Heaven Stairways...

From here

Meeting Sir David Attenborough...

Sir David Attenborough is my hero. His early television awakened in me a love of all things natural, but in particular my breath was stilled as I watched him hang out with the gorillas in Rwanda. It was 1979 and I was 12 years old. Nine years later, inspired by this remarkable film  I followed in his footsteps and visited the mountain gorillas of Africa in Rwanda's neighbouring Zaire.

Meeting Sir David Attenborough has been a longtime dream of mine, though I expect I would be incapable of intelligent speech and the conversation would be rather one sided! Thankfully it seems David Attenborough is never short of something of interest to say or a story to tell, so maybe my muted awe would go relatively unnoticed.

I saw Sir David twice when I lived in London. I lived in Richmond at the time and we shared the TW9 postcode, though I imagine he was 'further up the hill' than I. He was walking about town the first time I saw him,  strolling along, hands behind his back, quite happy in his own space and though I desperately wanted to, I couldn't bring myself to disturb him.

The next time I saw him, I was standing at the end of a long, slow moving queue waiting to buy a ticket at Richmond Underground Station. Unbeknown to me, he was quite near the front of the same queue, though close enough to hear me sigh and curse at the delay.

It was aimed at my late departure from home and the frustrations at my own tardiness (aided thereafter by the world that turned all it's efforts to making me miss my train) but I did not realise quite how loud my comment was, nor how well it travelled.

In the moment immediately after it came out, I was shot a look by Sir David that bought shame upon me and left me in no doubt that that particular day was not the time to introduce myself as one of his biggest fans. Nor the day to tell him how he inspired me, and certainly not the day to tell him how much I admired and tried to live my life guided (in part at least) by his example.

Quite a few years later (and surely long enough after our Underground incident for all to be forgiven and forgotten - I suspect it was a rather less memorable moment for him as it was for me afterall) he was scheduled to talk in Melbourne and I managed to get tickets. I was delighted. My hero! He was going to be signing books and I was determined to meet him... but then at the last minute, his appearance was cancelled due to illness and for a third time, I missed my opportunity.

When the announcement was made early this year he was to return for a show at Melbourne's Regent Theatre, I was thrilled. I was not alone. The tickets sold out in just a few short hours and I missed my chance. I was so disappointed, but unwilling to pay scalpers elevated ticket prices, I just had to accept it.

My friend Mal and his wife Marion managed to get tickets and my excitement for them was genuine, particularly when I realised Marion was also a huge fan (she cried when she realised they had managed to get tickets 2 rows from the front). It was to be a special occasion for her 40th birthday and they were both thrilled.

When I received a message from Mal to tell me Marion was sick the night before the show, I hoped with all my heart that she would be well enough to make it the next day. But she didn't get better, she got worse and the next morning they decided she would not be leaving her bed, let alone the house. She would not to make the show and they offered their tickets to me. I didn't want to go in her place, they were meant to go. Not me. I was devastated for them. But they insisted that they wanted me to go and to take their tickets and so the arrangements were made. And that night my Mum and I went and saw Sir David Attenborough.

He did not disappoint. What an incredible man. At 86, he is the world's most traveled person. He has been to the North and South Poles and everywhere in between. He has been on our TV screens for sixty years and in that time the world population has trebled. He is passionate and so so excited to share his stories. He has gratitude for a full and exciting life and is full of praise for the people in his life. Without the cameramen taking such extraordinary footage he admits, there would not have been a show. They captured the magic, he was merely fortunate to be there to stand before them.

He spoke for just on two and a half hours, after which we all gave him a standing ovation, as he stood and nodded his head in humble thanks. And whilst I have yet to meet my hero in person, I do feel as if we sat together and shared a chat. And as expected, the conversation was a little one way, but I'm ok with that... I was a little awe-struck afterall!

Make sure you click on the link below to watch his rendition of "It's a wonderful world." It really is magical.

