Catherine’s Blog

65/365 Crazy eyes

Originally uploaded by LPM

We have just had a long weekend here in Victoria, I had big plans but a number of them fell through because of weather and tiredness. Working is wringing me out like a dish rag at the moment. Having not worked since September I feeling the strain slightly.
Friday night I collapsed and vegged out, Saturday morning i was prepared to beat the real estate doors but that turned out to be a difficult task with generally unhelpful real estate agents. I gave up in a huff when it appeared that time was not on my side. Instead I went shopping for important items like washing baskets etc. I now have storage system of buckets and no clothes on the floor. Saturday afternoon I searched for places to live whilst sitting with Aliz and watching almost a whole season of NCIS. It was very relaxing as we watched the rain come down, not really realising the damage that hail was doing to parts of the state. Later in the evening I caught up with Rikard, we don’t speak as much as we used with me working. We have been spoilt up until now. The very cool news that he has booked his flight to visit! Gosh. Still a little dumbfounded someone would come across the world for little old me considering recent history.

Sunday I was up fairly early, heading off to Ballarat to visit Joyce and Arnie. Joyce quilting gropup had an exhibition and i was going to see that. First stop was watching dad make some pens. Blog post about that can be found on the Nat and Cat Blog. Joyce and went to Spotlight followed by the Embroiders Guild Exhibition. This was lovely but the fact there were no photographs was more than a little puzzling when a lot of the pieces come from kits! Then it was a yummy pizza that the Golden City Hotel before heading to see the patchwork. Joyce had displayed four quilts, all exquisite works of art. Her Journal quilt producing a lot of interest. It was a good day.
The trip home was interesting, it rained for the entire trip but little blue car called Hank did very well.

Monday the day off started very lazy, I then wandered around the house in my PJs. Tried to fabric shop, could not find what I wanted. I then relaxed. I rearranged the Linen Press. I like organising things like that, I am odd. Homemade Pizza dinner and Man Vs Food television to cap off a Perfect lazy day.
Today, work. Hard work but the news Rikard is coming made my day.

38/365 Bad Swedish

Originally uploaded by LPM

This weekend has been busy.
Friday night saw me out, going to Gulag, a goth night. It was very nice, I will be going back as it felt like it could be a tiny vagabonds or B-movie.
Saturday Natalie and i along with Fergus and Ewan headed off on along drive to see the Redhill craft market. It was very interesting and we are going to put ourselves down for it.
Saturday night I was in Kyneton playing board games, I had a lot of fun doing that. I won one and lost badly in the train one. It was A’s birthday celebration and a lovely time.

Sunday was another craft in Gisbon markets, they were not quite for us. There were people selling aprons but at really cheap prices.
Most of the afternoon was spent in the Corner hotel beer garden in Richmond with camera people. It was lovely but I must get into taking photos of other things besides me.

The sign in the photo is meant to say “Rikard thinks I am awesome” there is no Swedish word for awesome so it is bodged together.  the reason for this is he sent me a list of self portrait suggestions and this was one of them and i hacked the Swedish from online translators.  It is a little nod to meeting 12 months ago.
Today is shopping for fabric for a couple of custom aprons and lunch with F whom I went to school with.

Friday afternoon Nat and Michael headed off to a wedding in country, leaving Fergus, Ewan and I to hang for the next two days.  We hung about the house Friday, just chilling and cooking dinner.  My mash potato is apparently not as good as Nat’s in ewan’s eyes.
Friday night saw Fergus decide that coming and sleeping with me was a good idea.  The jury is out if snoring adult males or tossing small children are the worst at disturbing sleep.
Saturday we headed into Williamstown to scope out the craft market.  I got the wrong day but that was fine because it meant Fergus and Ewan got a huge chunk of time at Scienceworks.  Melbourne’s Science Museum.  It is wonderfully designed for kids.  Lots of hands on interactive stuff, things to build and push, generally just get into.  It was hard to pull them away for lunch and they had a ball in the nitty gritty city and they were quite tired when finally left.  Again my mashed potato was scorned and we watched Muppet Treasure Island.  The Swedish Chef appeared and I now am going to chase up the Swedish Chef in Swedish just to see how it is translated.
I had two visitors in the night, well early morning, Ewan wanted a cuddle and chess the cat wanted join in.  Chess was the worst, she just could not get comfortable and Ewan steals the doona!
We all piled into the car to scope the Craft Market in Williamstown, I had the right date.  It looks like a good place that we can sell our stuff, lots of middle strata parents and older couples.  The quality of stuff on sale was quite high although one of the older ladies with frilly coat hangers from baccus Marsh was there.  I am not sure how she sells stuff there, having said that the woman selling knitted toys was doing a roaring trade.
There was a lot of playing on play grounds followed.  On the way back Ewan had a sleep that ended up as a four hour nap.
Michael and Natalie returned looking a little tired but had taken some good shots of the wedding.  I may have needed a rest at that stage and had a 10 minute nap that turned into two hours.  Opps.
Sunday night was date night.  Rikard and I had organised to buy the same bottle of wine and we both dressed up (for me this was little last minute but I am glad I did because Rikard wore a shirt and tie), we drank the wine and chatted.  It really was nice, it had very much a date feel to it.  We talked about lots of things, from Icelandic to travel to the Wotwots to California Bungalows to wine.  Rikard generally drinks whiskey and bourbon so this was the first bottle of wine he has ever purchased for solely his own consumption and it was Australian!

