Busy, bonus, UK bound

Thursday was Bring a Giant 

Vegetable to Work day 

I've had a very busy week at work. I thought I would be stuck at work quite late finishing my bills, but I was out just before 6.00pm.  It's nice for the end of the financial year to fall on a Friday. 

I got a small pay increase and a bonus this week. Not as big an increase as I'd hoped for, but a few people at work have been made redundant, so I'm lucky. I know that I'm needed (even without the pay rise). My bosses emphasised the size of the increase didn't reflect their appreciation for my efforts, which I think explains the unexpected bonus. I'm going to put it towards upgrading my camera and a new pair of sneakers in time for my trip to the UK with Luke in August.  

I haven't mentioned much about the trip, have I?  We leave on 16 August and return in early September. Luke's daughter lives on the Isle of Wight and he visits her every August with his parents and this year I'm tagging along. Apart from London, we'll also be visiting other bits of England (the itinerary is a work in progress) and Paris. I've never been before. I'm researching cemeteries, libraries and trees to visit! Suggestions welcome. 

It's the white-faced heron again. When I first stopped to take this photo, it was actually looking at me. Normally it's focused on catching its breakfast when I see it. I expected it to take flight, but it only turned away. Maybe it's starting to get used to me? Or it's a different, less skittish, heron.

Friday night replay

This evening was a carbon copy of last Friday night for Luke and me: a balmy evening stroll through the backstreets of Richmond for a burger and gelati on Bridge Road. 

This time we walked there along Rowena Parade and The Vaucluse to have a look at the grand old houses in daylight. Before we turned the corner into Rowena Parade, we stopped to look at the strange new gate on the old building on the corner of Lennox Street. And then I noticed what I had never seen on the dozens and dozens of times I've passed by previously: very faint old signs. 

 General house repairs

There's a sign between the upper and lower windows, but

 all I can make  out is "& Sons Carpenters"

I'm usually too busy admiring the building's peeling shutters. 

Moving right along... there are some beautiful old houses at the top of The Vaucluse, which is possibly the most elevated spot in Richmond. All the better to look down on the heaving mass of working class people  around you, way back when. 

 Shady garden path 

 This is probably the grandest house. It's 

for sale if you  have a few million dollars

 spare to splash around

A window of St Ignatius 

A less grand home a few blocks away  on the 
corner of Mary Street

Lady Santa 

The evening's best sign find: 

Sack merchants! 

The building is now a dwelling 

Help me! 

We had burgers at Grill'd and then gelati at Fritz. I had blood orange as usual - it was a super zesty batch - and I also had a scoop of caramelized fig and roasted almond. It was as tasty as it sounds.  That reminds me, fig season is pretty much upon us! Yay. 

We walked back along Bridge Road then through the narrow streets between Church Street and Punt Road.  If we keep this up, we'll have traversed every street in Richmond before too long. Like last Friday, it was a very pleasant evening for a stroll - it was warm  and the scent of flowers and garden sprinklers were in the air. The smell of garden sprinklers reminds me of being a kid. 

As we headed along Goodwood Street towards Punt Road, I commented on a stern looking building and Luke (who obviously has better eyesight than I do) spotted a bunch of very faint old signs on the front. It was too dim for a photo by then though, so I'll go back again. 

 Pretty flower 

Bird on a wire

   

Giant fairy floss, pink sunglasses, skater man

Ghost window

This morning as I walked through Federation Square, I saw two men carrying what a looked like giant tub of pink fairy floss. They deposited it near the steps facing Flinders Street Station. I have no idea what occasion called for a giant tub of fairy floss. 

Coming home tonight I saw two women practising juggling, which reminded me I had a dream last night that I was trying - and failing - to juggle. This is vexing, because I actually can juggle...or at least I could. I haven't done it in ages. I might have a go on the weekend to see if I still can. 

On the weekend I saw a man towing a little trailer behind his bike. The trailer contained a small black dog, which was wearing hot pink cat's eye sunglasses. 

***

There was a story on The Age online today about the unconventional commuting habits of businessmen. One man, a solicitor up north in Rockhampton, rides a skateboard to his office

"I'm usually wearing my ridiculously large headphones and listening to AC/DC screeching out Shoot to Thrill, ” he said. 

I forgot to mention he's 45. I think that's fantastic. 