It's a wonderful world...

Even in hindsight and having loved being able to go to the show, I still wish Marion and Mal had been able to attend. And rest assured, if/when he ever comes back to Melbourne, I will be queueing up to get them (and me) tickets.
*As an added bonus the two nights he appeared in Melbourne were being recorded for DVD, so I'll be keeping my eyes open for that too!

Remembering 911...

Spring is in the air...

Ahhhh... Spring is in the air.

The skies are crisp blue and there is warmth in the September sunshine. The breeze carries the smell of new blossom and tufts of green burst forth on waking branches.

It's a good day to be in Melbourne.

No shame...

Without shame, I am going to ask you to put your hands in your pockets. To make a donation to a cause close to my heart. And I do this without shame, because if this walk gets us one step closer to a cure to kidney cancer, it's worth it.

This Sunday I will be joined by my Mum and good friend Denise and will be walking to raise money for Kidney Health Australia. We will be walking in memory of my brother, who died from kidney cancer in December 2008.

Here is the link for our BIG RED WALK page, which includes a tribute and a link to fundraising.

Please donate if you feel you can - every little bit helps, and in the battle against cancer we need all the help we can get.

And as the saying goes, from little things, big things grow...

Canadian in Aus...

  

This past weekend I welcomed a family friend to Melbourne who I had not seen for 36 years! I know, you thought I was only 28 right??? Crazy stuff I know!

In any case, he lived in the town where I grew up for one year during his primary school years - I think he was probably 12 at the time... he was a great friend of my brothers and I was great friends with his younger sister Becky.

When Mum and I visited Canada a couple of years ago we stayed with his Mum (a great friend of my Mums) in Ingersoll, and visited his sister too, and it was as if the years dissolved and the laughter picked up right where it left off 34 years earlier...

So, when Tim (who we did not manage to see in Canada) said he was coming back to Australia and high on his list was a visit to Melbourne and Point Lonsdale, we were excited to have him come stay.

And boy did we keep him busy... a few meals out, a lot of walking around the city of Melbourne and an introduction to the sites... A smiley shot beside pie-face in search of the great Australian pie, a visit to a few great galleries, and a match of Aussie rules.

After the footy on Saturday night, he headed to Lonny with my parents and with the two remaining days in Victoria, they re-visited the local sites and did a road trip down the coast along the Great Ocean Road. They travelled via Anglesea golf course where Tim got up close and personal with the locals (kangaroos) and walked in the tree tops at the Otway Fly.

Seriously, this is such a great place to live, full of natural beauty, great architecture and fabulous art... It's impossible not to have fun showing someone around. It helped of course that he was great company.

Safe travels Tim, would love to see you again... bring the family next time!

Magical Melbourne morning...

What a great way to start the day. This is the view on my walk to work.

Have a good day everyone, wherever it is you are.

x

Laughing until you pee...

This coming weekend I am catching up with one of my oldest friends. Actually, apart from family, my oldest. I should be clear here - it is neither her nor I who is 'oldest' but our friendship!

What can I say... Lou never fails to bring a smile to my face. 

As kids, she and I used to laugh so hard together we'd wet our pants... when I pushed a bublegum ice-cream into her face in the main street (when I was old enough to know not to), all she could do was laugh... she's also the one who walked down the street in a t-shirt and knickers at the age of about 9, when she had forgotten to put on her shorts before leaving home, and yes, you guessed it, she laughed! We lived hours apart, but her family had a holiday house in my beachside town and from the day she arrived at the beginning of each summer holiday, to the day she left late in January, we were inseparable.

She has a great laugh and is a lifelong friend. We spent long stretches apart when I went traveling, and with busy lives now (she has two gorgeous grown up daughters and a new grandson!!!) it's not always easy to organise much time together, but whenever we do it's like we have not been parted at all. Ah yes, she's one of those friends. The last time I spent the weekend with her and her partner Trev, we went to a local antique/junk shop to have a browse. When I picked up a plastic snoopy and the head came off in my hands, her laughter shook the rafters! Actually we were both hysterical, but I was trying to put his head back on at the time, so I was trying to be discreet!

