From Here To There

Aliya

2011-11-29T15:21:00.001+11:00

Erdem, Eun Iee & Aliya were in Melbourne. The first time we had seen her. Such a pleasure.... and so happy! See you back here soon Aliya.

Happy 12th Birthday, Tia! Nov 26 2011

2011-11-29T14:48:00.001+11:00

Warm Daze

2011-11-29T14:38:00.001+11:00

It's starting to get warm - yup, Southern Hemisphere stuff... And on a late evening ride, across the Yarra, this warm buttery light, and an oh so dramatic evening..

Bent and Beautiful

2011-11-29T14:26:00.001+11:00

On Brunswick Street, this bright yellow 'I'm not going anywhere' piece of art... Just sitting there, and a smile on my face.

Ah so Ethnic - Namaste, and all that

2011-11-22T09:51:00.001+11:00

We had a great party over Divali. Since we celebrate all the festivals, and enjoy the soufflé of all the different ethnic diaspora around us, why not have a party for India's biggest....
We all dressed ethnic (well the girls did, me... well kinda) and had a bunch of our friends over. I'm a lucky chap, and my girls are gorgeous....
(IF you want to see them full sized, click on the images) -

And Tia, with her just-fitted braces.

More ethnic, iconic presentations..

Uh, it's now time to crack out the Xmas tree...

With a Growl....

2011-10-21T14:07:00.001+11:00

I took my ol girl out for an extended spin. It is really amazing how much of a thrill some machinery can give. It's true, honest. Not just motorhead stuff, but I'm talking about a real match of precision and appropriate technology. Even if I'm just burbling along and with the motor just ticking over, or if I'm thrashing it around, high RPM wound-up, there is this sense of exhilaration. Zen like, perhaps. Getting carried away, perhaps. Whatever, it makes me happy...

Stop Frame Excitement!

2011-10-19T11:35:00.001+11:00

I love Stop Frame (and all other animation), this one just puts a big smile on my face...
Now imagine if all old crumbly buildings could have another opportunity!

COMBO a collaborative animation by Blu and David Ellis (2 times loop)

My Coordinates

2011-10-07T14:08:00.000+11:00

View Baptista Residence in a larger map

And here's a link: http://g.co/maps/jdhej

Jailbreak your Life!

2011-10-06T17:17:00.002+11:00

How to Jailbreak Your Life So You Can Live the Way You WANT:

You Can, I believe.
Succinctly put, and view it at THIS link here -

Edison, Einstein, Jobs

2011-10-06T13:25:00.002+11:00

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Steve Jobs 1955-2011. He was a force and an influence that couldn't be ignored. Several times over the years as I firmly embraced the Apple Mac DNA, I couldn't understand how one tech company could get it right every time, all the time.
Well almost. I still have some reservations about Flash - (I think axing it was a bit premature) - and probably Jobs will be vindicated finally when we find that HTML5 and subsequent other solutions will fill that void...
I don't know if the next generation of devices will carry that 'omigosh' and 'wow' factor. I really hope so. I do know though that the Mac and Apple products pushed the boundaries AND forced the competition to raise the bar, constantly, and we the consumers won out every time. Given that development cycles are in place several years in advance we'll still see great products for a while. Then comes the acid-test and the ability of Jobs' successors to show that his vision can endure.
RIP Steve Jobs, we're gonna miss you.

George Kuchar. 1942 - 2011

2011-09-11T08:27:00.001+10:00

George Kuchar was my advisor/professor for film studies at The San Francisco Art Institute.
Along with James Broughton & Gunvor Nelson my other advisors, he was a major influence on my creative development.
I remember his sessions in Studio 8, those wild, insane filming sessions - films made from start to finish, sometimes in 3 four-hour sessions! Scripting, dialogue, sets, props, filming, editing, audio..... Omigosh
I filmed 'I, An Actress' in '77, and worked on 'Mongreloids' in '78 with George. I also worked on 'Conversations with Bakko'. Bakko was his big Irish Wolfhound that lounged around and filled his couch. Like everything George did, I really felt the dog had a character - you believed in!
As students, when we'd visit him at his home in the Mission District, off Castro, he'd have this insane Madonna that lit-up with flashing lights and hymnal music when you flushed the loo! O wow George, you were special.
We're gonna miss you, you made life one grand movie! Lights fade to black.... (Marc Baptista)

Remembering George Kuchar. 1942-2011.
by Sean Bokenkamp on Friday, September 9, 2011 at 6:17am

George Kuchar put himself into everything he did. Okay, that’s a cliché. But you can’t talk about George Kuchar without talking about clichés. George took film clichés and story-telling conventions and exploded them with a sensual, rakish, devastatingly charming touch. Whether cinematic or soap-operatic, low-brow or high-brow, George took the chintzy, schmaltzy effluvia of pop culture, shook it up, and then reconstituted it in the ambitious, emotionally lurid yet lucid pictures that he made with his friends. And he helped us recognize the power and pathos of those conventions by making them seem startlingly new and funny as fuck. George was able to take something simple and cheap and make you see how gorgeous and heartbreaking it could be. Life is made of such cheap stuff.