***

I ran/walked around the Tan again tonight. Go, me. 

I started reading my book about octopuses on the weekend. It's fascinating.  

RECOGNISED!

Something happened to me tonight that could just be the most gleeful thing that's ever happened in the history of glee. OK, maybe that's overstating it somewhat, but it was thrilling. 

Henry Wagons launched his debut solo album this evening at Polyester Records in the city. I went straight from work to make sure I had a good spot. When I arrived, Henry was at the microphone doing a soundcheck. My heart skipped a beat. But then I got all shy and didn't go in. I loitered outside and finished eating my cupcake. 

When I did go in a few minutes later, Henry had gone. I bought a copy of the album, Expecting Company?, then moodled about looking at books and CDs until Luke arrived.

Henry and his new band The Unwelcome Company (a few Wagons guys and two women from the vocal group The Nymphs) played about four songs from the new album, with Henry's usual banter in between. I liked  all the songs. 

Afterwards I headed straight to up the back to have Henry sign my copy of the CD. I waited impatiently as he chatted to the guy ahead of me, then it was my turn. 

We exchanged greetings, I handed over my copy of the CD and he scrawled his name on it. And then he said, "I recognise you." Me (full of charm and wit): "Really?" And then I kinda forget the rest of the conversation because HENRY WAGONS RECOGNISED ME!!!! I kid you not. I actually went a little bit trembly with excitement. My (relatively) long-term musical crush recognised me! 

I have spoken to him on a couple of other occasions (not recently), but he probably saw me at that event a few weeks back at Hamer Hall. There was no harsh stage lighting, I was sitting right in front of him and I do have blue boy hair. 

Would it be too tweenage if I had the signed CD cover framed? 

I've purchased tickets to see Henry and The Unwelcome Company at the lovely Thornbury Theatre in November. 

 Before

After the launch, Luke and I headed to the National Mutual building for the fireworks to celebrate the reinstatement of the lights on the building's tower. 

We waited in the cold with a smallish crowd on the corner diagonally opposite for ages and then eventually there was a ka-boom. There was a collective "Oooooh" from the crowd and probably a collective "HOLY SHIT!" from unsuspecting passers-by. 

It was a fairly modest fireworks display, but the guy spent a squillion on buying and renovating the building; you couldn't really expect a pyrotechnics show to rival New Year's Eve celebrations. 

As the last sparks of the fireworks faded, the lights in the tower were turned on.

After

There was a busker dressed in a rabbit suit playing bass guitar over the road while we waited for the fireworks to start. I can't be sure, but I think he might be the same guy who busks in the city while wearing a dog costume. Funky Bunny (as he calls himself - he has a Facebook page) was pretty good too. His big ears waved up and down as he played. While we were taking photos of him, two guys dressed as pirates stopped to watch. The things you see in a big city... 

We went to a cheap Japanese restaurant on Swanston Street for dinner. Luke had a stubby of Sapporo beer with his meal. We were amused by the blurb on the label. 

The photo's a little blurry. It says, "Discover the perfectly balanced taste that's irresistible to all, as you share rich moments with this masterpiece of the brewer's art." I don't think Luke shared any rich moments, but he did enjoy it. 

Test run, yum, mum

Cute, no?

I took my little sewing machine for a test run today. I was pleased I actually remembered how to thread the cotton and the other basic stuff, so I'm not an absolute beginner. I started off sewing a few lines of straight stitch and zig zag on scrap material, then moved on to the project that prompted me to buy the machine: a corsety-belt using some wide, black trim I found at Clegs fabric store. It's decorated with horizontal rows of fake leather, satin ribbon and fancy stitching. I sewed the raw ends with the machine, then hand-sewed a row of D-rings on each end so the belt can be laced up with ribbon.  I didn't have enough D-rings to complete the belt, so I'll show you when it's done.

I cooked corned beef for dinner tonight. Yum. And there's leftovers for tomorrow night. I cooked dumplings again too. I froze half of the last batch of dough I made last week and tonight I thawed it and cooked them in the pot with the corned beef. 

I had a very domesticated day today. As well as the sewing and cooking, I cleaned, did the grocery shopping and even some ironing (which I do maybe three times a year). It was a good day to stay in.

I called my mum for Mother's Day tonight and had a long chat.  