This week will see a very busy time as we hurtle towards Christmas.  I have my Christmas photos ready to send out.  I really need to find out what is happening about New Years.  I am currently on the train to have afternoon tea with my parents and some friends.  The train is very good for catching up with blogging.  I am sitting watching the landscape whizz past with Voltaire singing about bombing New Jersey.

My weekend was a little different from the previous weekends.
Friday I was sewing with Natalie.
Saturday I cleaned with Natalie and got the house squeaky clean.
Saturday night I headed out to see Dave and Andrew in their den of iniquity.  There was a lot catching up, beer and guitar hero and general silliness.  I ended up singing quite well on the Beatles bits.  We also backed up my photos.  This was important and it appears that my hard drive has survived the long trip home.
Due to the rain overnight the croquet match was cancelled so Sunday was reasonably lazy.

Monday I headed down to Ballarat to look after the cats whilst the big it up fishing in Queenscliff.
Natalie can down to sew today and I killed Joyce’s whizz bang sewing machine.
I am here until Thursday.

Ballarat Show

Originally uploaded by LPM

This weekend saw me travel to Ballarat. My weekends have been pretty lame since arriving in Australia. I should fix that.

I went up on the train Saturday morning and had a surprise when I got to Ballarat. My Dad was there and so was my eldest cousin, Steven. I have not seen him four about fours I think. He spends sometime on his weekend just travelling on the trains. He does not always remember where he has been as he has memory issues relating to a brain aneurysm. I was surprised he recognised me as I have lost weight, had a hair cut, wear glasses and am much more jaded. Thankfully someone had told him why I was back and it had stuck, because telling him 8 times why I had come back would have been a little tough.
We had lunch and then I drove the parents out past Buninyong to a wedding. I headed back into Ballarat, dropping Steven at the station. I had a nap on the couch before changing into jeans and sensible shoes before heading to the Ballarat Show. The stalwart of country traditions the agricultural show, they are no longer as popular as they once were but I decided that it was either sitting at my parents or going out and doing stuff, with a camera.
I paid my $15 to get in and began wandering, camera in hand. I passed the rides, wandered the stalls selling bubble guns, massages and heavy metal t-shirts and headed to the machinery display. There was steam engines, combine harvesters, cars and oddly a tobacco harvester. Then past the live music, discovering there was no budgie show due to the heat. Then the craft pavilion for cake decorating, jam, and patchwork. (the photo below is the winner of the children’s cake decorating.) It was much smaller display than I remember but I am starting think the shows are part of a by gone era.

I briefly flittered through the show bags and then checked out the cattle. All brushed and shiny, portable milking machine being used and people eating their tea with their cows.

I wandered through the side shows, running into J and her family. I had not seen young H, who had just been been born when I was last time I was here. He is now almost 2! C has grown and J’s husband, A was looking relaxed and has recently started a new business.
They left and I prowled around the rides.

As I was leaving I spoke to the Security guard and doorman from Lions. The Security guy, Matt was surprised I was not hanging around for the fireworks. I was concerned about the tripod, he said it was fine so I went back and got it. I then had a ball taking photos of fireworks and long exposures of the rides. What a hoot! I have put a couple up on flickr and there is a set on my gallery.
http://www.cjcurrie.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=23060
I picked up a merry pair of parents and headed home.
Had an interesting chat with CEB and then slept in till 10AM. Bliss.
I then spent a bit of time organising ebay and selling dad’s hand turned wooden pens. I am not convinced they will sell there and am planning to set up an etsy site for the family. Mainly going for the Australian angle so to be able to sell to middle America.
I posted some photos from the Japan trip and have put some up on flicker http://www.flickr.com/photos/cjsteele/sets/72157622805474032/

Today, I am trying to find a job but the motivation is lacking.

