Sunday 30 November 2008
Tuesday 25 November 2008
Thursday 20 November 2008
Love thy neighbour...
I live in an inner city suburb of Melbourne where old weatherboard houses are pushed in between blocks of flats and clinker brick commission houses of the 1930's. There are pensioners who grow veggies in their front gardens, living next door to city workers in townhouses. Couples with kids or dogs (or both) and couples without.
Many people greet each other with a nod or a friendly hello in the street, whilst others keep to themselves. Without doubt there are a few oddballs. Despite (or maybe because of) the range of characters, the area maintains a local feel.
There is a local milk bar on the next block which originally sold papers, stale bread and limp groceries, but is now a meeting place for a coffee and a chat. The old timers sit amongst the new comers and watch the world go by with little changing across the years apart from the inevitable turn of the seasons.
It's pretty quiet mostly, despite it's inner suburb location, though true to high density living, not much goes unnoticed.
Whilst out and about, I will sometimes say hello or briefly smile in greeting and mostly people are friendly... and yet there are some characters I tend to avoid. It's not conscious exactly, I just don't go out of my way to greet them. One such person lives across the road and is a pretty rough looking guy. He's big, generally goes unshaven, has wide shoulders and dresses in an oversized T-shirt and shorts, no matter what the season. I know he is there and I am quite sure he has seen me too, but he keeps to himself and I am quite happy with the situation as it stands.
So this morning, as Mal was unlocking his car (an original 1978 mini), he was taken a little by surprise when this guy called out from the other side of the road, trying to get his attention.
It seems a few nights ago, he caught a few young guys trying to flip over Mal's car (three of them on a section each) and he told them in no uncertain terms to piss off! Thankfully (and not surprisingly) he didn't get any arguments and they left post haste. "I'm a pitt bull, I am" he told Mal with a smile. A smiling pit bull.
They chatted briefly and Mal thanked him before he continued on his way, giving each each other a nod as he drove away.
Many people greet each other with a nod or a friendly hello in the street, whilst others keep to themselves. Without doubt there are a few oddballs. Despite (or maybe because of) the range of characters, the area maintains a local feel.
There is a local milk bar on the next block which originally sold papers, stale bread and limp groceries, but is now a meeting place for a coffee and a chat. The old timers sit amongst the new comers and watch the world go by with little changing across the years apart from the inevitable turn of the seasons.
It's pretty quiet mostly, despite it's inner suburb location, though true to high density living, not much goes unnoticed.
Whilst out and about, I will sometimes say hello or briefly smile in greeting and mostly people are friendly... and yet there are some characters I tend to avoid. It's not conscious exactly, I just don't go out of my way to greet them. One such person lives across the road and is a pretty rough looking guy. He's big, generally goes unshaven, has wide shoulders and dresses in an oversized T-shirt and shorts, no matter what the season. I know he is there and I am quite sure he has seen me too, but he keeps to himself and I am quite happy with the situation as it stands.
So this morning, as Mal was unlocking his car (an original 1978 mini), he was taken a little by surprise when this guy called out from the other side of the road, trying to get his attention.
It seems a few nights ago, he caught a few young guys trying to flip over Mal's car (three of them on a section each) and he told them in no uncertain terms to piss off! Thankfully (and not surprisingly) he didn't get any arguments and they left post haste. "I'm a pitt bull, I am" he told Mal with a smile. A smiling pit bull.
They chatted briefly and Mal thanked him before he continued on his way, giving each each other a nod as he drove away.
Just one of those days...
It's a grey start to the day. I'm rugged up - still in my winter work-wear and it's nearly the first day of summer. I've made it to work, on mucky roads in impatient traffic. I'd rather be walking on the beach, preferably in the sun, but even here would be ok...
Where would you like to be right now?
This web cam picks up the view of Bass Strait and Point Lonsdale back beach. Point Lonsdale is the town where I grew up. You can click on the link here and see 4 different views from the Lonsdale Lighthouse. Of course, it's a lot nicer on a sunny day.
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Sunday 9 November 2008
This is my favourite quote...
Whatever you can do,or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius,
power and magic in it.
JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE
I actually used this quote for an earlier "This is" post, but I couldn't resist using it again. It really is great motivation for taking a leap into the unknown - being bold and seeing what might happen.
So what are you waiting for?
You heard the man! Begin it!
Go for it!
The theme for this weeks "This is..." came from Ashley at Strawberry Kisses. The "This is..." meme was started by the very creative Angela of Three Buttons fame.
I have other quotes I love too... just click on "quote of the day" link below to read a few more of my favourites.
Friday 7 November 2008
Tuesday 4 November 2008
I was shot and I survived...
A few months ago, Mal needed a model for his photography course and so I (rather reluctantly) volunteered. I agreed to model for him on the proviso he was to delete any really bad pics and that he retouched out any spots or major wrinkles. I thought that was more than reasonable!It actually went quite well in the end, thanks to some good lighting - Oh and Mals photography too! Once I relaxed, we even had a bit of a laugh.
He said he didn't have to do TOO much retouching, and at 41, I am happy to believe him!
You can go and visit his new web page here at PortraitPro...
It's still in it's early stages, but he already has some great shots. Go to his gallery and take a look!
Monday 3 November 2008
Quote of the day...
Kind words can be short and easy to speak
but their echoes are truly endless.
Mother Theresa
but their echoes are truly endless.
Mother Theresa
Sunday 2 November 2008
Happy Birthday Dad
Today is my Dad's birthday.71 today.
We celebrated together... seven of us in all. It was a special lunch of roast lamb, birthday cake and chocolate brownies shared with good company.
Happy Birthday Dad.
x
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