Lou is also an amazing cook and she has started a project this year to cook a different evening meal every day for twelve entire months! Yes, all 365 days! (less any meals out of course)

As if that wasn't crazy enough, she has also started a blog to chart her year and share with family and friends her daily menu and some recipes... She is also asking for inspiration. So pop on over and take a look. But be warned, it will get your mouth watering! 

Oh I am looking forward to the weekend. I think rack of lamb might be on the menu - a special treat for me! Thankfully I have great taste in friends! And hopefully we both have better bladder control than when we were 6, because there are sure to be a lot of laughs!

xxx

The above photo is of us with my Mum on the beach at Point Lonsdale, sometime in the 70's. I am on the left, Lou's sister Jodie is behind me, that's my groovy Mum in the middle, and Lou's the cutie with the wide grin and zinc creamed nose on the right! Such happy sun-shiny memories.

The magical connections of blogging...

Monday, as you know, I updated my blog for the first time in aaaaages. Since then, I've been so excited to have had a few comments from some ole blogging friends, and it means so much. So thank you. I will be dropping by more often to say hi!

Then on Monday night in the midst of my renewed blogging glow, I had the pleasure of catching up with Luhlahh who was visiting Victoria over her Northern Territory school holidays! What a treat, and fun to catch up on all the news, though it occurred to me later, that I had managed to forget a couple of things. I'll admit to getting a little distracted by talk of her school kids, art and journalling, then books and a display back at the car where she revealed all her extraordinary book buys from her time in the city over the weekend.

WOW! It's so easy to get excited about books full of art, creativity and possibility. No wonder she couldn't resist! Oh it would have been nice to sit around for a few hours, beside an open fire browsing in more detail whilst sharing a mug of hot chocolate, but alas she was on her way back to the coast and all of a sudden the night was over. Safe travels home Lou, it was lovely to see you.

Also, I just want to send out my thoughts to another blogging friend Lesley, who lives in Colorado Springs in Colorado which has been devastated by forest fires over the last few weeks. Hundreds of houses lost and even worse, the tragic loss of lives. Such unbelievable loss, and then, amongst all the sadness there are also stories of hope and she shares one here. It made me smile, and I hope it does you too. Take care Lesley, big love and hugs to you.

xx

The image above is an instagram pic of cookie cutters I have framed in my kitchen. When I created it, shuffling the letters until they fitted together, the word joy was sitting right in the middle!

Romantics Anonymous...

Another movie you really must try and track down.
Quirky. Fun. Touching.
French.
I loved it.

Ch ch ch ch changes...

It's been two entire months now since I last posted, the longest break since I started blogging in Feb 2007. And I've been pondering on this a lot lately. Wondering as to why I seem to have abandoned it so absolutely. Seemingly without a backwards glance.

If you are a regular reader and have stumbled upon this post, I imagine that's what it must look like. But truth is, I have been missing blogging, and certainly missing all my blogging buddies. But I've been struggling... though I'm not really sure why.

Yes, I have been studying, yes, I have been busy, and yes, I have changed jobs, but none of these things has ever stopped me in the past. Often these are the things I have shared here. The very things that have kept me blogging.

And whilst the days and weeks have passed, three things have reminded me recently why my blog means so much to me and it really is time I get my blogging back on track.

Firstly, friends have been asking if I'm ok and what's going on, my parents who are regular readers have both commented (hinted) that I need an update post.

Secondly, I had a friend contact me recently to ask where my blog had gone!!! I thought she meant it had disappeared all together and my stomach lurched. There was genuine relief when it came up on the screen and I saw my one little acorn blog was still there. if it was gone, I really would have been devastated.

