Ostrich

 There's an awkward gracefulness about the ostrich. They are beautiful yet strange at the same time.

These were taken at Auckland zoo when I went to see the kiwi....

Linking with #WWOAT #GardenAffair #SaturdayCritters #AwwMondays #NaturesNotes

My Five Favourite Monthly Moments - October

 It's been a pretty amazing month so narrowing it down to 5 is hard - my Singapore trip was technically September so I can't count that, as great as many things were there.

In no order, here we go:

1. Swimming with Whales. It was the most amazing experience. Hard to put into words the excitement and awe being so close to these massive creatures. The most beautiful moment was when they were under us about to come to the surface and the light was shining off their white bellies against the deep navy blue of the lower ocean. I haven't been able to stop watching the reels daily from Moorea Expedition, to keep reliving that memory. Unfortunately that below is the only whale photo I got - just the spout in the distance....zoomed in at breakfast one morning.

2. My visit to Piha beach. After a month of travelling with others, I went to NZ solo and the luxury of going straight from the airport to Piha beach and doing the walk to the falls and then stomping around the beautiful black beach in the exhilarating cold wind felt like such freedom. No one to consider, just revelling in the beauty for as long as I wanted. (The downside of course was I didn't stay until sunset as I didn't want to do that dark, windy drive by myself - though it was so cloudy I doubt it would ahve been much of a sunset).

3. One of my favourite DJs, Sam Feldt, came out so I met a couple of friends at Ivy to see him. The late start time worked well for me as I had a 60th birthday on the same night. Dinner was over and everyone was heading home so I could go straight to the club before he's midnight start. Unfortunately it was the same day my husband did a relay that meant he was up at 4.30, so I was very tired....but once the music started, I was there! We had the best night, and left the club elated - that happiness hang over the next day. So I was on a joyful high the next day....

Note, some scantily clad women or shirtless men so maybe not suitable for work but nothing rude.  

4. As always, Halloween is this month and while more subdued due to exams, my youngest wanted the house decorated and would spend an hour trick or treating....(Really just treating, right?) So a lot of happiness found in memories past as I dug out all the decorations....and greeted little kids - I enjoy seeing their costumes or their reaction to mine...

5. I spent this month seeing great art, great sights around the world, going to the theatre and many gigs. I've caught up with a lot of friends over dinners. There's really too much to narrow down the last one, so I'm just going to say the WHOLE of October has been my favourite moments! My Insta makes me burst into a huge grin every time I look at it! 

Linking with #TrafficJamReboot #WaterThursday #WWWhimsy #HappyNow #MFFMM and #SeniorSalonPitstop

 

Halloween

Slowly the streets start to change, and a few houses here and there get spooky...some with just web and a few ornaments, others go all out.

Because of the heat, the carving pumpkins really only get a day or two so they appear last.

Shops jump on board (and weirdly Real Estate agents do full on decorations).

Halloween parties have been going since last weekend (night clubs and bars have Halloween parties on the Saturday before).

Whether you like it or not, Halloween has truly been embraced here...Except for in high  schools where there are the end of year exams the next day and of course an HSC exam set for Friday...

Linking with #HappyTuesday #MySundaySnapshot #TheRanodm  #WWOT

"Fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment." - Alexander McQueen

The school formal season is upon us, and it seems in Australia the norm you celebrate Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12. I will save my rant on the decadence and overspending on these affairs (especially for year 10 & 11) and just focus on the clothes.

For many, the ticket itself is a lot, so then getting a dress or suit on top of that is prohibitive. However, this is a celebration with your cohort, so no one should be left out. There are plenty of organisations that recycle donated suits and gowns and give to kids that want to be belle or beau of the ball like the rest of their class.

"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak." - Rachel Zoe

So if you have current and good condition formal suits and dresses sitting in the cupboard, get them out asap to one of the many places listed below - please chack they are currently taking donations. Feel good that your beautiful dress will make special memories for someone else.

"Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn." - Gore Vidal

If you know any other places, please link in the comments (Australian only) as I'm making this a little SM project of mine. I want every kid in this country to have a special day.

I have no affiliation to any of these, they are just off google and a call out for suggestions.

