The universe...

I have been fascinated by the stars ever since I can remember and when I get a few minutes spare, I check out the ABC Science website for news about our galaxy.  I have also have to admit that I really love the images and you will find the image below at the following link: http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2011/06/23/3251860.htm The story is about the possibility that underneath Saturn’s iceball moon’s frozen surface there maybe an ocean:)

I spent yesterday weeding, moving small pebbles to a garden pond and cleaning my car.  I have to complete the pebble moving and weeding today, but it occurred to me that I am not able to let go of the chores that I think need to be done and actually allow myself the time needed to write and paint.  I have several projects that are calling to me but to no avail.  I have promised myself that on the weekend I will make a start.  Although it is hard for me to leave the 'outside' outside, I have actually done a tiny amount of work on the poetry collection. I wonder if it is possible for me to try to make it a number one chore and see if that works:):)  Does anyone have any advice on this issue:):)



Creative and Literary type Blogs...

Hi there

Now that I have nearly finished my studies I have a little spare time to look around the blogosphere for creative and literary type blogs.  I spent a few minutes yesterday and I found that there are many blogs that I am interested in following.  The next few weeks should be fun as I fly the blogspace and check things out:):)

I have posted a couple of more photos from Sunday's walk for you below:):)

Putting a poetry collection together...

I made a start yesterday on selecting poems and photographs or illustrations to go in my poetry collection book.  It is fun I have to tell you but, and is there always a but, making a choice between poems is hard. Should it be this one, or would that suit...so I am using this question as a guideline to say, 'well if you don't know, then it is not the right one'.  It is very hard making a judgement call on your own work isn't it. 

I have added a couple of more photos from Sunday's walk, so let me know what you think:):)

Taking on the big end of town...

Well it looks like the Federal Government is going to take on the big end of town...aka...the tobacco industry in this instance. I actually support the move towards brown paper packaging for cigarettes...but not for the sake of would be smokers alone, but because it is time to put international business cartels on notice that there are at least some governments who won't be bought off.  The issue of smoking is an emotive one...and at the end of the day whose choice should it be and whose right is it to make the decision about whether to smoke or not to smoke...or have we moved beyond asking those questions?


We actually went on a small bush/beachwalk yesterday in a new walking area for us and we managed to take some good photos of the pelicans, seagulls, clouds, the ocean, and a small wetland area.  I will post a few of these photos over the next few days:):) Another great thing to come out of yesterday's little sojourn apart from the wonderfulness of the places we visited is that a couple of photos will be good enough we think for our 2012 calendar:):)

Cave of Forgotten Dreams

There is always something interesting going on the art world. For example, the documentary, link below, (discussed on the Overland Blog) which can be seen at the Sydney Film Festival sounds like a 'must see' if you are interested in art. I hope it becomes available on dvd for those who can't get to a screening.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Dir: Werner Herzog http://web.overland.org.au/2011/06/at-the-sydney-film-festival-cave-of-forgotten-dreams/
★★★★
In 1994 three French speleologists discovered a cave hidden behind an old rockslide in southern France. Inside they found a particularly beautiful cave with rock paintings eventually dated to 32 000 years before the present. They are the oldest known cave paintings, preserved so well because of the rockslide protecting what was once an open cave from the elements, animals and humans. It is called Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc Cave after one of its discoverers, Jean-Marie Chauvet, and a natural rock arch nearby.


We are making progress on our eaves and have now put up the fibro sheets on three sides of the house.  The last side will be completed next week and then all that remains is for me to do the final coat of paint...yeah:).

The days are lovely at the moment and on Sunday we are planning on a bushwalk so I am hoping to have some interesting photos to show you next week:)

We're back:):)

Actually we didn't go away - just had lots of chores to do over the weekend which we fitted in nicely with Sunday lunch with some friends:):)

I find it interesting (still) that we as the people, listen and watch some of the most powerful lobby groups such as tobacco, mining industry etc. try and push their point of view (pov).  Now everyone is entitled to their pov but let's face it, when are we the people going to wise up and set-up our own powerful lobby group - just to even up the debate - dont' ya think it would be a good idea!

