08 May 2009

The Best Video Clip

Stand by Me

Something that I can relate to no matter where I am in this world.

Perimenopause and Winter in June Ahead!

Ok..almost a month since I posted something here. Still struggling on getting all my safari photos in facebook. Ravelry....well, where can one find the damn time to get on the internet with the work that I am doing all f#$%*g day on the computer? I have started other knitting projects and the novelty of taking photos and spending time to upload and update Ravelry, facebook, personal email and this blog...drudgery.

Saw in the news that a guy won the 'best job in the world'; blogging while living on Hamilton Island here in Queensland. I would not qualify if I had diarrhea every day in Africa. As you can see my mood about computer time will not work for me. Can you see how perimenopause is now affecting me? Now winter is coming into my world again!!! I just got out of it. AAAAHHH!

Btw, here is a great photo...this poor guy was trying to make the moves on a special lady but we spoiled it for him shortly afterwards - got a photos before complete shrinkage.


Here is what I am looking for these days but haven't found the opportunity to seek this potential:



Mood swings and abdominal cramps galore.....definately hormone changes happening. Meanwhile work is heating up. I frankly am experiencing my dream of living here in Oz but what timing in my life. I met a very nice lesbian (sexual preference is very open down here) who localized from Canada earlier this week. She made me miss my kitties since she transported 3 cats into quarrantine when she moved here. She lives in Sydney but travels for her work as well. We shared cat stories, she shared her experience of localizing with her partner and now filing for citizenship. I am still not sure if I would stay here permanently or else my kitties would be down here in a heartbeat. The apartment that I am living in now is across the street from a night club. They have extremely loud and vibrating live music on the weekends. One week they also woke me up on a Wednesday night with the howling maniacs in front. Now am looking for another place to live in the "city suburbs" instead of the CBD (central business district). I can tell I am definately getting old when the noise factor is bothering me. Living in tall city buildings = sound filter magnified.

Here is one last note for this posting....it's May and I have my shipment of stuff finally in Sydney port - quarrantined. Dont' know when it will be shipped to my location in Melbourne. January > May - good timing to get my comforters and sweaters! I am freezing at night with my bathrobe, first knitted cardigan as my blanket at night and wooley socks on my feet. Therefore I am not having a very good month thus far. One good note, my house was rented end of March. Still bleeding money out of every orifice but I don't notice it if I don't have time to know any difference. A nice meal in the evening cost $50 Aussie dollars; translates to ~$35 USD.

Enough of the Babylon for now.....Cheers and Ta!

12 April 2009

Photo Safari

Here are my highlight photos from Tanzania. We went to Tangerie National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and then the Seregeti National Park for 4 nights of camping; to view the wildlife. I woke up 2 nights in Seregenti by lion noises; they were that close in our camp. Learned the animals in Swahili. All a terrific experience for the adventurous. These photos are from Tangerie National Park...there were more animals (e.g. lionesses) that we saw but these photos were the closest and the best from my little sure-shot Olympus camera.

Yes, they get that close to us in the jeeps.









This is the smallest antelope in Africa called 'dikdik'.




Sunrise at the Berunge Camp site where are permanent luxurious tents were pitched on wooden platforms.

More animal pics to follow...only can upload so much a day.

04 April 2009

Entry from a Globe Trotter

In case anyone is wondering and still reading here....I am home in Melbourne from a month-long sabbatical. The trip entailed flying to California for the Jane Thornley workshop in San Juan Capistrano, Oxnard condo stay, to flying to Tanzania via Amsterdam to start my African safari. Then I flew back via Amserdam to LAX, stayed overnight then flew back the next evening to Melbourne. It's not world travel; it's globe trotting! I did this before when I lived in the UK: flew back to US to fly to New Zealand only to return back to the States to get back to the UK for work in 2005.

I kept a paper journal of the daily events while in Africa so I will not be rewriting the details here. My photos are not great since I ony have a small Olympus shure-shot camera with just a 3x zoom. Others in my travel group had a 10x zoom or a 200x lens on their digitals. I am not worthy for technology this time around; I used to be queen of technology on such trips. I am loosing my touch or probably more pre-occupied for such priorities. Once I have my photos and others' available, I will be posting them here in another entry. The winner of imagery is between seeing lion cubs in a pride or watching a newborn gazelle takes it first steps, slimy with the birthing on it still. Now I see how the Lion King story was created. There is the 'circle of life' while in the Ngorongoro Crater.

Here is what I have to say about Africa: everyone should take the opportunity to see this developing country to understand how we take EVERYTHING for granted in life. Yes, I know some of you wouldn't want to take such a trip because it's uncomfortable or inconvenient to your king and queen lifestyles. It is a life changing experience to visit with the local African tribe and learn about the differences of our cultures.

As for now...I am very jet lagged and I imagine it will take a full week before I am really back to normal.

27 February 2009

"I love your Accent!"

Here are more of my adventure of Down Under before I return to the States. In case you are wondering; I am returning for my Sabbatical and then to the African safari.

A bunch of very young girls heard me speaking at the tram stop in the evening. I said something and they all said, "I love your accent!" Isn't that great! I have always been facinated by Aussie accents as well. I am surprised that they understand me when I speak faster however I am not able to understand when they speak faster with their cool accents. Even an American here cannot undertstand me but then there is something wrong with the other American in my company...(long story)

Walking around the city for more sites. They are famous for the beautiful art in the ally ways.

Still love the Victorian buildings in Albert Park. This is where I have found a wonderful yarn shop, same as what I used to hang around in Anacapa Fine Yarn in Ventura.



Here is a Magpie couple in a park, female squawking at me for food.




Then of course I couldn't resist in buying another project to make - my shipment of stash is STILL in Long Beach. They are waiting for my crate to fill a vessel before it's shipping overseas. The yarn store is called "Wool Baa" in Albert Park.

Work: had a successful client session event that was straight foward on what is to be presented. It marks a mid-way point of our events but lots of work to accomplish before the system goes "live". They love my story of the "Black Robbers" that was circling around in the USA emails and also a true story. It's a good story to break the ice while reflecting the same perspective with our project efforts. Have to be creative for the audience to keep them awake and amused for such drone material. I just keep knitting when I can in the evenings; long hours in the office prevents me to finish as fast as I did while in US. Hard to be on conference calls since I worked out of my home office. Here I am in a real office every day - no knitting during the working hours.


Finally got a fridge, washer and furniture in the apartment. But before all that was in, I took this photo: my sole worldly possessions in the official first night staying there. What would I do without my ladybug?

06 February 2009

More Creature Comforting

More hot and thirsty Koala photos...these were sent to me; I wish I had that in-person encounter. Poor guy had to stop a bicyclist for water. Some day when I have my real life back....


04 February 2009

Creatures of Australia and Misc.

Have secured my apartment so I will have a wonderful view of the city and the torches along the South Bank at night. Moving all my immediate belongings in weekend of 16 Feb even though I have access starting the 6th. Taking advantage of all amenities for free while I still have the time alloted.

Here are cute photos that were sent....a result of the dry hot heat we are having down here. Otherwise, I will be very consumed in work and moving therefore not be blogging too much in the next few weeks. Enjoy the expressions in these photos - I couldn't stop smiling when I first saw these.

"It has been so hot in South Australia for over a week…40+ degrees Celsius everyday, very dry also.

A guy at work lives at Maude. His wife sent him these photos of a little Koala which just walked into the back porch looking for a bit of heat relief. She filled up a bucket and this is what happened!"