It's that New Orleans thang ...

I love a bit o' nostalgia mixed with unihibited joy ... so I checked out Clint Maedgen and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to see what they were getting up to over here.



(love the bicycles in this one)

21st-Century Kilts and other things

The other night we went to a friend's book launch. Her partner was wearing a beautifully tailored suit, pairing a well-cut, grey pinstriped jacket with a very snappy (pinstriped) kilt. It looked ... well ... pretty darned sharp.

Apparently the suit was from 21st-Century Kilts in Edinburgh, a small company that makes high-quality outfits for those who wish to bring a new approach to business attire. G is considering whether or not to order a kilt suit himself (I wonder how his conservative banking colleagues would react if he did? - with dismay I hope!). I like 'em.


This morning I did a little bit of shopping myself. I bought some rather gorgeous red boots and a little item that should make my commute into work more enjoyable....

Yay!

(proper pics to come soon)

Whump!

My moods have been up and down of late. On the tram this morning the sadness just came and whumped me upside the head, and I got stuck with that dreaded "uh-oh-my-chin-is-trembling---please-don't-look-at-me-or-ask-me-a-question-'cause-I-might-start-blubbering-and-you'll-think-I'm-a-madwoman...." feeling.

I will miss my dad so much. I wish I could give him a hug and continue our cheerful, fun-filled conversations.

I guess I'll just keep on enjoying the little things while waiting for time to work its magic and take the edge off a bit ...

Meanwhile, here are some snapshots for you (from Rarotonga last month):














.... wish I could show you the sublimely beautiful night sky ....

Mad hattery

I think my husband might be a hat addict.
And I'm an enabler.

Most of the new hats and caps that enter our home become part of Godfrey's ever-expanding collection.
Last night, however, I peeped over his shoulder as he was browsing through Lock and Co.'s delightful collection. I saw that women's millinery was also on offer ....








How very tempting!

Soft olive and green

So pretty!

Thanks Kris, for pointing me in this direction.

3191 Miles Apart

I just found this blog (I think it's quite new).

I'm going to keep an eye on it, 'cause I like it.

Raindancer

To whoever did a rain dance this week: thank you!
We've only had a couple of light showers so far, but it's lovely to feel a cool breeze and see the glimmer of puddles.

Please don't stop dancing....

Big day

Since arriving home on Sunday night, my head has been an absolute whirlwind .... I started my new job on Monday (feeling extremely nervous and unprepared), straight into lectures and meetings and class prep. Yesterday afternoon I went to a service for the bushfire victims - sitting out on the South Lawn at Melbourne Uni as dust and leaves swirled around in the fierce, hot winds, we were reminded of the continuing horror of this awful tragedy. A student read out a list of towns affected by the fires - it seemed to go on forever. Members of the university community who have lost their lives and homes were also remembered. It's just so sad.

This morning I took my first tutorial and attended a meeting before heading home early. This afternoon we're holding a public memorial service for my dad; I'm looking forward to celebrating the life of that wonderful man, and sharing happy memories with those who loved him. I've written the eulogy, and G will read a poem.

I think this weekend I will just try and sleep.

Number 6-6-6

I've been tagged by the lovely Sarah, asking me to post the 6th image from the 6th folder in my Pictures file. Actually I have several folders within that 6th folder, so I have taken the 6th image from the 6th folder in the 6th folder....


This photo was taken on a beach in Warrnambool (on the south-east coast of Victoria) during a 4-day field-trip for my studies last year. We were walking along the beach before breakfast, watching several racehorses going through their swimming training regime, and I saw a dead butterfly in the sand ... adorned with large dew-drops.


(click on the image to enlarge it)

Waiting...

Erk! We're trying to be patient as we sit in the transit lounge at Auckland Airport for eleven-and-a-half hours, having been squished on a 3:40am flight from Rarotonga for several hours then finding that our 'connecting' flight has been rescheduled....

I'm feeling very tired, anxious about starting my new job tomorrow and just wanting to get home after a particularly difficult couple of weeks.

.... what I'd really like now is a nice cup of tea. I'm sure it would be all the more comforting if it came with one of Jodie's beautiful teasets!