to win the last election. I remember that 80% of the people in Australia didn't want to go to war in Iraq and marched across the country to get that point home - and he took us to war, allegedly because Saddam had WMD trained on the free world, when there was no credible intelligence to support that theory and now he conveniently forgets that and tells us it was to overthrow an evil dictator. Gee I bet the people of Iraq feel things have really improved now! And the families of the 1,000 US servicemen and women killed there - I bet their families feel real comfortable with that theory too. I can't forget that he has lifted not one finger to help the Australian citizens held without charges in a US military prison for years - not once has he asked his great mate George W to allow him to bring them home and deal with them here.
So, on Saturday, whether he is fiscally responsible or not, whether he has the experience he needs to stride the world stage, I'll be voting for Labor and Mark Latham because he is the only alternative we've got and ...It really is 'Time to Go John!'
Whichever leader or party we end up with, we'll always be great friends and allies of the USA - we share so many values in common - but we are an independent nation and should act on our own conscience when it comes to some things...and besides, I'm pretty sure the government led by George W doesn't represent the wishes and feelings of most Americans any more than little Johnny reflects ours.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Empty Spaces
Black holes. Like the sockets of eyes sucked out by an alien force. Totally empty. The spaces where you used to be.
Friday, October 01, 2004
Posts with but a single thought
Random thoughts fascinate me and torment me; not least because they are so fleeting. I've often written down a random thought, wishing to preserve it, to remember it to dwell on later, but inevitably these scraps of paper are lost or forgotten till, stumbled upon years later, crumpled in the back of a drawer, I gaze on them again and am lost in the reverie of how I felt at that moment.
Tonight I found my soul-mate at a random blog listed on the blogger home page. Here they are, my random thoughts, a million of them, together with links to other 'one-liner' blogs, I particularly related to Notes along the Elizabeth.
Unable to discipline myself to but a single thought, tonight I'll tell you two of today's random thoughts:
There are two things in my life I don't think I could live without: my computer and eye-liner...
and
The miracle of life, demonstrated by crumbling the weedy, gone to seed heads of dying basil plants back into the pot and stirring lightly. In two days - hundreds of hopeful round green heads poking from the earth.
Tonight I found my soul-mate at a random blog listed on the blogger home page. Here they are, my random thoughts, a million of them, together with links to other 'one-liner' blogs, I particularly related to Notes along the Elizabeth.
Unable to discipline myself to but a single thought, tonight I'll tell you two of today's random thoughts:
There are two things in my life I don't think I could live without: my computer and eye-liner...
and
The miracle of life, demonstrated by crumbling the weedy, gone to seed heads of dying basil plants back into the pot and stirring lightly. In two days - hundreds of hopeful round green heads poking from the earth.
