Ruby Tuesday

One of the many things I like about the red experience is that it’s made me a lot more aware of my immediate environment … which is how I found this sign on the platform of my train station.

Are you aware of whether you're are risk for kidney disease?

I know I've never thought about it.

For more ruby redness visit Ruby Tuesday at Work of the Poet.

Good things Sun 3 Jan 10

GOOD THINGS: Fresh air
There's nothing I like better than the joy of spending time outdoors in the fresh air, and that relaxed, tired feeling you get at the end of the day.

There's absolutely nothing like it.


Horace and I at the end of the Mordialloc Pier.

Neil: Fri 1 Jan 10

NEIL: Wandering around Mordi
It seemed to be fitting that the first thing Horace and I did with Neil was to wander around the neighbourhood … really to get him acclimatised to where we live but also to show off a little how nice it is here.

And I think Mordialloc has so many wonderful things to admire:


A boat travelling along the creek ... I loved the ripples.


The marina as we walked towards the pier.


Neil and Horace ... as Neil took a shot of the million dollar plus houses along the bay.


And a few of the million dollar plus houses that took Neil's fancy.


Horace and Neil at the end of the pier.


Neil reading about the bronze statue of a horse ... and their history on the area.

We really are so lucky to live in such a wonderful place.

Project 365 Thu 03 Dec 09

HOUSEWORK ... YUK!
I decided I just had to sort through the many piles of stuff I've moved around in tidying up and this is what it looks like ... a big box of nastiness!


The box ... with still more still to be dumped into it.

I was going to dump it on the bed ... I thought it would be the perfect incentive to get it tidied up before I go to bed.

Instead I felt really tired at the thought of having to go through it ... until my eye caught the frame for Tamika's present and figured that would be the perfect antidote to housework.

That seemed to put the pile into perspective, and now I'm feeling a whole lot more cheerful! LOL


This is what the frame looked like before I started ... gold and a tired picture.

And this is what it looks like now ... it worked out beautifully. Two coats of white paint and a bit of sandpaper and it's all ready for the framing.


I'm so happy with how this turned out .. much better than I expected.

Now only if I could get myself in the mood for housework. What do you do to get yourself in the mood for cleaning? I've been known to wait until everybody's out and play loud music ... very embarassing when I get caught singing and dancing along because I think I'm alone. LOL Or do you have something else that makes it so much easier for you?

Project 365 Thu 19 Nov 09

WHAT NEXT?
Recently my local council spent $250,000 (sound it out; a quarter of a million dollars!) ripping up my street and putting in new drains to 'improve' the area. The views to the north east, and south west towards Safeway post show what the street looks like after they've finished.



Nice and tidy, especially towards the south west where the council added additional car parking spaces.

But a total pain in the arse for us because they narrowed the street and took away our car parking ... and now I park on the nature strip because my daughter parks in our off street parking and we don't think it's safe to park our car on the road so close to a roundabout.

So what's happening now ... without a word of warning workmen turn up and ask us to move our car because four car parking spaces are going in at the front of our property.


The view I was presented with as I walked down the street from the train station.

I'm not complaining about the the parking spaces because it's been a bloody nuisance for us since they altered the road about a year or so ago ... but do you think they could ask before they rip up the road in the first place or even before they decided to tear up the nature strip to add parking?


The gaping hole they made today ... and apparently four car parking spaces are going to take a month to create.

It's our money they're spending after all ... or am I just getting a little bolshie?

Project 365 Thu 12 Nov 09

SO THIS IS PROGRESS?
I arrived home last night to a letter from the local council... I assumed I must have paid my rates late or have an overdue library book (all the time knowing this couldn't be the case) and I opened it to learn that a developer intends to build 32 units where the local church hall currently stands!

I wondered where it would all go ... and sadly this is what I expected.


The happy news in black and yellow.

And what an outcome ... a two storey building on a site that's half an acre in size!


That's right ... 32 units on this site.

They seem to be pulling down the priest's manse as well ... something I had no idea about.

I walked past about a week ago thinking it looked untidy and wondering when they were likely to clean it up, walked past it two days ago and a fence had gone up (and here was me thinking the fence was overkill to clean up the yard!). The following day a workman up a ladder pulling the facing boards off, and the same night I arrived home (yesterday) the house was almost reduced to a skeleton.


