Day 213 - Old post office

Sometimes I discover surprising nooks and crannies - this one is a small side entrance to the former General Post Office building in the centre of Melbourne. I still remember this as an actual post office - too large with gloomy, wasted spaces; now it's transformed into a light retail space. Love my Saturday morning wanderings, sometimes aimless, sometimes on a specific quest to find the right gift or the eyeliner that won't end up like a black rainbow just below your eyebrow.

Day 212 - Guest Photographer makes tarts

Guest Photographer had a day off today and decided to make strawberry tarts. I was impressed. They look great and taste terrific. I had to include a series to document the process.

Day 211 - Melbourne City

Centre Place is one of the laneways that characterises Melbourne. In the Winter it is dark and lit up by artifical light, alive with clusters of people drinking coffee and holding intruiging conversations. Guest photographer - you probably guessed.

Day 210 - School Gala

Well, we survived the school Gala performance. Thank goodness it's a biennial event. This year was particularly disappointing. Lots more marketing for the school, and less entertainment. Yes, there were some good moments, but if I hear the words 'leadership', 'mentor' or 'humbling' again, I think I'll scream. The word 'humble' has become misinterpreted and overused. Somehow, sports commentators are humbled when watching a game, and many other people are humbled daily. How can we all be so humble?

At least the drive into the city was enjoyable.

Day 209 - Cooking ahead

My day off. Tomorrow we rush from work to a school concert, a biennial Gala performance at Hamer Hall. I decided to dedicate my day to cooking in advance. That and some mild political action in the form of cyberagitation. If you're curious, read about it here
and then read the comments. Leave a comment yourself, if you're so inclined.

And just because it's your lucky day, I thought I'd throw in a picture of my dog.

Day 208 - Pineapple party

Three pineapples got together on the couch.......that's it.

Day 207 - Fundraising lunch

Today we had a fundraising lunch for a parishioner's granddaughter who was born with disabilities after her mother had to have chemotherapy during pregnancy. The lunch combined with donations raised $3,210 which was great.

Day 206 - PLP and bloggers' dinner at Southbank

This photo actually snuck in to today's spot from last night after dinner with Sheryl Nussbaum Beach, Will Richardson, some PLP people, and other Web 2.0 enthusiasts at Southbank. Our PLP journey is coming to an end, and we're happy to have the presentation finished. I thought this was a lovely picture of Sheryl and her daughter, Grace.

Day 205 - From Southbank

I've borrowed Guest Photographer's black and white photo of Melbourne taken from Southbank. It has an ominous feel to it, and one of the Flickr comments said it looked like Gotham City (http://bit.ly/MvX9x). Today's photo will be posted tomorrow. Tonight I'm going to dinner at Southbank with my PLP cohorts and the founders of Powerful Learning Practice, Will Richardson and Sheryl Nussbaum Beach. If I don't forget my camera, there will be a photo in tomorrow's post, although don't expect a good one because my camera doesn't do good night shots. I'm looking forward to meeting people who have been brilliant and supportive online.

Day 204 - Daphne

More winter flowers. I've been at home today, feeling unwell, so the opportunity to search for a more distant photo has been foiled. I love daphne, sweet-smelling and not too showy. I have two but I'm aware that these plants are capable of dying suddenly and unexpectedly. I'll just enjoy them while they're still flowering.

Day 203 - Helleboris

I love Helleboris and the way it adds colour to the Winter landscape. This white one is so white! Amongst other favourites in the garden, I really like the deep purple one.

Day 202 - Shaun Tan introduces preview of Coraline

Well, you can almost see a glimpse of Shaun Tan's shoulder left of the curtain. I just came back from a preview of the animation Coraline by Neil Gaiman. Strange that they got Shaun Tan to introduce it. He did it competently by reading from notes he'd copied from Wikipedia, but still, it was amusing. All part of the Melbourne Writers' Festival.Loved the movie - reminded me of Series of unfortunate events and James and the giant peach. Creepy, but delicious visually, and hilarious.

Day 201 - Hit the wall

Today, to use a friend's phrase, I almost hit the wall. But then good things happened. It all balanced itself out. I like it when that happens.