43/52 Three Steeles

Originally uploaded by LPM

I spent so much time doing the South African round up I forgot about the lovely wedding we went to last weekend. Anthony the trooper picked me up from the airport and we drove straight to Mold in Wales. Anthony drove all the way, four hours, as I slept. I was struck by the thought why airline’s seats are so bloody uncomfortable when car seats are much more comfortable and take longer before your bum goes numb.

We met with Ken at the hotel and nipped out for a nice pub meal. Before heading back to the hotel and getting changed. I was quite concerned my feet would not fit into my new shoes as they were quite swollen. The hotel was close to the venue although we did get a little lost getting there, well the satnav got us a little lost. We arrived in time to be ushered into the very elegant wedding room and we waited in bated breath for the bride. Joe looked nervous but excited.

Hannah arrived and all those words that are traditionally used to describe a bride applied to Hannah. Radiant, joyous, stunning, beautiful and astounding happy. The ceremony was short but lovely and full of love.

The whole day was very cool, the reception was very posh and the venue just stunning and the guests very interesting. It was a magical night, as Anthony said, it was a fairytale wedding.

The next morning Anthony and I went in search of breakfast. We headed into Chester and discover the glory of the Victorian era mock Tudor buildings. It was way cool! We also found a Steele street which of course is the reason for the photo.

This week and weekend have been very laid back. I really needed to recover from the mental couple of weeks I have had.

Week Forty Nine

Originally uploaded by LPM

The weekend was very relaxing but did have a bit of excitement. Friday night was at home late, after working till seven.
Saturday I headed out with Ela, armed with cameras to have a look at China Town in the grip of Chinese New Year celebration. We managed to get some great shots, including some Lion Dancing that was all about good luck. The Lions are feed cabbage for good luck. The reason they are fed cabbage is because the word is close to money treasure, according to our neighbour who had great delight in telling me the ins and outs of the tradition.

After getting tired of the crush of people, we headed towards Trafalgar Square and played with the lensbaby and watched the setting for the really big events on Sunday. We managed a 100 Stranger photo as well.

We then decided to toddle down to Westminster and check out the houses of Parliament. Whilst doing this, we ended up watching people protesting about the treatment of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. There was a very pleasant and informative policeman there explaining that he and his partner were wearing flame retardant uniform and gloves in case someone set themselves on fire. Quite scary stuff.
I am yet to post many photos of the protest, but I did do a self portrait whilst there. I really enjoyed it, the photo taking that is. I understand why Michael likes to get into the thick of things with his camera.
We finished up in Wagamas before heading home.
I managed a quick swim and then we got ready for Vagabonds. It was very crowded and there were lost of people we knew there. My knee was not happy after the swim but it is much better today, with no pain going up stairs. I am thankful for that, it has been really frustrating, it is the worst fall I have had in a long time.
I rang Fergus when I got home from Vagabonds, it was his first Day of school on Monday. I think it all went well.
Sunday, not much happened, I felt pretty flat and out of sorts, a lot of things piling up on me. Meh.
Only three more of these photos left, then I have managed a whole year of self portraits.

Week Forty Six

Originally uploaded by LPM

This weekend turned out quieter than I expected. Friday night we stayed in, just pottering. Saturday, we slept in and did a bit of tidying. Then we had a little bit of a magical mystery tour to purchase a dehumidifier. We have had it on in the house quite a bit and is seems to be doing the job, there is less water on the windows in the morning and Anthony seems to be breathing better, excellent.
We went to Alex and L’s housewarming in deepest darkest south London.. The house was very full with guests and there was a lot of booze floating about and many cocktails made. Anthony took his saffron Gin with him and the most astoundingly coloured martinis were made. Really yellow. I sat and did cross stitch and caught up with lots of people.
Unfortunately on the way out to the car I rolled my ankle and fell, on a man hole cover and now bear a diamond bruise on my right knee. The left has another graze. The right knee is still sore. This put me out of action for Sunday, I think driving back from Greenwich was a mistake but I had no other option. I iced it and sat around and played the Wii. Not that exciting to be honest but I am really enjoying Metroid Prime 3, which Anthony got for me for Christmas. This is what is going on in this weeks portrait.
Yesterday it was still very sore, so I did not got to work but read and in the afternoon did a little bit of washing. Also cooked something from odds and ends in the fridge.
This week there is not much planned.
We are finally sorting out this trip to Cape Town to see how the renovations which begin this week are going. It is quite exciting.
April is now full, as is Feb. May will be kept quiet I think.