The half demolished manse from my corner.

And I contrast this with the half acre site across the road which recently had around 12 units built on it ... and the people there seem to be living on top of each other.


The new development across the road from the proposed 32 units ... this site was previously a house and a vacant block next door.

So what next ... add my complaints I think to the many others who will have to be gobsmacked by this sort of development.

Mordialloc is a quiet bayside suburb with a family, low density feel to it. People, like me, moved here away from the higher density inner city living as a conscious decision. Our streets are wide and clean, and quiet, and I'd like to keep them that way. Adding 32 flats to half an acre doesn't add anything positive in my view.

Project 365 Sat 7 Nov 09

RUBBISH COLLECTION WEEK
The streets are overflowing with all manner of stuff ... it's rubbish collection week next week.


What I really wanted to find was some kitchen chairs ... although I kinda fancied this office chair from the 50s or 60s.

For the first time we haven't had much to put out ... an old VCR player and a floor board is about all, although I've tidied up the shared car parking spaces and cleaned up a few things dumped there.


I added our stuff to this neighbour from across the road ... there just wasn't enough to bother putting it on our nature strip.

I also took a wander around to check out what others have put out and it was mostly junk.


One of the neighbours had put out three huge cat scratching posts.

No treasure for me this year.

Project 365 Sun 1 Nov 09

POMPEI'S BRIDGE
Everytime I turn around something changes in my local area, oftentimes nothing big ... but enough to make me think I need to be more vigilant about taking photos of the things I see every day.

One of the big changes has been the upgrade of Mordialloc's bridge from a single lane to two lanes in either direction, and its renaming as Pompei's Bridge.


Looking across the new bridge towards the pub on the far side.

I've lived in Mordialloc for over 20 years, but I'm not really a 'local' ... I'm really one of those nasty yuppies who work all week and live by the beach for lifestyle reasons.


Pompei's Landing, to the left of the bridge in the first photo and in between the bridge and the boat yard in the background.

But that doesn't mean that I haven't heard of Jack Pompei and his contribution to Mordialloc. His boat building workshop is a major landmark as you cross the bridge over Mordialloc Creek, as is the boat ramp close by.


The boat yard looking on to the highway ... still as full of unfinished boats as when Jack Pompei was alive.

And it was around the time the bridge was being upgraded I learnt more about him and his unselfish work with water rescues ... with more than 600 people in fact. An amazing contribution, and I love that he received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to marine search and rescue in Port Phillip Bay.


The view of the bridge from the other side of the road, looking towards Pompei's boat ramp in the background.

When the call went out to name the bridge I didn't really think there was any contest ... it was Pompei's Bridge or nothing. He's definitely a big part of Mordialloc.


This time Pompei's boat ramp ... the bridge, boat ramp, landing and boat yard are all within a few steps of each other.

It makes me smile whenever I see the name plate for the bridge ... Jack Pompei deserves it.


It's nice seeing the name of the bridge.

Day 11 Blogtoberfest 2009 Painted building in Mordialloc

It was such a beautiful day I decided to wander around Mordialloc to explore other people's creativity ... and hit on this building.


This is the first sight of the building as you walk along the path that goes under Pompeii Bridge.

It doesn't seem to have a discernible purpose ... from the outside at least.

And for all intents and purposes this building was painted in 2004 and I've hardly taken any notice of it ... my apologies for that!

My lack of awareness is the reason behind participating in Project 365 for 2009 ... because, well, keeping my eyes on the ground wasn't finding me any money; so I was well overdue to start looking up!

It turns out the painting is done by a Mordialloc artist called Derek Kent with a number of artistic achievements to his name ... you learn something every day. His website is worth a look.


The signature by the local artist Derek Kent (2004).


The view of the building which faces the Mordialloc Creek; it's actually a view of a carnival in Mordialloc during the 1920s.


A close up of the guy watching the carnival ... love him.


The side of the building as you keep walking away from the bridge.


The side that faces the street ... celebrating indigenous culture through the flag and a spear thrower fishing.


And a close up of this last 'aboriginal' side of the building ... this was my favourite part of it.