Day 200 - Ripponlea at night

Last night I enjoyed an evening concert at the historic Ripponlea. A beautiful setting for music that transported me to another zone. The program included Bortniansky, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Festival Overture on piano! Borodin's Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor to name some. Rohan Murray on piano (brilliant) and my dear friend, Nicholas Cowall, conducting. Melbourne Cappella very talented

Day 199 - Quintet

Dropping off Son No. 2 to perform as part of a string quartet, I noticed a neighbouring building with this horse's head over the door. I think it was a pub, but I'll have to check next time I'm in Brunswick Street.

Day 198 - Icecream in Winter

Winter in Melbourne need not be a time for dreary isolation. Here Guest photographer and Mystery Person indulge in some Brunetti's icecream.

Day 197 - 16th birthday

My youngest turned 16 today. Not only am I unable to relate to my own age, but the spiralling years of my offspring is also freaking me out. As T. S. Eliot says, 'We had the experience, but missed the meaning'.

Day 196 - Burnt offerings

When I came home from school today, the house was permeated with a lingering burnt smell. Apparently, though, the burnt bread was scraped and taken on a picnic. I hope Guest Photographer doesn't end up burning the house down with his culinary exploits

Day 195 - Silhouettes

Guest photographer and Mystery Person have absconded with the camera again (or still). I may never regain photo blog power.

Day 194 - Skyline

Guest photographer, in his travels with Mysterious Person and the absconded camera, has taken a beautiful shot of the sunset at the Docklands, Melbourne.

Day 193 - Escape to the park

Having endured a lengthy church service (St Peter and Paul) and barbecue lunch in the hall, and despite the winter chill, some preferred the childish joys of the park.

Day 192 - Pencils!

Not many things are more joyful to the eye than an army of coloured pencils - at least that's my experience. Did you ever experience exquisite joy when, as a child, you opened a new packet of pencils? When will pencils become a standard decorative tool?

PS Guest photographer still has the camera. Can you tell?

Day 191 - Whereonearth?

Guest photographer is on the case again. Who knows where he goes? The mysterious depths of Melbourne. Can you identify this place?

Day 190 - the door!

Guest photographer ran off with the camera and came back with this picture. This is Anger and Frustration, having broken the oven door the very first time Guest Personality tried to use it.

Day 189 - Cards

There are the traditional 50th birthday cards and there are the others.

Day 188 - Birthday present

My husband is celebrating his 50th birthday tomorrow, and we've prematurely set up his present. I love other people's presents - what joy! Not even my birthday and I'm enjoying good quality speakers. No need to feel guilty, I say. Music should be enjoyed by everyone.

Day 187 - He has wheels!

Nothing like getting your license and feeling the freedom of wheels and possibilities. Of course, you might do anything to take a drive that first day - even take your brother's shoes back to the shop (twice) and visit your grandmother for coffee and biscuits.

Day 186 - Last day

Our last morning at Barwon Heads. Not trying to be painful, but this was taken from the couch in the morning. I keep imagining what it would be like to live here. Would you ever take the view for granted? I don't think so.

Day 185 - Heaven

Simple pleasures are the best. Fresh air, sun, breakfast on the pier, good reads and conversation, no cooking or housework! Why does it have to end?

Day 184 - Barwon Heads

One of my favourite parts of the world is Barwon Heads on the Bellarine Peninsula. To celebrate my husband's 50th birthday three of us stayed in a cabin by the ocean. A picture-perfect location, we literally had the ocean at our feet. Even in winter this is the place to be. The weather transformed itself continuously - one minute it was sunny and blue skies, the next the sky was a dramatic painting of greys, deep blues and whites. A relaxing weekend!

Day 183 - Sweet supplies

Holidays, and you never know who will drop in. I bought several packets of lollies and poured them into a large bowl, mixing them like a salad. The snakes are the garnish on top. Actually, although I bought these for the younger visitors, I can see that they will please all ages. We're going away to Barwon Heads for a couple of days, and I think I might steal a few (handfuls). 18 yo son is staying home and planning a dinner party, which will be his culinary initiation. Maybe I'll include some photos (I'm sure he'll take them) once I'm back Sunday night.