Week Forty

Originally uploaded by LPM

A lazy weekend! I made a long list of things to do and did quite a few. One being to get a picture for Christmas Cards, cue sparklers, being outside and Anthony doing almost liturgical dance moves. The self portrait of week is using the sparklers, we have matching portraits this week as it was too much fun to do anything else. I have even found I can retouch things! The new version of Picassa has a simple retouch tool and I manage to remove the broom sick markers using it. Go me!
We thought about going out Saturday night but decided sitting at home and pottering was much more exciting.
Saturday, Anthony and I ventured into Camden with the idea of finishing the Christmas shopping. I have one more friend to do now, so very pleased with myself. The crowds were pretty thick but we knew what we wanted. Fun fact, the fellow selling t-shirts sold most of his Danger Mouse t-shirts to Australians. I also have a new pair of Doc’s my old ones had lost their bounce, and were starting to hurt my feet. I have worked out I get two years of solid wear out of my Doc’s and am on to about my fifth pair of black ones. It is my third new pair I have bought in the UK, they are eight ups, the first I have bought for a while and am currently breaking them in, they are soft leather so not the usual pain of breaking in 8 ups.
Sunday was slob at home day but also goodbye Bibbett day. Sarah has moved into her new place and settled in so it was time for her to get Bibbett. Anthony was very sad to see her go, as was I, I do really miss having a cat in the house. They do make a place feel less empty.
We have finally got out Christmas holiday day away sorted. We are going to Lake Bled in Slovenia for Anthony to go snowboarding and me to see the castle. We are looking forward to it. It is going to be a little expensive but we have not been to Europe together for ages!

This weekend was quite busy but strangely relaxing.
Ela and I flew out of London city Airport on Friday afternoon, I think I can now say I have flown out of all of London’s commercial airports.  We arrived to be meet by Graham who told us we were the first to arrive only to find Tal in the flat having stealthed in under the radar via an obliging house mate.
As I have already said, then we killed some brandy bottles with Katie and Snarl and got up bleary eyed in the morning.  It was very good see them and just talk, and talk.
Tal and I went out to shop early and only got slightly distracted by shiny things and finished the supplies we would need for the ensuing craziness.
Ela and I baked and cooked our arses off, we made cakes to cater for all and enough food feed thousands.
In the middle of all that Graeme and I quickly ducked out to visit Dot and call and the bean which is officially named Sam.  Dot looked pretty darn good for a new Mum.  Sam was snuffly but lovely and Call was doing Dad stuff whilst we were there.
Then it was back to the ravening hordes and Gin.  The people were feed, lots of drink was consumed, people talked and cake was eaten.  Then sleep!
Sunday was a slow start but I managed a bit of fabric shopping before we caught the plane home.  Another successful nodermeet.
I was stopped in security for a hip flask in my bag, the one that had been there though out my trip, since Whitby in fact.  The one that had been missed at London Airport!  I thought it was odd at the airport because I had forgotten to take out my toiletries and they did not pull me up then, was the x-ray man asleep?
Any way, it was a little exciting getting back with closures on the DRL and no signage letting us know where the replacement bus service was.
Home again to a rested Anthony who had pottered at home one his own for the weekend and seemed to be very relaxed for doing so.
Monday was slightly manic as I went to work, quite tired but relaxed from the trip away and the fact I had not bought too much washing home with me.
I had promised to go photograph a gig for Ed Flay, Flay and DeVille’s Circus of Marvels on Monday night.  Anthony and I ate at Satsuma which we have decided we won’t eat at any more as the veggie range is minimal now and we would rather eat proper Japanese for the Price they were charging for okay food.
Once I had feel for the light and was comfortable with it all I was ready to shoot my first time in RAW format.  I think I went okay, and there seems to be a number of good photos in them all.  I need to come up with a formally worded but simple photo policy for such things.  There were some very good acts but I was a little disappointed that many of the women, bar one belly dancer seemed to take off a lot of clothing.  I know burlesque is meant to be quite popular but this seemed a little excessive to me.  I would have like to see a female magician or comedian or something.
Today is my long day at work and I am a little tired from getting in bed at one this morning.
Tomorrow manual handling, with the bonus I don’t have to come into work as it is at Harrow and I have my time off in the afternoon.