I'm Much Obliged For Such a Pleasant Stay

Been awhile...

Thought I would give the blog a bit of a rest from the photos while I tried to figure out what to do with it. I don't think I am coherent or succinct enough to have it as a rambling kind of blog where I talk about my day to day life, which was the original plan. The List part of the blog will still continue and this will hopefully get me to knock more of it. I did do some List stuff throughout the photo project I just did not give an in depth analysis. Maybe people want to read an about how eating a sweet from some random bakery made me feel.

I am also trying to get cracking on the other 2010 New Years Resolution which was to travel to all towns/suburbs in NSW beginning with the letter A. So far I have done 19 out of 122 places. So trot on over to Adventures with the Silver Bullet and, hopefully, find out something interesting about NSW.

- A

For Those About To Rock...

New car! Old 'mascot' re-installed. Was over looking. Garry could look no more and I wanted it by Christmas. Good little car, am happy. I put my little Mouse on a thimble with the diamond ring thing back in its place. I can not remember what show/book/movie this character is from. P gave it to me years ago when she was chucking crap out of her room. It is from The Rescuers. I used to really like it but found it odd that the evil lady would wear a skimpy ball gown style dress to drive about her swamp lake after some rodents and a girl... the dress was odd to me.

Mousy guy - 22/12

Drinks for Garry's birthday North Side. Ended up leaving the car at home and needing to catch public transport home. I always think of travel time as though I was driving. Bit of a stopover at Town Hall was had. There is less Christmas stuff lately but the actual Town Hall was all lit up like they did for Macquarie Visions back in May last year.

Christmas Lights - 23/12

 Put the new car (yet to be named) to the test on the road South. It only has four gears... I still managed to try and find the fifth a few times. I had not been to Ma's in months... August maybe... Hadn't been sleeping well. Averaging about three hours a night. Prit-ty keen for a snooze I was. And family time, of course.  

MY Christmas bauble thingo - 24/12

Little Bro use to call me Weba. No idea why. As soon as he could speak he would call me that. Up until a few years ago when he stopped and now he changes it up between Aly Paly and Aly. This all happened around three Christmas' ago when Little Bro and Niece were putting the tree up and Niece gave Little Bro My Christmas Bauble and Little Bro said "I'm going to put Weba's here". Niece said "Her name is not Weba you have to call her Alison or Aly". And he has since. Kinda weird that it took putting on Christmas Baubles for him to change my name.
 
Main 'family time' was Little Bro getting Guitar Hero for Christmas. We played most of the time I was there. He plays real Guitar and thought he would nail it on GH. In the end he suck to singing (beginner) to get through The Quest!. I was getting quite good at it after playing it for nearly three days straight. 

 Little Bro is a Guitar Hero - 25/12

Boxing Day... nothing. Lazed around. Ate. Drank. Ma wanted to go to some sales. I trekked along. She got a fancy pants glass kettle. You can now see the water boil!

Ooooo - 26/12

Ma got one of those thing that can scan a photo and then it goes on your SD card. She got this because last year she got a digital photo frame that wasn't used as the photos she wants to display have no negs and were taken on film camera (pickle). I scanned most of the photos in this album.

Will tell a story at a later date about album Baby Alison.

All quality - 27/12

Final day away then back to reality. This is the longest 'holiday' I have had. We went to the Chinese Rest at the Bowling Club where the service is honest. I wonder if at one point the Fruit Salad was fresh.

Mmmmm Fresh - 28/12

- A

It's a Hard Knock Life

Been walking a bit. Someone in my suburb is a bit of a fan Ferris. Mixing it up from Save Ferris to the rarely used spelling of 'ROOLS'. Usually it is rulz or rules.  

 

 Ferris Fan - 13/12

Lazy about. Watching a bit of TV. Saw a doco on Hunter S. Thompson. I only knew of him as a writer but the doco showed some pretty cool photos that he had taken. Here is my badly done homage to one photo. It has already been commented on that it looks quite like a myspace photo... at least it is not in a bathroom.

Portrait - 14/12

Have been borrowing P's car to jet about town in. Gave it a bit of a wash and clean. Made the withdrawals of the Silver Bullet a little easier.

RAS - 15/12

The car search.... painful. Did not think it would be that difficult. Many people like to 'do up' and change the cars I am after. I honestly just want a car that goes. I don't want a car with TV/DVD or reversing cameras. There are 22 cars on this list. Most of them were struck off when Garry looked at the details. 

random factoids - 16/12

Possibly hurt myself more than I had actually realised in  the accident. Ma back, which has always had probs, is killin'. Getting this mad pain coming from my ankle up my back. Can't really do anything the same for long periods. Makes for going to a gig that much more awesome! Even better when it is at a location like Mona Vale Hotel where the band stage is lower than normal. This was my view pretty much the whole time. Philly Jays were on and I have seen them before but this time they went and hung about in the crowd.