George was a real fan of Hollywood cinema, from the lush and lavish to the sublime and ridiculous. George and his twin brother Mike made cinematic spectacles of themselves with their friends starting in the late 1950s. They were there for the birth of the New York underground cinema, not as originators, but as tempest-tossed captains buoyed by the rising new wave of the weird and wild and unconventional. But unlike some who have tried to follow in his footsteps, George was never arch or disingenuous. He never laughed at the strange and wondrous characters in his pictures. They were his friends. And he was right there in the picture with them.

George was attracted to people. And people were attracted to George. You can go through the decades of class films that he made with his students in Studio 8 at the San Francisco Art Institute and see how hungry his students were to be seen, to look, and to be a part of something fantastical and daring. George was able to tailor ever-evolving screenplays to get the best out of them. As his teaching assistant in 1996, I was always amazed by how quickly and easily he could whip up funny, inventive dialogue. After setting the students in motion to create the set for the day’s shoot, George would sequester himself briefly in the small screening room at the back of the classroom and, on a scrap of paper, would work out the day’s dialogue.

Every picture that George made came alive with raw emotion. George Kuchar didn’t make “camp” films or “avant-garde” films or “pornographic” films. George Kuchar made pictures. Whether on 8mm or 16mm film, or on 8mm or Hi8 or digital video, George made pictures that embodied his sense of humor and conveyed his affection for people and his lust for life. He used the word “pictures” to describe his work not only because he wanted to sidestep the argument about the seriousness of “cinema” and “films” and the tawdriness of populist “movies”, but also because he was a skilled illustrator and painter. He imbued his drawings and paintings with the same mix of rough, unvarnished beauty that he brought to everything he made. To think of George Kuchar as the apotheosis of “camp” filmmaking is to miss most of the story. In his vision, melodrama was no less capable of eliciting true emotion than high drama, tchotchkes were no less of a lens through which to venerate and contemplate the unknowable than religious icons.

George had an incredible eye. If you watch any of the pictures that he and his brother made together on film, or George’s 8mm and 16mm pictures, you are immediately struck by his lush compositions, his oversaturated, vibrant colors, his ability to weave together textures that scream out to be touched and fondled. Indelible in my mind’s eye are the vibratingly passionate shades of red woven throughout Eclipse of the Sun Virgin (1967). One scene shows a young man with shellacked black hair standing in a tiled bathroom wearing a red button-down shirt that resonates with and accentuates the blooming red spots of his acne. In a series of intercut shots George–with red full lips–looks, then looks away, then looks again, heightening the fluctuating tidal pull of attraction and repulsion. The flesh is feeble and imperfect, but still strong enough to make the spirit weak as it squirms, chained and enthralled by the mysterious power of the flesh.

The compositions and cinematography in the pictures George shot on video were no less compelling than his work on film. His video work, however, is often layered with video effects that feel less organic than the animated special effects that he created for some of his film-based pictures. It isn’t every artist who can be so accomplished in one medium and then drop it for a cheaper, new alternative. But when George took up the video camera he discovered new powers within its constraints. George loved the act of making pictures, the writing, the special effects, the editing, so much so that he always gravitated towards the cheapest options so that he could keep constantly working. George was an enthusiastic proponent of consumer-grade video equipment in an art world where avant-garde filmmakers fetishized and venerated filmmaking on film as the one and only true path. George was able to use video cameras in new and inventive ways. The camcorder technology of the mid-1980s helped George achieve a new level of spontaneity by allowing him to intercut footage and audio in-camera while shooting on location. The size and weight of consumer video cameras also allowed him to get right in amongst the action and to eliminate the distance between himself and the people in his pictures.

George was fully himself at all times, and in all situations. In personal conversation he was very much like how he was in his pictures. He was honest, open, and incredibly funny. He was unafraid to talk about his love of food, or his bodily functions, or about his neuroses, but always in the most hilarious, forthright manner. George loved people, and he wanted everyone to make pictures, to make art. But when he came into contact with an art world full of big egos he could be wickedly sarcastic, and incredibly insightful about people's peccadillos and foibles. George would often punctuate a really rollicking tirade with an exclamation in his Bronx brogue “Ah, the hell with it!” He could crack you up just by talking about the weather. But for him the weather wasn’t just idle, impersonal talk. The weather was Nature’s Spectacle, full of grandeur and power and beauty of the highest order. And although he was afraid of its power, he loved it dearly, as you can sense by watching his Weather Diaries (1986-89). For George the world was full of magic and wonder and humor.

