Saturday, February 24, 2018

New Qantas livery

Qantas has painted one of their newest Boing 787s in an aboriginal design based on a painting by one of the country's most renowned indigenous artists, the late Emily Kngwarreye. Those who know Emily's works might be a bit disappointed. I don't think the design is easily recognisable as being representative of her work. Still, it's great that the national carrier is honouring a great artist in this way.
 The latest addition to the Qantas fleet is one of a number of planes to have been painted with aboriginal designs. Here are a few others.

And my favourite, a design based on the wonderful work of Paddy Bedford.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Happy New Year

It's the Year of the Dog. I'm in Canberra wallowing (again) in excessive feast.

Sunday, February 11, 2018

July versus September

I'm putting my hand up to host a scientific conference here in Melbourne in a couple of year's time. Its going to be a bit scary but I'm also very excited to showcase our city to an international delegation.

My immediate dilemma is to decide when would be the best time to hold the conference as dates need to be locked in several years in advance.

July would suit folks coming from Europe and North America as it coincides with their Summer break but the weather in Melbourne won't be terribly good (In the words of an Australian colleague I consulted, it will be 'bleak').

September would be better but it will be middle of teaching for scientists in the Northern Hemisphere. Plus, the dates overlap slightly with the AFL Grand Final so accommodation might be problematic.

Hmmm.





Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Nice young man on the tram

I was at the corner of Elizabeth and Swanston Street, waiting for the tram to take me up to the Queen Vic market.  A young man decided to do something constructive. He started to pick up the rubbish strewn around the tram stop. Later on, once we were on the tram, he also helped a lady with her suitcase. There are some really good people in this world.

Monday, February 5, 2018

Proteas

This week's flowers have taken over the dining table. Never mind. We tend to eat in front of the tv anyway. King Proteas and Eucalyptus caesia 'Silver Princess'.

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Waiting

I caught up with some Singaporean family friends for lunch yesterday. They were telling me about the Michelin starred hawker stall that specialises in chicken rice. It is apparently the cheapest Michelin star food outlet in the world.

The accolade has been great for business and people are willing to wait. The family friends told me about someone they knew who had travelled from Malaysia to Singapore to try the food. That person arrived at 10.45am, before the shop was even open, and there was already a queue. He got his food at 3.30pm. Apparently it was worth the wait.

I love my chicken, but I'm not sure I have the stamina to wait almost 5 hours for it.

The Michelin star shop has opened an outpost here in Melbourne. Coincidentally, I received a text from another friend yesterday afternoon. It was 4.30pm. He was standing outside the shop, keen to order some take away. He was complaining that there is already a long queue. He'll have to wait.