 The band is the tiny head facing the camera.... - 17/12

Annie Leibovitz. I read a piece on her life, photographic work and past financial issues all of which made me enthused to see the show on her work at MCA. A stop over at Guylian Cafe in The Rocks was called for. Didn't stay on. After having a menu put in front of my with a grunted 'dis is for you' I realised that I didn't have enough cash and the have a high (for me) minimum EFTPOS amount. I had one of those small chocs. 

Annie - 18/12

Ahhh, Christmas! I stress so much about it. What if what I think would be great for them or they will love it but they actually feel completely the opposite. Gift anxiety. Then there is what I usually want to do which is buy hilarious gifts thinking hoping others gets the joke. Saw these hats and thought either would be awesome for Little Bro. He is 8. I thick it would be hilarious for him to own one, wouldn't want him wearing it though.

Thug Life - 19/12

Garry has been shuttling me about Sydney looking at cars, talking about cars and searching for cars. Not doing much else beside the endless pursuit of Silver Bullet Mach Deus.

Roomy - 20/12

Got my highly important and prized possessions from the Silver Bullet. I cleaned the car out two days before the accident. This is the stuff that I thought important, necessary, to keep in it. A garbage bag full of stuff. Half of it is green bags! I never buy more than two bags of groceries anyway. Then there is the possible breakdown supply kit. A blanket, pillow, pack of cards, soft volley ball, Frisbee (both from bar promos) and a spare pair of thongs. Ya never know. 

Awful photo - 21/12

That photo looks truly awful. Can't believe I didn't check it before ripping the bag open. Looks like there should be body parts in there or something. 

- A

silver linings...

RoseArt - 07/12

For the purpose of just getting this blog up to date you won't get any of the hilarious commentary. Just appreciate the awesome photography.

Plant - 08/12

Jebediah - 09/12

Snacks - 10/11

;  ^  (    - 11/12

This above photo is the reason I have not updated anything in awhile. Dealing with insurance and trying to get another car took its toll on me for a bit.

Airds - 12/12

Did however manage to borrow a car to get some A-Towns done as planned.  

- A

When a Good Time Turns Around

Even though I am on my computer everyday I still find it much easier to only update the blog every few days. It also means that the less impressive photos go into a post with the nicer more thought out ones. Creates a better balance. All completely intentional and not at all to do with my increased laziness.

The Steve Irwin ride at Broadway has been replaced. *sad face* Never rode the old one and I have no intention of taking a whirl on this one. Find it slightly odd that they would replace a ride for kids with a character that most kids would not know. Wasn't Pink Panther a thief??? I am currently on the net but still too lazy to check that 'fact'. 

 A large cat on a van - 16/11

Uni sucks. Period. Late night meandering around the campus. Library is conveniently located near the bar. So close that you can hear the uproarious good time mixed with awkward flirting.

 Getting all artistic - 17/11

The Netball team I filled in for last season won the grand final. I am now a full paying member and got a commemorative mug for being in the winning team. Alas, it was a tad windy and my mug was used a weight for the scoreboard and got a 'minor chip'. Note the bloody finger from when I thrust my hand in there to check on its condition.

 Meow - 18/11

The Silver Bullet has reached a momentous occasion! Clocked over 140 000Kms! Shoddily taken on my camera phone whilst at the lights. I have had this car for 7 years. It has helped me move to 9 houses. It may be on the way. It has a bag of coins in the right left wheel, sounds like a dishwasher, and a Duck living in the clutch. I will be sad when I have to say farewell...

Oh, happy 'birthday' - 19/11

My first Roller Derby bout. Sydney's Pistola Cholas took victory of Newcastle's Dockyard Dames. This was the last Sydney bout for the season and I wish I had seen more. 

Pistola Chola Winnie Bruise looking for a break in the pack - 20/11

I am a big fan of the break when writing any sort of uni assignment, resets my thoughts and stops the rambles. It has to be some sort of productive break through. I made ANZAC biscuits. Little bit thick though and somewhat hard/crisp. 

Biscuits - 21/11

And that was the week that was!

Around The Traps

Have been busy and therefore quite slack on putting anything on here. Also, didn't feel like it cause I have not done anything interesting. 

 Happy fruit - 08/11

At uni a lot now. Doing assignment. I work heaps better in the dead of night under the fluorescent lighting in the library. See I do check the blog even if I don't update. Moderating all those comments. 

 Double time on those essays - 09/11

Still at Uni. I do go home for sleep. I get there late. It's like power study. Not in focus as it was 1:30am and I was on my way out and TIRED.

 Uni courtyard - 10/11

Sometimes... there truly is nothing to photograph. This is the house recycling. It looked a lot better in my mind. All shiny. Not so much in photographic from I guess.

 

Drink? - 11/11

 The Silver Bullet is soooo power that just by merely tapping the gutter I can blow a tyre. Awesome skills.

 It had to be a 28 degree day too - 12/11

My first beach day of the year! Finished work at 1:30pm. Decided Freshwater would be best option. Walked down and noticed it looked a bit choppy but thought I'd wing it. Not exactly the best swimmer and do have a bit of a fear of the ocean. I got thrashed. In for a total of 15 mins. Think I managed to stand upright for about 2. Massive drag, went in at the flags and ended up further down the beach. Talked to Flatmate D after and he said Manly was closed for swimmers that day and told me some more Aly friendly beaches for next time.