 The Formal Project (Minto)

Project School Formal (Toowoomba)

Headspace Goulburn has a campaign.

Remote Op Shop (Darwin)

Formally Ever After (Queensland)

Deadly Connections (check they are still taking donations) 5 locations in Victoria

If you know of others, let me know. I will keep adding to it. Also, if you know of someone who might need their service, let them know.

No one should miss out because they have nothing to wear!

Linking with #WWWhimsy

Little Loves - October

Read These books over the last month, including a wonderful poetry collection. Currently learning all about whales at the moment with this - it's very enjoyable - factual but conversational at the same time...

Heard I saw Electric Fields with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and it was so wonderful. If you can imagine this song with the swell of violins and loud percussion. So magic. They have released an album with the Melbourne Symphony concert so you might be able to hear it....(note there is a swear word but you can barely make it out...however, for that not suitable for work) 

Watched Kinds of Kindness. I watched it on the plane and was shocked and embarrassed in one scene. I madly looked around to see if people were watching. It was hilarious. Anyway, while I didn't fully understand the point at the end of the film, I really enjoyed the journey. I thought it was funny and I loved watching the actors take on different characters in each mini film. There was something sort of old school about it while also being very avant garde. I guess it reminded me of rep theatre running three productions at the same time....You could tell the actors really loved it, and I guess that shone through. It won't be for everyone, lots of sex, nudity and uncomfortable moments (though maybe I noticed that more because I was watching it on the plane and people could see me watching it).

Made a start on my Share the Dignity bags. It's my favourite part of Christmas shopping, and as I do five, it means I need to be super savvy on the shopping, so watching sales of make up, backpacks, baby items etc. It does bring me great joy.

Wore I wore my old sneakers to do the 28km Seven Bridges walk. I just panicked that while my new fancy sneakers were worn in for the regular 11km walk, they might hurt after the extra miles. So even though the old ones have worn through soles, I wore them because I knew they'd done the bridges many times before. My husband (who had prompted me to replace them) was incredulous but it was all good in the end. I will now get rid of them and stick with the new ones, so by next year, they'll be fully worn in....(not sure why 18kms a week for weeks isn't enough to wear in shoes in my head)....

And lastly I saw the King. Sort of. I am in no way a Monarchist but the motorcade went past (basically drawing everyone's attention by stopping traffic - literally forcing the traffic on the bridge to park.) So I madly snapped away and got this one - which I think is the blob of the King and the shadowy blonde of his Queen wife. My eldest met the King as a Prince when she was a toddler and we have a pic of that so we are less than 6 degrees of separation as far as I'm concerned...

The photos are from the night at Electric Fields and the 7 Bridges walk.

Linking with#WWWHimsy

 #LittleLoves #ThruMyLens

Share Four Somethings-October

Things I've Loved/Disliked Having been away for a month, I've loved catching up with friends. I've seen groups, gone to bands, had dinners out and basically seen lots of people I felt I hadn't seen in ages. It was good to connect after having such an 'alternative' life to normal (ie not here in my usual spot!) I guess sometimes stepping away makes you appreciate what you have more.

Things I need to Improve Not getting annoyed at certain people's behaviour. I know not to engage when they start to play games but I do still get irked by it. It is not my responsibility to pick up their baggage.

Things I've Accomplished I have shaved off a lot of money on the hotel bookings in Japan by using all the points we earned in the last month of travels. While Japan is a country I would rather not stay in a chain hotel, free rooms when you have to book 2 rooms add up quickly. So alas, no cedar baths or tatami mats for us, on the plus we do get coffee machines...

Things I've Noticed I used to find masks in all my pockets and handbags (and on occasion still do) but now I see to find earplugs whenever I put my hands in my pockets. I wear them at bands after I read that ONE BILLION people are suffering hearing loss from attending festivals...That's 1/7 of the whole world! I guess it's a way of seeing that life has changed from what it was a few years back...(I still live in fear of COVID, but only that I'll have to cancel plans and miss out!)

The photos were taken walking to the theatre and to a gig. Appreciating the urban beauty everywhere I look having been out in the countryside or on islands....

Linking with #ShareFourSomethings  #Skywatch and #GaleriaHimmelsBlick & #AwwwMondays because Spy vs Spy did make me go Awww!