Ancient Treasures

I think it's a sign I keep uncovering ancient artifacts where I volunteer. Methinks it's a good chance to bring some additional bread and butter to the table. On sale at the store, are these cameras. Sold as is, meaning I think they wouldn't work, at $10. Advice anyone? The one on the extreme right is an Argus A-5 (1953-56). Classic camera I hear. But if it doesn't work, is it worth anything? Ponder.

In other news, also from my store. The following two photos are dedicated to my fellow sonic artists at RP.


Bird Sounds anyone?

Milk Bars, nice presos and a total eclipse of the Moon

Here's the local provision shop, they call them milk bars here.


And here's the extent I go to make sure my work is well presented, neat and well, hopefully a joy to grade.


And it's getting close to the 2 month mark. All's well, all in pretty good health, save for the rather dry skin.

Source - ABC News

There was a pretty lunar eclipse last night, and the moon was a dark, sometimes bright shade of red. Coppery pink was what the major media establishments said, so let's take it was that. Coppery pink. Read all about it here. I tried to take a photo, but alas. :) I did try. In any case it's well kept in the best hard disk of them all, in the heart!

We are loved

Singapore is loved, no?

For the second time in as many days...First, it was the flag, now we're the sea turtle. :)

If only we could advertise like this back home.

Sichuan Hot Pot

Breadtop. Indeed.

Saturday evening was spent celebrating Ryan's birthday, and he brought a bunch of his friends to some authentic Sichuan hotpot action in Box Hill - the de facto Chinese Commune in Melbourne.. We went for Medium Hot to accomodate some at the table who weren't too keen on sweating and tearing. Finally, the real deal. Food was sweet and apparently they don't do rice. Just straight to the hotpot. The table was even designed with a secondary level underneath to accomodate additional dishes of food. Massive.

The chords that saved the world

So there I was happily browsing Monash's Matheson Library's main collection.



It's a hard library to use. At least, the main collection. Dusty, is the name of the game, and immensely narrow one-way traffic action.

And amidst all this, I found this.



We'll see. :)

Why I am pleased to be here II

More reasons this place pleases me.


Authentic Sichuan food here, found tucked away in an alley corner of Chinatown. Bloody good food. For once I felt like I was paying for something I could not have made myself. According to the pal from Sichuan, he says it's as good as back home. I'm caught in the photo with my fish-flavoured pork strips rice. Sorry, bad translation.


And Shrek just won't go away. Pesky green monster isn't he?


Now, moment of truth. See how much the aussies love Singapore? Haha. Singapore Optus indeed. We are the new Japan.


Pocket Othello I picked up from my Salvo's shop.


And my newly invented dish...grilled beef with corn and cheese on toast. Quite yums. Had some advice I should not toast the bread to enjoy the grill more. Shall do tha next time.

Hearts and Steak

Cooked my very first steak in a while...And it cost me only $1.81 from the local supermarket. Good deal indeed. Top it off with some improvised garlic bread and a side serving of stir-fry vegetables, it probably set me back just $2.50.



In other news, check out more reasons why I am pleased to be here in Melbourne. Twin-heart-shaped exhaust.

Mount Dandenong

The wandering continues at Mount Dandenong. About 25km from where I stay and about 40 from the city. Fresh air was the order of the day, though the $4 entry fee into the lookout point was a little ridiculous. So there were lots of trees, several little townships on the mountain and of course, the breathtaking view. I'm afraid my el cheapo cam did not do the vibe justice.



And here're some better res photos, obviously not from my camera.



And the thought of the day? Courtesy of inspiration from my friend Luke, "Breathe Deep."

Why I am pleased to be here

5 years ago I would have said this was the best place in the world to be. 5 years on and with a little less young and dangerous vibes swirling in my mind, I would say, I am pleased to be here. Melbourne's great still. :)

But some of these photos will explain why it's such an interesting place to be.

Giant Daffodils seated right top buildings.

DO not park on grass. :)


My favourite. The triple 8 monument, also known as the James Galloway 8 hour system monument. Where Australians celebrate 8 hours of work, 8 hours of play, 8 hours of rest. Historical records indicate that they really fought very hard for this right, to the point that it got militant. Singapore should really consider visiting this idea seriously. We work too much back home, and rest too little. Any country that celebrates this has to be goodly, no?


Pretty darned good nasi lemak in Lygon, Melbourne's little Italy. It's been here since I was last here five years ago, and it's still here. Only now the kitchen's staffed by a bunch of students. It used to be the hardcore auntie/uncle system. Food's still decent though.

And last but not least, cars that we'll never see back home. This is a Ford I believe, and looks like a pre-dated Utility Vehicle (UTEs they call them here). Love the red, love the angel up front. Love the vibe.

Pleased to be here.

Gin Blossoms

Am busying myself with a massive assignment when a gentle breeze of reminiscence swept me.

Gin Blossoms.



It was just bout 10 years ago when the Gin Blossoms would gently prod me through my assignments, and 10 years later I'm still listening to it as my efficient, effective and best source of assignment completion music. Competition Smile was one of my faves back then.

It's been a while. Congratulations I'm sorry anyone?


In the meantime, Shrek's still hanging around.

Lazy

Thought of the day...

"I am too lazy to sit down."

A new week beckons.

Mountain of Pain

Snowboarding looks real easy. Keep yourself upright, shift your centre of gravity a little here a little there, and most importantly look glam. Yes but it looks real easy and stops there. Damage report - One popped knee, one sprained neck, one broken camera and tonnes of falls suffered by the 4 musketeers. And of course some serious wallet-erial damage. It set us back about $200 each for a day of activity, of which 8 hours were on the road.

Took us about 4 hours to get to Mt. Buller from Bundoora, we had travelled with the La Trobe uni overseas students association. Good vibes all round, even thanked the organiser post-trip for the time he put in.



Had a stop along the way and get some pretty mean chunky pepper steak pies.



Didn't manage to take many photos up on the Mountain. Visibility was poor, about 2 to 3 metres at times and it was raining, cold and wet at 4degrees. Terrible weather, and tonnes of pain. And $200 off our wallets. It would be have been great if the sun was up, for sure.