Sticking close to the guards - 13/11

P and I are trying to do regular runs of a Monday arvo. Again that didn't happen because of rain.

sad flowers - 14/11

Again with the rain. Seriously. I have heard rumours that this crap weather will continue throughout Summer. Kinda glad that I managed a swim the other day then.

Weird flower hybrid - 15/11

One more week and Uni will be gone. Done. Maybe I'll have a ceremonial burning of my two least fav subject textbooks.

- A

On the Road Again...

Massive week. Many a kilometre driven.

Went to Bathurst on Thursday afternoon to start the another 'A-Town' block with P. Doesn't seem to matter how early you try to get out of Sydney Parra Rd will always try and hold you up.

Parramatta Road - 08/07

Up early on Sun to drive about the Central West. This photo taken from the passenger seat of the Silver Bullet, whilst P was driving, outside of Cudal.

Tried to get some livestock in there... - 09/07

Went and saw my Nan T and helped her out with her computer and other things. In return I got some old cord piping, patterns, fabric and a gigantic bag of needles to sort through!! These were My Little Nana's and Nan has added to it a bit... I was after 6mm needles.

Needles - 10/07

Drive back after epic weekend of doing seven A-Towns for a total of 945Km.

The Beast - 11/07

Another fuckin dinner post! This time I actually made something. Well, I actually made the honey soy sauce and added Tempeh to the usual dinner I make. I also made a batch of Lemon Butter. That is a little hard to photograph though, just looks like a yellow jar really.

May need some lessons on plating up - 12/07

I will be starting up another blog soon just for the A-Town travel thing. I thought it would be too much all on the same one. Stuck on a name... have only had six months to think of a name. Will probably be something highly creative like 'A-Towns'!

- A

In other news my camera has decided to really prove the point that I repel technology by allowing me to take 20 photos and not returning from 'view' so I have to turn it off each time only to not even save the photos to the card.

You could stretch right up and touch the sky

I can understand how some may find sunsets/sunrises boring, it is after all just an everyday occurence. I find it... invigorating. May be a little extreme. I find that it gives me clarity and peace to watch the sunset. It happens everyday. I guess it makes me feel that all is good and right and no matter what is happening there will always be this constant event. I feel the same about clouds. 

There is no real current crisis that makes me what to got to get my fill of weather. Just been hectic and run down. I have read a few places that Curl Curl looks great at sunset. Arriving there, knowing it was a beach in Sydney, forgetting that it is at the base of a hill. Saw this rocky head jutting out inbetween Dee Why and Curl Curl and pushed the Silver Bullet onwards to an adventure.

   

Curl Curl beach with City in the back - 26/04

Got there just before the setting sun. It was a nice place to watch it and I would like to go back just for a wander about.

I main place I would like to watch sunset would be from Gladesville Bridge. I drive that way home from Uni sometimes and you can see all the way to Harbour Bridge, beautiful view.  

On the way back I saw this sign. Gigantic stick figure will jump about on mountains and knock the top off. This sign should be posted on the way in so people know there are falling rocks. Or people doing star jumps.

Happy person on a mountain

- A

I've been slack...

Whoops, been a little busy neglectful.

Paste-up in Newtown - 24/03

Went to Soppho Books in Glebe to talk to my fellow 'Intimate Sphere ' course presenter for an assignment. I ordered a coffee (best I've had in ages) and... awwww.

How appropriate - 25/03

Speech done, and I'm outta here. On way to Narrandera which would be my base whilst taking in the festivities at Ardlethan Races. Drive was great. Loaded my iPod with 'Stuff You Should Know' podcasts. Also did the usual taking photos whilst driving. I don't get why my camera can take good photos while I'm driving 100Kph down the freeway, but gets a little blurry when I take a photo of someone kicking a ball???

Hume Highway, maybe near Gundagai - 26/03

And the big day came. My first 'A-Town'. Didn't take as many good photos as I had originally wished. Looking at the collection it would seem I was on my own, didn't take any photos really of the people I was with. Had a great day, didn't bet on anything. Checked out the fashion which was a mixed collection.

The only race I watched all of  - 27/03

After an epic day and night on Saturday my original plan to go to Adelong was put off till a later date. Had a lazy day on Sunday. Went and saw the Hankinson Memorial Fountain in Narrandera. It was made by Royal Doultan and given as a gift to the community as a memorial of those who dies in WW1. There is the same fountain in Karachi Pakistan 

Top part of fountain - 28/03

Got back late on Sunday. Went to my cousins and finally took in Avatar at the picture theatre. Quite a good movie. Managed to keep my 3D glasses this time.

Lookin kewl - 29/03

Many missed opportunities to take photos and many that turned out blurry means that I won't really be going on any adventures to take photos any time soon, pointless. Lost many photos because of slow shutter speed and resolution. My camera still takes great still images, if the subject moves all comes undone.

- A