Day 10 Blogtoberfest 2010 I can't stop sneezing

I'm allergic to two things: dust (hence my aversion to house cleaning) and those little yellow daisies I always thought were called cakeweed. (Any ideas what they're called since google doesn't throw up anything called cakeweed?)


A close up of cakeweed, taken on the church lawn across the road.

I've hardly seen cakeweed for years ... and I realise it must be because of the drought. There just hasn't been enough water for them to flower.

But we've been lucky enough to have quite a bit of rain during September, and now
those little babies are everywhere.

It's a brilliant thing getting more rain ... but it sucks having to rememeber to take a double dose of hay fever medication when I'm going to stay out all day.

Gee ... what a hard life I have!

Day 5 Blogtoberfest 2009 Change doesn't always mean improvement

Since arriving back I've been bemused by this sign, affixed not once, but twice, to the fence next to the train station.


The first sign as you approach the station.

Now I have no problems with them fixing up this access point to the train station ... because it's always been a paid for able bodied and disabled people.

Over the 20 years of my walking to this train station I've had my share of almost landing on my arse in the wet as I run around this corner for the train ... not to mention a couple of times where I actually achieved it!

And it's no surprise given the weird angles and the bitumen paving.


Looking across the tracks to the corner ... even before you hit the corner it's on an agle and angles up more steeply as you rund the corner.

So if I, an able bodied adult in relative control of my arms and legs, have had this experience it must be hell for pregnant women and people in wheelchairs ... not to mention every other disability I can't think of right now.

Thus far the sides of the walk way now have an additional handrail ... all very useful I'm sure except there've always been handrails on the left hand side.


The extra rails on either side of the walkway (not really required) ... and a view of the corner from a different angle.

And then there are the markings on the path as you walk towards the entrance to the train.


The markings on the ground ... you can see the word landing and ramp appears elsewhere.

Do you think this means they're going to put steps in ... I suppose that might be an improvement although if I had a wheelchair or even a pram I might be a little p*%#ed at having to go the long way to get to the station entrance.

And I'm still not clear what's going to be done to address that corner that presents the biggest risk to life and limb. That's where work really needs to be done.

Stay tuned for what they do ... with extreme luck before Blogtoberfest is over!

Project 365 Sun 24 May 09

ONE BLOCK FROM HOME
I was thinking about what to put for my next post when it occurred to me how much is concentrated in just a one block radius of home in any direction.

North East
Looking past the house and down the hill there's a large park at the bottom of the hill (roughly where the car driving towards us is). The park's so large it covers about two blocks itself and on our side there's a Guide Hall on the corner, the cricket nets (where they practice), and part of the general area.


My car is the most obvious on the left with Clarissa's white car hidden behind it.

North West
This block is smaller but there's far more in it than any of the others. On the corner is an Anglican Church, at the end is a Presbyterian church, and in between is the local State primary school the girls attended. On the right at the end is a funeral parlour.


The most obvious thing is the school and the school crossing.

South West
This is the busiest block, pointing towards the highway. On the right is the church on the corner, the manse (behind the cream picket fence) and the church hall just past it. The same church hall I referred to a week or so ago ... and it's now sold. You can also see the train gates and how close the shopping centre is to home. Great for walking to do our weekly shopping.


This is the view I get each day as I walk to the train station.

South East
This is the last view and the one I least travel. At the end on the right is the local Catholic primary school and a small corner store opposite. On one of the other corners is a large open area used by the school for sports.


It's impossible to see anything because of the curve.

Project 365 Sat 23 May 09

CLEANING OUT
This morning Wini and I walked down to the op shop to drop off off some of the things we've sorted out recently. Wini because she's going overseas and me because I thought it was a great idea.


The rear entrance where stuff is dropped off.

Horace has always been the best op shopper. He's the person who first showed me the bargains and treasures you can find at an op shop and we went regularly when the girls were little. That's changed a little recently, but they're always my first choice for books and crockery.

And this place is a landmark in Mordialloc. It looks kinda dumpy and it is. It's one of those dark, musty smelling places that typify op shops. But it's also a great place for books, glass and crockery. And always my first choice for dropping off stuff.

Project 365 Tue 19 May 09

EARLY MORNING MADNESS
Having been up since 3.30am this morning (I couldn't sleep!) and exhausted all available entertainment options (putting away dishes, watching Eurovision clips on Youtube, hanging wet laundry inside to dry and reading my blog list), I thought I'd try my photo of the day.