And then, over this weekend I got a comment on my latest post (way back on the first of May) from a long time blogging friend just checking in, and flagged the fact I had been MIA for such a long time!!!

Thank you Little Red Hen for hanging on in there, and for your check in!

So. Here I am. I'm back.

Hi.
Remember me?
Busy, yes, new job, yes, still studying, yes. But I am back, because my blog (and yours) is something I'm not about to abandon.

How are you?

May Day! May Day!

Oh my goodness!
It's May already?

Whatever happened to April?

Accepting the inevitable...

To cheat or not to cheat... THAT is the question...

It's over a week now since I have posted - and this from someone who was going to blog on a daily basis this year. It's my first major slip up... and though I could list many things that got in the way, I'm not much of a fan of excuses, admission of guilt is somehow easier. And inevitable.

Having said that, I am going to share with you what I have been up to and give you a quick round-up, of my life since last week...

I have been busy with school. I have had regular Tuesday night classes for the last 4 weeks which have been fantastic. Some of it confronting, a lot of it challenging, and all of it confirmation that this is right. I may not know the destination at this point, but I do know that I am on the right path.

I had last Friday and Monday off and spent nearly the entirety on art and study. It was a really good chance to re-visit some of the theories and practices we have covered so far, and a chance to ponder and reflect. I also managed to finish one of the major parts of the first module which I was happy with, though I have yet to complete a 2000 and a 1000 word essay in the next few weeks. No time to take a break.

Last Friday night I had a friend come and stay and it was lovely to see her. She came straight from work and we went out for dinner, did the final artwork for her upcoming wedding, went out to brekkie the next morning, and spent time hanging out in the city for a few hours, just browsing the shops and sitting by the river with a drink. All the while chatting without break. About all the important things, work, family, weddings, love, loss and grief, clothes and internet dating... Pretty much everything! So so nice to catch up.

I have seen 3 movies, all of which I would recommend - The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, My Week with Marilyn and The Artist.

Wow - what a line up. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was a delight to watch - full of colour and spirit, and a great cast to boot. An extraordinary adventure into the exotic.

My week with Marilyn was a moody and beautifully shot insight into another era and beautiful to watch. Both Michelle Williams and Eddie Redmayne were fantastic.

The Artist was an unexpected surprise. Despite it's awards, it was not top of my viewing list, but due to an expiring ticket, I took the chance. Wow. It was really really good. I Loved it. Totally connected with the characters and was captured from beginning to end.

I have been on bookdepository.com and ordered a few books which will add to my pile of reading, as I have realised very early that my reading will have to increase if I am to even survive, let alone thrive, in this course. The TV is not getting much of a showing, apart from maybe a couple of faves, but none of this gazing blankly at the screen when the viewing is of no real interest.

Last Sunday I was invited to a family dinner to farewell my cousin's daughter who is off to India for 3 months of volunteer work. Such exciting times. And so nice to be a part of it and hang out with the young people of my family. They are such great company and full of energy and character.

Work has been ok. Quiet on a few days which has allowed me to catch up on some additional reading and internet surfing/googling. And this morning, my blog. If it lasts for a few hours I may even add in some posts for the last few days.... just to fill a few of the gaps.

I'm feeling good today. It's a Friday, the sky is a bright autumnal blue and I am looking forward to a busy weekend.

Enjoy!

On the boardwalk...

Like Crazy...

Yesterday I went and saw this movie, and whilst I would probably agree with my friend who thought it was a bit slow, I still really liked it.

It was about a couple who meet while she is in the USA on a student visa and (of course) fall in love. The match, seemingly made in heaven, is made more complicated when she overstays her visa.

It's an insight into long distance relationships, lives complicated by distance and bureaucracy, and for me was pretty on the button.

It was a long time ago that I was in the early stages of a similar relationship (though not quite so restricted by the authorities), and I recognised a lot of the situations and connected with a lot of the emotions and frustrations.

