I didn't plan it, but I visited three libraries when I was out and about in the city today.
First I returned three books to the City Library (still going on one). Then I joined the historic Athenaeum Library where I borrowed a book* and enjoyed the dark wood surrounds and squeaky floorboards. It feels a bit like visiting your Nanna's place - there's tea, coffee and hot chocolate and lots of old things. They also keep a pet album with photos of members' pets!
And then I took a leisurely stroll around the awesome State Library of Victoria and admired once again the fabulosity of the domed La Trobe Reading Room (above). It's impossible to capture its fabulosity in a photo - it's such a huge edifice with so many beautiful features - the shelves of ancient books lining the balconies, the spoke lay-out of the old timber desks (below) with their little green lamps and the ceiling itself, which lets in so much natural light that artificial lighting isn't necessary in the day time. If you ever visit Melbourne, you cannot leave without seeing it.
Today I discovered the State Library also has an impressive, timber-floored gallery of old paintings of Melbourne, the state of Victoria and historically significant figures and events.
Jungle Drum
I have a new favourite song. Emiliana Torrini's Jungle Drum. It's so jaunty (and vastly different to the stuff from her previous album). I have been listening to it pretty much all day...on repeat. Obsessive much?
I'm nearly finished the 101 Things list, by the way. I'm up to 95. I will post it here soon.
* Fittingly, So Many Books, So Little Time: A year of passionate reading by Sara Nelson!
4 comments:
cool tune, very upbeat...would be great for the gym! :)
(also made me think of your *boompity-boomp* words hee hee)
Hi Victoria. Yeah, now you mention it, Jungle Drum would be great for the gym. I'll have to get off my butt and put it to the test. And the song is very boompity-boompity, isn't it?
Sounds like you had a very enjoyable day, hope you get to have as much fun with the remainder of your holiday.You sometimes hear people say "you know I have lived here for X years and never seen/done that" it can be a little wake up call to pack as much experiences into the time you have in a place.....you never know when it may be time to move on and away.
Hello Abbeysmum. Yes, for the past 12 months I have been making more of an effort to get to know my town better. Not that I have plans to leave... I'm amazed at how many things I never noticed before when I was focused on getting from home to work and back again, or running errands on my lunch break or shopping.
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