We are planning a bushwalk for Sunday (weather dependant) but I am looking forward now to seriously working on our next calendar.

mmm...what to do first...

Now that I don't have to spend 24/7 in the study I find myself wondering around not doing anything at all. Not quite the reaction I expected. I thought that once I had finished for the semester I would be excited and raring to go. And, in a way I am, but I have so much I want to do I don't know where to start (sigh). 

Meeting friends for lunch was lovely yesterday and as we have all been studying hard, I was pleased to find that I am not alone in feeling a little lost - everyone feels the same.  I guess we have been cloistered in a particular environment for awhile and now need to acclimatise to the rest of the world.  So I will take a deep breath and just enjoy the view for a short time:):)

The semester if finished and the exam is over:)

And the world continues:):) although in my part of the world life is very good and I now have time to think about what I want to do.  Today, very selfishly maybe, I am meeting a good freind for lunch...it will be great to catch-up with friends again and actually have time to ask them how they are.

The thing I have kept an eye on of course is the ongoing debate about the carbon tax and I must admit I found it interesting to note that while we in Australia are going round in circles debating whether or not we should tax polluting industries, mother nature is quietly and effectively doing her own thing. With the eruption of a volcano in Chile bringing air traffic to a halt half way round the world I can't understand how our politicians and heavily financed lobby groups think they are in control...

Nature is wonderful:) and I am looking forward to taking lots more photographs...

Lots of different chores and studying for the exam

Hi there

Time moves very quickly I have found when you have lots to do. I needed to have a tidy-up and finally found the courage to say goodbye to a few bits and pieces that I have had around for a long time. Now these little artefacts of my life hold many memories, mostly happy, but a few sad too.  For some reason I have been feeling the need to free myself up for the future. It is going to be a great period ahead - I can feel it.  I am also going to take a few pieces of old furniture that we have lining the walls of the garage to the tip as well. Space = freedom for me and we simply don't need the amount of 'stuff' that we have.

And the exam is on Thursday - so no more procrastinating - when this post is finished I will have to study hard:):)

Fukoshima...the continuing saga...

The continuing saga of Fukoshima - Call it my scepticism about the media - if it is in the media it must be right, right -  well we know that it depends on who controls the media doesnt it? So what you say...well I note that in reference to Fukoshima that the Japanese Government is at last releasing information about what may really have happened in the disaster. It is not a matter of playing the blame game, but unless there is a flow through of information we will be unable to deal with any impacts from nuclear accidents like this one.  It is all about helping those who have been or may be affected. If the topic is of interest, then check out the ABC website - story and link is below for you:)

Japan raises spectre of Fukushima 'melt-through'

By North Asia correspondent Mark Willacy

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/08/3238720.htm?section=justin

By North Asia correspondent Mark Willacy

Melt-through fears: Authorities have suggested the situation may have gone beyond a meltdown. (AFP/Jiji Press)For the first time, Japanese authorities have suggested the situation at the Fukushima nuclear plant may have gone beyond a meltdown.

Today it is pouring rain so no more weeding until later perhaps.  Got lots done yesterday though and last night actually sat down and read a book for pleasure for the first time in ages:):)  I am posting the photos below as I just love the colours of nature and wanted to share it with you:):)

The Live Export Trade...is the Government finally listening to the people?

Is the Government listening to the people...it seems like it is, but I really wonder. The 4 Corners story last week about the Indonesian abbattoirs was truly awful and I was glad to learn this morning that the live export of cattle to Indonesia has been suspended for now. The interesting question is what is the Indonesian Government thinking about the issue. There is a problem when people only focus on the economics involved like the Brisbane man interviewed by the ABC this morning who wasnt a bit concerned about the cattle and how they are treated but the dollars that would be lost. I would think though that most people in Australia would rather their tax dollars went to supporting farmers as they look for new ways of doing business and new markets with more humane track records than pouring billions of dollars into Defence for the purchase of 12 submarines. Which by the way, no one has really adequately explained due to security classifications.