I took this partial rainbow photo from my 

office during the week

 Brightly decorated cars are the traditional way

 of celebrating Buddha's birthday. 

Spotted on Collins Street yesterday

What remains of the Bill & Ted-inspired sign

 I mentioned last Sunday

Be excellent to each other

I walked up to Swan Street this morning and just happened to look left at the right time to see this whimsical gem hidden in a very narrow walkway:

And a little further on I saw another one, although it had come partially adrift and was hanging face down. 

How can you not believe in mankind when people do things like this for no reason?

But wait! There's more! On my way up the street I saw a sign inspired by Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure stuck to a pole near Richmond Station. There was a silhouette of Bill and Ted under one of the quotable quotes from the movie, "Be excellent to each other".  Someone else had written in blue pen, "Yes, I agree!".  I meant to take a photo of it on my way back, but I forgot. 

The things you see...

Ducklings! Victoria Gardens

A grassy car! Don't ask; I have no idea. 

Take a minute to smile

Someone went a bit mad with the chalk on the footpath through Gosch's Paddock today. 

I forgot to post this photo on Saturday - as Luke and I strolled along Swan St, Richmond after we got back from Marysville, we looked up and saw this beardy man sitting in a window strumming the banjo! He obviously doesn't patronise the establishment below him....

Duck siesta and Elmo

Napping beside the Yarra this afternoon

The things you see in a big city....

NaBloPoMo, feeling better, zombies

I'm participating in National Blog Posting Month again for the third year running. I've been a slack blogger lately, so I thought I'd give myself a kickstart with NaBloPoMo. Prepare for the daily bombardment of glee from Tuesday.

I had a nice sleep in this morning and stayed in bed for a while listening to the rain. Then I got up and went to the gym. Go, me! I've been back at the gym for about three weeks and it's amazing how much better I feel - more energetic, less sluggish and far less stiff and sore in the back and joints.  And that's just from two 45 minute sessions a week of stretching, core work and weights. Nothing overly strenuous at all.

The Zombie Walk lurched through the city this afternoon. There were thousands of them.

As a result, this guy at the ATM didn't really raise any eyebrows. He might have been doing the walk of shame after a Halloween party.

Polly has resorted to begging by the road side for crackers

Weeny, walking, big bikes

Look at these weeny ducklings! They looked far too small to be braving the choppy waters of Victoria Harbour. I saw the mother duck first and the ducklings were so small  I thought they were flotsam. But no. So cute.

I walked from Harbour Town to Southbank this afternoon, with a detour to Victoria Harbour. I've never really explored that area before. I walked until I was almost under the Bolte Bridge.

On my way into the city this morning I passed a gaggle of cyclists dressed up steampunk style. There was one guy on a pennyfarthing and one man on a gigantic tricycle.  Yesterday there was a man in Myer playing a ukelele and a girl walking down the street in a tutu and ballet shoes.

Big pony, sitting swans, helpful Jayne

This morning I shared the lift in my super corporate office building with a pony. A large, plush, pink and aqua pony. The woman carrying it decided her daughter had outgrown it and she'd brought it to work to give to someone else's daughter.

The two black swans who frequent the stretch of the Yarra between my house and the city were sitting on the grassy bank, engrossed in a vigorous grooming session, when I walked past on my way to work.

A woman stopped me to ask directions as I was walking home. I like giving people directions. Helpful directions, not rude ones.

Paddling and sunset

As I was walking home tonight I saw two young guys paddling downstream on surfboards. Standing up, with paddle in hand. Oh-kaaaay then.

The sunset tonight

Watch out, Post Bill

I'm glad they've finally decided to ease up on Bill Posters. This is in Caledonian Lane in the city.

Astro Turf Hand gets a buddy

Astro Turf Hand - solo

Once, somewhere in the mists of this blog, I briefly mentioned the mystery that is Astro Turf Hand, a little hand cut out of fake grass and inexplicably stuck to the base of the Swan Street Bridge.

This has perplexed me ever since I first saw it more than four years ago. Who put it there? Why? Why, dammit!

And now the plot thickens! Astro Turf Hand has a little buddy - Reflector Hand! When I was walking home last night I noticed someone had - equally inexplicably - stuck a tiny hand made of red reflective plastic next to Astro Turf Hand! Who? Why? WHYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?

