Monday, February 27, 2012

keeping cool

The air conditioning unit decided to pack it in at the most inconvenient of times – i.e. this weekend. Nathan cooled off by making a v-line straight to the country and the comfort of his mum's place (which has air conditioning). I stupidly decided to stay in Melbourne (being the last weekend before the trip). By saturday arvo, the heat had become too unbearable (and one can only loiter at the NGV until 5pm). So... I decided to turn to Metro. Yes, I actually went to Flinders Street, found myself a train, and went for a ride for the hell of it. I caught the train to Sandringham and enjoyed the cooler temps afforded by the train carriage for 1.5 hours before having to make my way back to the apartment where I sweltered for the rest of the night. Oh well, at least I had a brief respite from the heat.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Slow week


I'm very happy that it is actually friday today. It has been an incredibly slow week for me. In fact, it was such a slow week that I woke up on Wednesday thinking it was Friday (I've never hated a wednesday so much).

I'm not sure why my perception of time has been so out of whack this week. Maybe it's because Nathan has been in Asia on holiday and I have been missing him. Or maybe it's the body's coping mechanism...too many things going on before my own trip and I have a lot to do before then. Anyhow, with Nathan due back today, it'll be interesting to see how quickly time flies next week in the lead up to Europe.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The call of the Swedes

Am off to Sweden for a workshop next week. It's a pretty sweet deal...all expenses paid in return for a 40 minute talk. The hosts have promised a good time and I'm sure they will deliver. And I'll be flying on an A380 for the first time too.

The temperatures in Sweden at this time of year might be a bit of a shock though (especially considering I'll be coming from Summer here in Melbourne and then heading back out to Central Australia immediately after my return from Europe).

Monday, February 13, 2012

Photo shoot

A photographer and stylist came to our apartment this morning to photograph the interior for a newspaper's lifestyle magazine. It was a really fun process in which to be involved.

The stylist played around with some of the furnishings....she moved the dining table a few inches towards the centre of the room, swapped a cushion on a chair, perked the flowers I had bought for the dining table (water lilies) and shifted a floor lamp ever so slightly so that it was in view. For the most part, she kept things pretty much as they were.

The photographer took heaps of shots, playing around with the back lighting (with a bed sheet) to get rid of the reflections that were obscuring some of the paintings on the wall. He will manipulate the images later, picking the best elements from each photo to get the 'perfect' shot. In my mind, however, every shot already looked amazing. In fact, because of the way the picture is framed, the photos look better than the reality!

Two hours later, it was over. Am looking forward to seeing the finished product when it comes out.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

fancy dinner


Went to a fancy black tie fund-raiser last night. It is not the kind of thing I do often and it feels surreal to be in a room with corporate and political types (including an ex-prime minster, current and past Victorian premiers, and the opposition leader) and to be part of a crowd being serenaded by Kate Cebrano (who was a highlight by the way).

The dinner honoured two amazing Australians and their journeys to success were inspiring, especially in light of their humble beginnings. One, a high school drop out, ended up heading Australia’s largest trucking company. The other, the son of migrants, became CEO of a major car company and is now head of one of Australia’s most iconic mining companies. Both appear to be extremely decent and down to earth people. Yes, it was surreal but it was also a very special night.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Blogger get together

Caught up yesterday with fellow bloggers Tim and Dr Nic who drove all the way out to uni to meet me for lunch. It was a very nice meeting and we had a lot to chat about...they are both very intelligent and funny. And it only occurred to me afterwards that they are also the very first gaysian couple I've ever met! Unfortunately, the lunch ended too quickly and I had to get back to work. Am looking forward to seeing them again, next time with Nathan. I'm particularly keen to check out Nic's balcony garden and Tim's photo art.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

baaa zarre...


I was on my way to the ever delectable laksa king for lunch yesterday when, all of a sudden, a goat runs across the road near Royal Park. It was being chased by a man and a woman.

I have no idea where the goat came from (the zoo?) or where it was going but I hope it go there.