Anyway, moving right along, today we are working in the garden. Lots of weeding to catch-up on before I head off to Canberra next week after my exams. 

Thought I would put up some more pictures of a not too long ago holiday in England where we found that there are still some very English scenes of bluebell filled wooded areas and fields of ripening wheat:):)

Have a good one:):)

Wouldnt it be great if Australia led the way....

Wouldnt it be great if Australia could boost the momentum started at the weekend and take real action against climate change. Move over BAU lobby groups - every dog has his day:):) As usual there is a great Story on the ABC Drum blog about Australia’s continuing lag factor in dealing with climate change. 

Leading from way behind

By Mungo McCallum

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2748190.html

But in one respect at least its citizens are completely rational: they have no doubts about the reality of climate change. After all, they can see the ice melting before their very eyes. Glaciers which once flowed freely to the sea are now stranded hundreds of metres from the shore, and are receding further every year.

I have to go to uni today to hand in the last assignment for the semester and that just leaves an exam next week - then look out world...well I have to find something to do with my time:)::)

have a great day:):)

At last - people power on global warming action:) finally submitting that glitchy assignment

At last people are taking to the streets and telling the Government what they want - and what do they want - action on global warming...no more talk...action please. The story was on the ABC website and the link is below:)

Thousands of people have gathered at locations around the nation to rally in support of the Federal Government's plan to put a price on carbon pollution.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/05/3235955.htm

Finally got that glitchy assignment sorted out and submitted to the tutor yesterday - yeah:):) one down, another assignment will be submitted tomorrow...then we are on holidays for awhile...just a short while though before the next semester starts:):)

Also, got to the beach yesterday afternoon - took a few photos - hope you like them...

We are ironing out the glitches:)

I hope. I have just sent the draft report for everyone to read before forwarding it to uni:):) let's keep our fingers crossed.

I managed to get out early yesterday am and take some photos of stormy clouds at sunrise - hope you like them...

Technical hitches...and It is a grey day today:)

We thought we had almost finished our group project only to find late last night that we had a few technical hitches preventing us from finalising and saving our report document as a PDF (sigh).  Hopefully today, we will have worked it out and been able to upload the final assignment:):)

As I sit in the study and look out of the window the scene outside is overcast and heavily grey...it wants to rain but just hasnt quite decided to yet...I have heaps of housework now to catch-up on which of course, includes the washing. But you know, maybe after we get home from grocery shopping, (project permitting) I will just light the fire and get the camera out. You can always get some interesting shots when there are lots of clouds around.

Have a great day:):)

Peace, last week at uni before the holidays:):)

My woes are small when I consider the plight of the people in Syria and the news yesterday about a young boy whose death has become symbolic of the protest movement...such an awful waste...I just wish there was some way peace could be made possible.

Putting the finishing touches on my major assignments is an exciting and yet harrowing experience. Exciting because it means I will have time soon to catch-up on all of the things I want to do, and harrowing because of the pressure I put on myself. I want to do as best as I can and that creates pressure. BUT, not for long now and then we can look around and enjoy the world. Even get back into the kitchen:):)

Back to work now - just a few more sentences to write and then the edit and re-edit process begins:):)

cya

Environment, upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and study

A really interesting story on the upcoming CHOGM meeting taken from the ABS Website - the link is below for you to have a look at if you want to:)


Carbon tax shapes as key issue at CHOGM

By Business editor Peter Ryan http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/01/3232530.htm?section=justin

The debate over a tax on carbon emissions and climate change will be key agenda items at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Perth in October. Commonwealth nations will be under pressure to reach an in-principle agreement on a carbon tax, but the pace of its introduction and compensation to heavy emitters are likely to get bogged down in the fine print.



Time has passed so quickly and now this is almost the end of the first semester for me. I have the finishing touches to put to a creative writing project I am working on at the moment and then an exam to study for and then finito:):) so in the next few weeks there will be lots more photos and poems....

This is one of the photos that my husband took when we were on holiday in Tasmania early this year...I just love the colours:)

And I just love this little one:):)

It will be lovely to fly soon:):) figurately speaking...