The handy duo

Alas Google is ignorant on the subject (well, at least in the first couple of pages of results). Anyone?

A monger

Somewhere else on this blog I ruminated on how little the word "monger" is used these days, and when it is, how it is often in a negative sense - such as hatemonger or gossipmonger.

Well, today I found Sushi Monger in The Causeway in the city. I like.

Something else I found today

I discovered the word 'globuliferous' while looking up globulous to see if it was in fact a word (it is). Globuliferous means containing or producing globules. Weirdly, I dislike the word globule because it makes me think of gross things like pus. But I like globuliferous. There's just something about the sound of the "iferous" on the end that is very pleasing to my ear. Shame I won't get to use it much. If ever.

You got that?!

Walking through the Target Arcade in the city last night, my friend Anthony spotted this funny sign tacked to the front of a take-away food outlet called Health Conscious.

I love its many layers of amusement. Firstly, the y at the end of 'health'. What have they got against healthy unconscious people, huh? And do they actually refuse to serve people who are conscious but not healthy? How can you confidently spot someone who isn't health conscious? Have they established a standard of health consciousness one has to meet before being served? Perhaps a questionnaire to be completed before you get your lunch? Do you need to tell your server your BMI?

The use of capital letters on ONLY suggests they are quite cross with junk-food loving slobs and determined to turn them away. Were they exasperated by a steady stream of befuddled people asking for Mars Bars wrapped in bacon and fried in lard with a straight whisky and ciggie at 9.00am? Is this their equivalent of a 'No hawkers' or 'No change given for parking meters' sign that's stuck up in the hope of repelling time wasting nuisances? Like people with a hankering for hot chips?

And what if someone looks like they love junk food but has just decided to turn over a new lettuce leaf? Should they be spurned in their attempts to eat better? I think not! Lunch nazis!

I am tempted to go there on Monday and see if I can find any item of food available that I deem a little bit nutritionally dodgy, perhaps something that's not low enough in fat and salt. No, wait! I am going to go and ask for a Mars Bar wrapped in bacon and deep-fried in lard, a whisky and a ciggie, just to watch smoke come out their nostrils as they gesticulate wildy at the sign. Yes indeedy.

Guitar dude

Tonight walking home I saw a man standing on the deserted bank of the Yarra near the Swan Street Bridge playing a guitar. He was several metres off the path, with an upright helmet at his feet and a scooter parked nearby on the grass.

I guess sometimes the mood just grabs you, hey?

(I was too bashful to take a photo of him so you can have another picture of yesterday's precipitation instead.)

Chatting, rat patting and mannequin love

I patted some rats today. Not what I expected to be doing when I left my house this morning, that's for sure!

I visited a shop that sells clothing and accessories of an alternative bent (goth/metal type stuff - lots of black, buckles and skull motifs). I'd seen a skirt online that I liked but wanted to try it on for size. As soon as I walked in, the shop assistant came over and was on for a chat.

At first I was a little irritated - shut up and let me shop, dammit! - but I ended up happily discussing the rampant consumerism of Christmas, vegetarianism, the death of pets and various other topics quite unlike the normal small talk you get from shopgirls.

Then she mentioned she had her pet rats in the shop today so I asked to see them and I had a pat. Obviously I'm not grossed out by them. It's not like they just crawled out of a pile of roach-infested garbage. (When I was a kid, living on a farm in the middle of a mouse plague, I always felt sorry for the cute little mice when they got killed. Perhaps I am just favourably disposed to rodents?)

I ended up buying a T-shirt (above) which I did really like, but I also felt I couldn't walk out empty handed after standing there talking for 20 minutes! Maybe that's her sly plan...

(PS The Army of Wonderland T-shirt is by Beserk, an Aussie label.)

Big man-nequin

I had a chuckle when I walked past a shop which had a few male mannequins in the window wearing very, very well padded trunks (below). The bit that looks like the mannequin's right leg is actually the bulge! I also like the way the mannequin on Mr Bulgy's left is reaching for a tentative hand hold. Aw...dummy love.

Side note...

I have just learned the word mannequin comes from the Dutch language. It originally meant dwarf but then came to refer to an artist's model. We later adopted the French spelling. The words easel and landscape were also plucked from the Dutch artists. Etymology is so interesting, isn't it?