For The Child Within...

Last night, like thousands others, we congregated on the side of a hill in singlets and sandals and watched in awe at the magical light display in Queens Park. Nestled alongside parents with their toddlers and elderly couples on lawn-chairs - every one of us with our eyes transfixed on the sky waiting for that first flash and bang. And then...

We oohed and aahed, pointing at each new explosion of colour, and as the last sparkling light fizzled down the crowds cheered and applauded.

For twenty minutes, we were all children again...

and now for 30 seconds you can be a child again too!
 

How did you spend your New Years Eve?

Byron Bound

I must admit that Summer is my favourite of all the seasons (Winter being the least). I find so much joy in it's warmth and brightness - days filled with icy cold drinks, sun dresses and top knots, afternoon siestas, swimming, road-trips, juicy stone fruits and of course, the Holidays.

Yesterday, was one of those Summer days.

We packed up the car, plugged in some sweet tunes and set the GPS South, to Ballina. The next 5 hours* were spent laughing, singing, waving at passers-by, and eating 'roast chicken and KFC-chip' sandwiches. In true Queenslander-style we chatted about the time difference** as we crossed the QLD-NSW border, and sighed relief that we would soon glimpse that vast and shimmering blue ocean.

As 6pm (or 5pm est) neared, the sun still high, the car was parked, and we dove into the cool, crashing waves. For an hour we delighted in the warm sun on our backs and sand between our toes. We explored rock pools and watched children chase gulls across the sandbar. As as the sun began to kiss the cliff tops, we piled back into the car, salty skin and dripping curls, bound for home.

These are my favourite Summer days - adventurous and candid - celebrating this beautiful season.

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How do you spend your Summer days?

Photograph #2 by Ayden Roberts

* For some ungodly reason we took the longest possible route to the North Coast - through Stanthorpe, Tenterfield and Lismore...yet had we not gone the 'back way' we would not have driven over the highest, narrowest, rickety-est bridge or seen the most gorgeous rolling countryside with foals and lambs galore. (The trip home was much faster, along the coast and up the Mountain.)

** Why, oh why is Queensland still so behind? (or ahead...?) - this topic spurred on much conversation, and dad-jokes about 'time' and the such.

Star Struck

Today involved gushing like a girl in love and employing every good brain cell to refrain from asking for autographs*.

Today, I met Carol Burns.

You may be asking "who?" or (hopefully) feeling envious of me!

If you're an Aussie and watched T.V in the 70's/80's (or like myself, watch it on cable now) you may know of the great Aussie soap opera Prisoner (also known as :Cell Block H in the UK and USA, and Caged Women in Canada), if not, Google it , watch it on You Tube, or better even GO OUT AND RENT IT NOW! It is iconic! Many of Australia's most well known female actors (and a few males) have walked the corridors of Wentworth Prison; Maggie Kirkpatrick (currently performing throughout Oz in Wicked), Judith McGrath (also well known as Von in All Saints), and Colette Man (currently on Neighbours as Sheila Canning) to name just a few.**

So, back to Carol Burns. She is a founding member of the Queensland Theatre Company, played the iconic 'lesbian enforcer' Frankie Doyle in Prisoner, which won her a Logie for Best Lead Actress in a Series, has performed both on stage and in front of the camera in numerous award winning productions, has received several acting nominations and awards, and is currently here, on the Mountain, directing The Female of the Species (written by Joanna Murray-Smith) at the Empire Theatre. Now, in her 60's, she is still performing, regularly with the Queensland Theatre Company, directing, presents acting workshops, throughout Australia, and internationally. 

She is truly inspiring, and one of the most generous performers I have had the pleasure of meeting. 

Today, my day was made!

* Autographs might have pushed us into 'scary groupie' status, but we couldn't pass up a photo op! ;) 
** The series employed over 200 (207, to be exact) actors over its 8 seasons! Oh, to be an aspiring actress back then!

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I have another couple of 'star struck' posts in the works; including, sitting within spitting distance of Geoffrey Rush, and the incredibly queer performance artist 'Stelarc', so check back soon!

Highlights, Lowlights and Down lights

So, I haven't posted in about a week! I hate that, as I promised myself if I started a new blog I would be fully committed, and I feel as if I've failed already. Time has just gotten away from me this week.

Excuses aside, I figured I'd do a little check in and update you on what I have been up to this week. It's been a doozy!

Fri - Sam and I found out that our friend and university lecturer Dr Marilyn Meier Kapavale had passed away. A magnificent pianist, doting mother and dear friend; she was a truly inspiring woman, who put her family first and never ceased to bring a smile to my face every time I saw her. I'll cherish every memory. 

Sat - After a wonderful night celebrating the end of semester with friends, I spent most of the day pottering around the house and enjoying a relaxed and chilled day with Sam and the animals. This was probably the easiest day I've had in the last week...I miss its simplicity. We also capped our internet today...it's gonna be a low, slow week ahead!

Sun - It's rare for me to have a weekend off, especially a Sunday, so Sam and I woke up early for some brekky and a trip to the markets! It was a beautifully crisp winter morning (unusual for me to enjoy as I dread chilly winter weather) with great food and company. 
* I have a post in the works with some pictures from our morning, so check back soon!

Mon - Sam and I had planned to get away for a couple of days to Byron Bay, but after a few unfortunate family issues that put a damper on our trip. I have to admit that I was (and still am, to be honest) upset that we didn't get to spend some time away, but I'm sure we'll get another chance soon. We're madly saving at the moment to make our first overseas trip together in early 2013, to visit some of Sam's closest friends who live in the States. I'm incredibly excited for Sam, as she's had some of these friends for 5 or more years and they've never met in person, but often talk everyday via blogs and boards. We're so excited!

Tue - I had the most amazing bubble bath in the evening! I hadn't had a hot, bubbly bath in a couple of months and I have to say, it was divine! I set up the laptop, popped in a movie, filled up the tub and soaked my worries away for a good hour or so. It was made all the lovelier when Tig (our dog) decided that she would keep me company and slept on the bath mat. Precious. 

Wed - I changed my very first down light! It has taken me a long time to get around to doing it but I can now proudly say I have done it! I've had an incredible fear of changing the down lights in our house for a while now...the thought of creepy-crawlies coming our of the fixture-yuck! A few weeks ago the light on our front stoop blew and the only time I'd remember to change it was when I went to turn it on at duck. It finally got to the point that not having a front door light was getting beyond annoying, and slightly dangerous. 
Now that I've overcome that hurdle, there's handful of blown bulbs with my name written all over them!

Thu - Today I was back at work, which I really enjoyed as I like the routine of getting up early for work and then spending the evenings at home, cooking dinner and relaxing. Tonight, while Sam sleeps, I have been chasing the two kittens around the house and doting on them as if they were my very own babes. It's been beautiful watching them grow from newborns to plump-bellied, wobbly-legged 5 week old kittens. The next 5 weeks will be bitter-sweet as we prepare them to go off to new families who will get to enjoy more of their soft purrs and quirky personalities.  

 I hope you've had a wonderful week so far! and I promise to be back again soon! :)