Month: January 2004

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Summer Storms

Well the long weekend was punctuated with summer storms. If you have not experienced tropical summer storms you are missing an amazing spectacle.

We had strong winds, large downpours, flash flooding, 70,000 homes without power and one cricketer killed by lightning. We were driving home from a friends place on Sunday when the second of the storms came through, thankfully the major part of the storm missed us, but it was scary driving around that. My family and I are safe thank you all for asking.

I don’t have any pictures but if you are interested you can see some good shots on Australian Severe Weather.

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Baby Dragon Found…. sure!

In the UK telegraph they have a story about a
pickled “dragon” found in a garage in Oxfordshire. This is widely believed to be an old hoax.

Ok I don’t know about you but this is so cool! Yes of course it is a hoax but what a cool hoax

Pickled Dragon

You can read the original article, but I found a better link with pictures.

From the article people believe that this hoax was created by the Germans in the 19th century to “show up” their Brittish rivals. They say that the Germans may have sent it to the Brits hoping they would fool them.

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Home Sweet Home

Well I am home for the weekend, and what a weekend to pick. Over here in Australia we are having Monday off as our National day, so I get an extra day at home this weekend, before going back to the national capital.

This year this holiday has coincided with Chinese New Year, so the celebrations have taken a distinctive Asian flavour. Yesterday with the kids we watched a dragon dance in the local shops. My son (five) spent some time afterwards trying to explain the feeling the drum made in his tummy. “Whurly” was the word he use.

Well today is a traditional celebration day, going over to a good friends for a BBQ and swim.

Have a good new year!

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First Creation(?)

Ok as promised here is the first of my paper sculptures.

Paper Frog

This little guy is made up of 5 parts (simple to start with) and come from the seasons collection.

Since I have made him heavy rain has been reocorded in areas of Australia that have been in drought for many years. So maybe the rainy season (Tsuyu) is with us.

He is currently living next to the mini bar in my hotel room

Frog and Drinks?

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Memorial

Today I spent a few hours in the Australian War Memorial. It brought back memories of my Granddad, recent wars and the devastating loss that conflict brings.

The Australian War Memorial is an amazing place, from the huge stone walls, to the panoramic view, the many diaromas and the tomb of the unknown soldier.

I am a pacifist, I do not believe that going to war solves anything, in this global economy I think trade and aide provide much better leverage than force. I do however have the highest admiration and respect for the men and women that felt strongly enough in our country, values and freedoms to fight and possibly die.

The newest exhibit is about the night bombing raids over Germany and Berlin. It is centered around a rebuild Lancaster bomber called “G for George” and includes some Messerschmitts as well as anti-aircraft guns.

This exhibit moved me as my Granddad was one of the men who fought and was lucky enough to return home. He joined the RAAF in October 1943 when he was 31, leaving behind his wife and my dad. He was trained and became one of the bomb aimers that made those night raids into Germany and Berlin.

I learnt this only in the last couple of years of my Granddad’s life. He showed us his medals, including the caterpillar, he told us how every person that survived, bailing out of a disabled plane. Luckily because of the skill of his pilot they made it to friendly territory before bailing, otherwise he would have to rely on his wits and a small silk map showing the location of the front line. I plan to request copies of his service record so I can find out more.

Being in the memorial became a little “difficult” at that point, I was feeling some very personal sorrow and regret. Regret I had not talked more to my Granddad, that I had not discovered more about this brave man and sorrow that he was gone. I left the crowds at that time and went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, I just sat for 15 minutes in that quiet and very amazing place.

I have included some photos, but really they do not do the place justice.

Pool of Tranquility
Pool of Tranquility

Spitfire

Spitfire

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Shots of Sky

Courtesy of Ivette01, I have been prompted to take photos of the skies over Canberra today. So click on the heading and see for yourself.

So here are a few to look at 🙂


Lake Burley Griffin


Sky through pines


Sky through red leaves

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Site Problems

Over the last week you may have noticed that my site has been non functional. I am now back up.

It is a very long story but basically someone decided that one of my email accounts would be great to spoof in a virus. So more than 20,000 emails and a crashed server later, I had to convince my hoster that I had not been directly involved.

Well it is back up now and I wish to apologise for any hassles.

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New Hobby

Since my work has decided that going interstate for 8 weeks is the only way I will have productive work, I have decided to take up a new hobby while away.

“What hobby?” you ask with baited breath. Well read on……

3D Papercraft!! That’s right papercraft. You see for people that don’t know me I am no handyman, or wiz with tools etc, but even I should be able to handle paper and glue.

So you are wondering what the hell I am talking about. Well somehow I came across this site and I was amazed that anyone could make this stuff out of paper. Then I realised that they provided the instructions and templates to build these things yourself.

Now I was positive I could not do the YZF-R1 just yet. That thing is amazing! Looking around I saw the animals and the seasons, I’m sure I could do some of them.

t couple of weeks I will post up some of my creations and let you know how I am going. I have started with some really easy ones, then I am going to try an eagle.

Wish me luck.