One of the most lyrical shots from Hold Me While I’m Naked (1966) shows clusters of rooftop television antennae as they throb and shudder, dancing in the wind. This image perfectly conveys in a succinct image the collective isolation of a nation so newly entranced by the power of the televisual dreamworld. The swaying antennae also stand in as actors and audience for the isolated protagonist. Orchestral strings waver in a frisson of syrupy sentimentality, but the scene is nonetheless heartbreaking and poignant.

Hold Me While I’m Naked is perfect, as a picture, and as a summation of George Kuchar’s intent as an artist. On the one hand it is a modest, low-budget, small-scale picture full of stunning visuals and quirky characters that has inspired countless filmmakers over the decades. But the title is also the director’s plea to his viewer. George exposed himself, emotionally, and often physically, in his pictures. He held nothing back. And he invited us to join in too, to laugh, to cry, to expose our own emotional selves without fear or hesitation.

Miles, whatever...

2011-09-10T21:32:00.001+10:00

Miles - the first thing that pops in my mind is Davis that great, eclectic jazz musician. The other miles is Miles Elliott, a good, nay, great friend of mine I subsequently lost contact with him. I last heard that he's living in Mauritius with his wife Annick... If anyone has any idea or suggestion on how I may be able to get in touch with him - that would be very appreciated.
So, when the news commentators mention miles per hour during the F1 races or Wimbledon (via BBC, where oddly enough they converted to km a long, long time ago) I just cannot think of velocity per linear distance - whatever.... Quirky and archaic and oh so wierd. Yards, furlongs, stone, hundredweight - yikes!

Hats & Stuff

2011-09-10T15:25:00.001+10:00

Trilbys, fedoras, hamptons, akubras, Barsolino, porkpies.... I am a hat-man! A great collection that Mara my daughter, started me on. Being bald, I realised I was either getting sunburned, or cold - and my hats now solve that. My favourite is still my first - a Stingy Brim by Akubra - even though I most often use a 'hooligan' flat-cap. It's just easier and less of a presence. Sometimes you just want to sail under the radar.
Does this have something to do with age? I don't know, but probably. I've always thought of them as classy! Uh, kinda Raymond Chandler-ish. More on this later. (Photo - Tia Baptista)

Two Years Later.....

2011-04-19T13:19:00.003+10:00

Hard to believe, but it's been two years since I wrote. I can't believe how quick it's gone by (that's a cliché!), and how much has happened..
The real reason I haven't been blogging is because of Twitter. I do like the pure distilled essence of 140 characters. Micro-blogging. It suits the sense of immediacy I prefer..
We're in a funky but gorgeous Victorian in South Melbourne. Not much of a yard, but the size of the house (along with the high, high ceilings) more than makes up for it. Oh, and the fireplace, can I mention just how special that is. Especially with some logs of red gum crackling and hot, with the fart and sizzle of the sap burning. And we're surrounded by parks. That's great for the dogs. Krikka is starting to slow down a bit as she gets older - and I guess we all are too.
We're totally busy and stuff happening all the time. Kids are still sailing, plus Mara & Tia are playing tennis (really well) and Mara has been rowing for her school
We're definitely city folk. I mean Bowie was great, but the buzz of the city is what we all love and enjoy, The ability to hop onto the tram and get right into the city in 5 minutes is priceless, and all the cafés and restaurants and Chinatown and the theaters and movies and the Yarra river with the bicycle trails, and the beach right there - plus Albert Park (and the lake) only 400 meters away where the girls can sail, - - and this raving can go on and on. This is where we want to be - & just loving it.
Oh, and I've been wearing a hat. I would either get sun-burned on my bald head, or it would get too cold. Somehow a baseball cap just didn't do it. And besides, I like it. Raymond Chandler-ish. Mo seems to think it's OK. Mara started me off - a Christmas present of a very fine, pricey trilby - an Akubra 'Stingy Brim'. I've since gathered a collection of trilbies, fedoras and hamptons. My first hat is still special.
Just discovered that my iPad does not let me add images, so when I get on my notebook I'll post an image of me with a hat.
That's it for now. more later when the urge hits me. I guarantee it won't be 2 years!

An so on to our next spot.

