haste vs speed

it's barely 2007 and i already feel like i'm rushing around, doesn't seem right!

Thwack!

It seems an UnMelbournian thing to say, but I am really not a sporty/ sportloving/ sportsanything person.
It's sad but true!
Despite living in walking distance to the MCG, I have been to one footy match in my whole life - that's a long time (also sad but true)!

However, the only exception I make for sporting spectatorship is the tennis. My childhood summer holidays were largely spent in front of the teev, watching tennis. It has rules that I understand (cricket? how does that go again?) and it's something I could possibly even play myself - one day (except maybe lawn bowls, is that a sport? ;p).

Thwack - thwack - thwack.

Normally, we grab a ground pass for the AusOpen and take our chances on the outside courts - hoping to see a great match. This year, we braved the heat and headed out to the east for the Kooyong Classic, a great tournament that features 8 of the top-ranked men on the circuit.
We were treated to Stepanek vs Federer, Safin vs Nalbandian, Roddick vs Haas and Murray vs Ljubicic, and it was pretty exciting to see these guys beyond the little square box.

As the temperature hit the mid-30s, I took this photo in a mild attack of jealousy of those under the covers.

The poor people's seats (with our free Age bags as cushioning).Andy vs Tommy: note the spectators huddled under the shade of the large, tall tree.

Not that I only post about cute fuzzy toys, but also check out Unicef's Feder-bear: http://www.unicef.org/people/people_35676.html

Ring a ring a rosie...

I'm sure I can make her hand fit mine...

You Am I fans together now: Woo-oooo!

Who'd thought You Am I's reach included a convenience store in Toronto?

I See Red

L->R, T->B

A humble Montmartre fruit shop / Deux vins rouge\ Random sign, random small green woman

Napoleon's lurve seat (ahem, yup it's a 3-seater) \ Bloomin' marvellous / Adelaide

Pompidou/ Berry nice! \ Vroooom vrooom Valiant

Of all the colours in the rainbow, red is able to represent the whole spectrum of passion. Sure, orange is pretty chirpy but when you Really Wanna SMASH SOMEONE... [punching fist into palm]
See? Orange just doesn't cut it.

Red can be anger, love, evil, happiness, luck, the warmth of a fire, the heat of the sun, speeeed (hoons take note: red cars go faster - NOT canary yellow ones) and what dessert is complete without a red something- berry /rose petal /flame on a candle? Imagine a lamington without the jam? a pavlova without the strawbs? a blackforest cake without the cherries?

And maybe this could be my favourite RED moment: if travelling and feeling just a little bit homesick, think of Dorothy clicking her sparkling pair of red shoes [click click] [click click].

For other musings on RED, check out Cassiopeia Gegenbaurer III, Vernoona, Serenity Later, Sartorial and Flygirl.

Frog and Bear

I've recently been toying with felt and it's so wonderful! Very simple and easy to use: all you need is some stuffing, glue and a blanket stitch or two - many new ideas and possibilities sprouting!

Please allow me to introduce Frog and Bear.

Long time visitors may recognise Frog who made his first (bi-focal) appearance ~10 months ago. As you can see, Frog's already learned that life's tough - especially when you're hanging off a backpack. Still, I reckon that he retains a whole lotta charm despite being a cyclops.

Bear has only recently been completed and was introduced to his new owner last
week so hopefully he's out and about in Brisvegas, lapping up the northern
summertime sunshine!

For Frog and Bear activities of another kind, go here.

[PS: It's all ok, Frog experiences the world safely from Dr Kath's backpack
sidepocket these days. Cheers to Dr Kath for her great pic!]

Baaaaaa

I've lived in Melbourne my whole life and I've only just recently visited the Collingwood Children's Farm. Situated less than 2km away from the CBD with the Yarra River bike path running through their gardens, the Farm is open everyday and provides a little bit of country in the big smoke.

Although we arrived when it was closed, big or small city kids can still walk along the river and check out the cuuute goats, sheep and horsies. In fact,the baby animals ran in a big mob towards us and scrambled at the fence - they are definitely not afraid of people!Unfortunately, we didn't get to check out the Farm Cafe, but we did like their illustrations accompanying the menu.

Don't forget to drive a bit further along Yarra Boulevard for a lovely view of the Melbourne skyline.....another glimpse of the sheep...

Summer = BBQ

Summertime means BBQ time!
As much as we'd all like to be Merv Hughes in a BIG truck on a BBQ mission, a simple gathering with family and/or friends is just as good! This is a plate of goodness from a previous summer thanks to Kaz and Alex. Delicious!
May your summertime BBQs be this good!