It's worth a look. Don't expect a tearjerker or a chick flick romance, and it's not essential cinema big screen viewing, but take a look sometime.

I'm not selling it so well here, but I liked it, and I think it's worth a look.

The new iPad...

It was eventually going to happen... my heart would rule my head and my purse-strings and I was going to weaken.

So I decided not to fight it, and just go with the flow, and join the millions who are all sitting cosily together on the rather crowded apple iPad bandwagon.

Yes, yesterday I picked up my new iPad. I had to go and collect it from the courier as I missed the delivery while I was at work on Friday, and I was not alone. When I arrived at 8:20am, just 20 minutes after the depot opened, there was already a queue. Thankfully it wasn't too too long to wait, and thankfully they found it easily and I was on my way.

Some were not so lucky... being told their delivery could not be located and they would be contacted when the item was found. Most likely on Monday. Yikes. I would not have been happy about that.

And, as if I needed confirmation that I was not alone in my eagerness to purchase the latest apple 'it' thing... apparently the couriers delivered over 4,500 devices on the release day.

WOW! Four thousand five hundred - just in Melbourne. Incredible!

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

May the luck of the Irish be with you in 2012. To be sure, to be sure...

The Jeans Test...

Many years ago, when I was a teenager, when fashion was a daily concern and what you wore was paramount to how cool you were at school, tight jeans were all the rage. 

I expect they are today also (judging by what you see in the streets) and have been many times between, with a few seasons of bootleg and stretch thrown in. Comfort now rules for me, and whilst snug is fine, tight without any stretch just isn't even going to make it into the change room.

In any case, back to my teenage years...

What my peers thought was cool and what my mother deemed as acceptable, sensible, reasonable and value for money, was generally poles apart, and so my mother (in the name of peace) came up with a test that I agreed to follow...

Tight jeans could be bought, if, and only if, once they were on with the zip fastened, I was able to sit easily on the floor of the dressing room and get myself back up without assistance. Level of comfort was whatever I could hide from my mother, which meant my face changing to different shades of red was also a likely deal breaker.

In any case, the jeans test worked well and many a denim jeans equivalent of the straight jacket was returned to the racks in the name of healthy blood flow to my legs. And although I was never part of the cool group (truth be told for reasons that stretched well beyond my fashion sense) I had a great group of friends that didn't care too much about what I wore nor me about them and we all survived despite it all... 

And so, with this rule in mind, I am blaming my night of broken sleep on a slip up in the 'test' this morning. After a long weekend away followed by a busy week of nights out after work, I have a pile of waiting washing and an ever decreasing limited stack of options. This morning as I sorted my way down past shorts, 3/4 pants and a denim skirt, I came to a pair of jeans that I had forgotten I even owned! 

Now, THAT should have been warning enough, right?

In any case, after my shower I pulled them on and was delighted to find they fit (rather snugly perhaps but not so tight that I needed a coat hanger to pull up the zip!) So, across the next 15 minutes as the clock ticked and I started running late, I congratulated myself on my find and it was not until I got to my car that I realised my oversight.

In my eagerness to get out the door, I had neglected the jeans test. 

And let me tell you, had I applied the rule, I would not be sitting at my desk right now, with a day of work ahead of me, feeling rather uncomfortable, wondering if anyone will notice if I undo the button, if I do if the zip will stay up!

Oh, if only I had remembered to take the jeans test this morning!

Summer 2011 flashback...

Against the grain...

Hudson - Against The Grain from Dropbear on Vimeo.

Melbourne on a balmy autumn evening...

I'm loving being classified as a full time student... Concession public transport is awesome.

And at 22 degrees at 10pm, it was a fine night to take in the view as I waited for the tram home.

I love Melbourne.

After a long weekend roadtrip...

I wish I could curl up here...

Hamilton wishes...

Yesterday when I posted I was in Hamilton, blogging friend Cam (aka Curly Pops) commented that this was the area where she grew up. She made a few local recommendations, and today I found the wishing well in the Botanic Gardens.