Now, saying I'm never up this early is no exagerration. Only a wet bed (not mine you understand; the girls when they were little!) or a plane ride somewhere gets me out of bed before 7am. But for today it's meant I noticed the fog and looming sunrise when I brought wet washing indoors, and they got me excited with how it would photograph.

And here's the result ...


The view towards the train station from my front door.

I like how this turned out. The combination of mist, sunrise and the flashing lights from the railway crossing (a train was arriving at the station) have created something I'd normally never see.

And all shot with my SLR and without a flash. I thought for a minute it wouldn't work because the shutter speed was so low (shutter: 1/6, aperture: 1.4) for those who understand. For those who don't these are very dangerous numbers without a tripod!

Project 365 Fri 6 Mar 09

THE MOON
Horace has turned me into a moon watcher, and every time I'm outside I look for it.

So when I saw how beautiful it looked surrounded by the most amazing pink clouds I immediately grabbed my camera.


An almost full moon above the neighbour's house.

Project 365 Sun 22 Feb 2009

LOVE GERBERAS
It's been a few days since I felt like taking a photo and I've decided I'm not going to sweat it. It's supposed to be fun, and if it's not and I need a rest from it ... well and good!

Today's photo of the day are the beautiful gerberas I bought today.


Gerberas on the chest I keep my scrapbooking magazines on.

Horace and I went shopping today and the store had the most brilliant display of gerberas--two bunches for $7! Talk about a visit to a happy place and for little more than the price of a coffee.

I can't stop looking at them they're so beautiful.

Project 365 Day 46 (Sun 15 Feb 09)

Christianity might be a good thing if anyone ever tried it (George Bernard Shaw)
We live across the road from a church, we live a block away from a second church, Horace was christened Catholic, I was christened Church of England ... but we're not religious and I'm not spiritual.


The tower from St Nicholas, the Anglican church across the road.

When I was little I loved going to church. I distinctly remember around age 8 or 9 getting myself up and dressed on a Sunday morning, my mother giving me five cents and me walking the km or so to a Presbyterian Church. I remember being amazed as I sat in the pew and listened patiently to the minister ... all the time waiting to be called for Sunday School.

And I still, probably sentimentally, think that I should go to church at Christmas. It's all part of the ritual of Christmas together with nativity plays, Christmas trees and carol singing.

In Australia--well, in many countries really--the church is becoming irrelevant as a daily force in people's lives. I think I understand that.

But it also exerts an important moral force because of the impact of the 10 commandments on the legal system and on how we live our lives. Things such as thou shalt kill and thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife.

And I wonder whether it's a shame that commitment to such a strong force for good is waning until I remember that more arguments (including wars between countries) have been fought as a result of religion ... and I go back to my usual undecided.

Mordialloc Beach 27 Jan 2009

Yesterday I wandered down to the beach again at 8.30pm and took some photos.

And there was no shortage of people taking advantage of the cooler weather: they were swimming, snorkeling, fishing, ski jetting, scuba diving, BBQing and the playground was full of children. It might just as easily have been mid afternoon as sunset.

I just wish I'd got shots of everything I saw, although I got one I can't put up. I offered and took a photo of a couple using their camera.

But no doubt I'll be back on the pier before it gets cooler. Oops, I forgot. Stupid me! I have a week until I see cold weather!


Busy Mordialloc Beach around 8.30pm.


The sun going down. Not the most exciting sunset, although it was good to see how my camera behaved.


Jet skiers on their way into the Mordialloc Creek. One guy has two children on the jet ski with him and it was nice to see them all wearing lifejackets.


A family of three fishing together. It was really cute to see the dad helping his kids.


The busy pier in the dying rays of the sun.

PHOTOGRAPHY NOTE: All the photos were taken during sunset or, in the case of the pier, just after sunset. The photos were shot with my fixed 50mm 1.4 lens; a fantastic lens for low light and one that helps low light look like daylight.

The only time the camera/lens doesn't do so well is when it has to cope with objects at either end of the light spectrum (eg the pier/ rocks and the lighter sky/water). But I like the shot of the pier the way it is, and think it has a charm of its own.