The plaque read '1 wish to remember former Hamiltonians'.

It seemed the natural thing then, to make my wish for Cam.
So Ms Curly Pops, this one's for you.
May 2012 be your year.
I have everything crossed for you. X

Long weekend road trip...

So my Mum and I are making the most of this long weekend and taking a bit of road trip. Destination Hamilton, Victoria. 3.5 hours from home.

When people asked me this week why we were going to Hamilton, I said I wasn't sure. And now I'm here, my answer is unchanged.

Hamilton is... ummm... quiet.

All shops close Saturday 12:30. We arrived at 1:30. Seems most of the people (excepting a few stray window shopping tourists) had disappeared.

After a quick stop at our motel, we visited the local gallery (which i found a bit disappointing), then we took a drive to 2 waterless waterfalls and did a quick drive-by of the 'big wool bales'. We might leave a visit there for tomorrow... Don't want to see all the highlights on day one!

Having said all that, it's not all about shopping and entertainment. And despite my complaints, the sun has been shining and the air is clear. The terrain is open country with lots of sheep gathered under huge gum trees and the skies are blue and big. We are having a good time.

Thinking outside the square...

Aurora Australis may be visible tonight...

Yes, it's true. For people in the southern states of Australia, this may be the perfect night to see Aurora Australis. Conditions are right apparently, after solar flares earlier this week.

This is incredibly exciting to me and I would love to see it (have been wanting to see them for many years), but living in the city, chances are I will not see them tonight. BUT it is possible they will appear tomorrow or maybe Saturday night too, and given I will be down the coast and with a clear view South... there is time. There is hope.

But in the meantime, as you think about heading to your bed tonight, or as you wake in the early hours of the morning, please please please get out there and take a look to the Southern skies. And by the way, I believe (though I could be wrong) this also means the chances of seeing Aurora Borealis are also increased. So those of you who live in the Northern parts of the Northern hemisphere, eyes up too...

If you see them, be still and soak up the moment, because this is a rare occurrence... Capture it if you can... and make sure you come and let me know.

If you want more information, you can go here to spaceweather.com.

The above photo is of Aurora Australis over the city of Hobart, found here on the internet. Amazing isn't it?

Age doesn't guarantee wisdom...

Hurting the harmless...

Our next door neighbour has (allegedly) been leaving poison out for the possums. There was a little ringtail possum lying dead on the paving in our courtyard this morning. The sweetest little thing... The second one poisoned in less than a week.

This is the same man who allows stray cats to breed and reproduce in his backyard and then leaves them to fend for themselves... The kittens that grow onto stray cats that spray at my front door and attack native birds and animals.

Love thy neighbour?
Not a chance.

Queen Mary 2...

Big news in Melbourne today was the arrival and departure of the cruise liner Queen Mary 2. Twice the size of the MCG, this boat is big - real big!

It left Melbourne at 6pm tonight and has just gone through the heads, past Point Lonsdale. I'm guessing my Mum and Dad were there and no doubt joined by a huge number of the curious onlookers as they gathered to get a glimpse of the biggest ship ever to sail into (and out of) Port Phillip Bay.

This was the view from the Port of Melbourne Webcam from Point Lonsdale Lighthouse as it went through the heads. Makes me wish I had driven down there tonight to see it close up.

As I said, that's one big boat, and that's one huuuuge electricity bill...

Sunday snippets...

Whoa.
What a weekend.
Seems like I caught up on a lot of sleep.
Two early nights.
Two lie ins.
AND two Nana naps.

But in amongst it all, in all that time of rest, I have also managed to do some sewing and catching up with friends (Thanks Lyn for your wonderful patience and guidance in pulling together Nikki's purse pattern - I reckon I bought the kit at least 18 months ago) and also great (as always) to catch up with H too.

Such a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon on a lazy weekend.
And how cute is this purse?