2009-08-30T12:14:00.008+10:00

So we're moving.
From Beaumaris which we've loved, but it's time to move on - right into the city.
I have to say we totally enjoyed being in Bowie. It's a fabulous spot, the big spaces, the easy pace, the beach and great friends.
We'll miss our house. This most incredible space has been home (and more) for several years, but we're not ready for the laid-back lifestyle (just yet). And we won't miss the commute several times a day. We will miss Malt the café, Rickets Point, The heath at Long Hollow, Banksia & Macdonald Reserve, the breathtaking beauty of bayside Beach Road, the proximity to the Concourse and a lot more.... - but the best thing is we can get here anytime in half an hour. And, we will be back regularly to visit.
We will be just where we've always wanted to be - in Albert Park. Close to the theaters, the shows, the museums, the galleries, the cafés, the easy transport, the jazz clubs, the foodie spots, the nightlife.... that buzz!
Our new address is: 275 Montague Street, Albert Park, Vic 3206. It's a Victorian, much smaller than where we are now, but the location makes up for it all. I mean we've got a park (St. Vincent Garden) just 100 metres away, and I also found a garage to rent for my Porsche (the family wheels will stay out on the road, but that's city living) - and transport by tram is a hop away. We're ready for it... See you there.

Backwards

2009-08-30T12:12:00.002+10:00

In my next life I want to live backwards.
You start out dead and get that out of the way.

Then you wake up in an old people's home
feeling better every day.

You get kicked out for being too healthy,
go collect your pension, and then when you start work,
you get a gold watch and a party on your first day.

You work for 40 years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement.

You party, drink alcohol, and are generally promiscuous,
then you are ready for high school.

You then go to primary school, you become a kid, you play.
You have no responsibilities, you become a baby until you are born.

And then you spend your last 9 months floating in luxurious spa-like conditions with central heating and room service on tap,larger quarters every day - and then Voila!
You finish off as an orgasm!

I rest my case.

.......Woody Allen

350.org

2009-08-23T15:20:00.005+10:00

I'll be in Sydney on October 23rd for the 350° event. I'll be filming and working with Annamaria Talas on the acquisition and editing. It's a great reason to be. Tune in and DON'T drop out..... Maybe I'll get Mo & the girls to join, but we've also got Adrian & Rebekka Koch with their kids visiting. We'll squeeze it all in, somehow. Dharamshala Baptista springs to mind. (Translation: dharamshala is a dormitory, travellers abode and a rest-stop home for ~usually~ monks and devotees!)

Foot, feet, whatever....

2009-08-18T13:06:00.007+10:00

'A second leg has been sighted in waters off the Mornington Peninsula following the discovery of a woman's leg on a Phillip Island beach'. - So goes the writeup on the local rag The Age. If it weren't so sick and twisted, I would laugh out loud. 'Feet take a walk' springs to mind. This grisly stuff makes me wonder where the rest of her is. I mean really! Dismemberment? Shark attack? Gangland hi jinks? I have to say limbs, appendages, digits and all that should absolutely stay together. Nuff said.....

Habla en es Espanol?

2009-08-13T13:01:00.005+10:00

Just by chance, the other night I caught one of my favorite movies - 'Carmen' by Carlos Saura, one of my favorite directors. It's just sheer visual thrill, and storytelling in it's finest form. Don't know what it is, but I have to say that of the top most favorite directors of all time, 5 of them are Spanish - Luis Buñuel, Carlos Saura, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Guillermo del Toro & Pedro Almodóvar Caballero. I mean that's Five! Fuckadoodledoo. Hmmmm, gotta give that some thought. It IS all about storytelling, and I am a slave to that... Not always neat and tidy and pretty and all that - but every one of their films are powerful, gritty, painfully intense and sheer pleasure. ( I very briefly met Buñuel in Mexico City in '74, he was quite deaf, living in a spartan, hermetic setting - refusing to communicate and very distant, but it left an impression). After that, I remember frequenting a bar/restaurant near Zona Rosa and Pederegal de San Angel called 'Maison del Perro Andaluz', after his famed surreal/dadaist movie 'El Perro Andaluz' - The Andalusian Dog. I think I'm getting wound up for my own filmic journey...

Been awhile

2009-08-10T13:52:00.007+10:00

It's been ages since I last wrote. That's probably because a lot's been happening - life, work and the usual.... Oh, I've also been updating my Flickr account (somewhat), but even that needs tending. As well as the 140 character spin, which can be useful at times....
I told myself I just gotta get back. Not only does this provide me with a sense of order (everything else I do is controlled casual dis-order!), it also allows me to create a kind of chronology of events, a visual timeline, and my very selection of images develops a taxonomy of priorities and importance. In my life anyway. Huh? I said that? So here goes, I WILL start picking up from earlier and post those past images first (so that I can still maintain some semblance of order), and keep at it till I am somewhat up to date. That's the intention anyway.
Oh, and we ARE moving home. Closer to the city. I mean right in there where the action is, and the cafés are, and the shows, and the theatres, and the movies, and the museums, and the funky lane-ways, and where the wild, strange and sometimes bizarre folk tend to gravitate. Yup, I'm the enemy of 'normal' and I AM feeling good about this. Besides we will be getting out to the outskirts and country trips, especially with Mara & Tia now active sailors and every weekend at the Sandringham Yacht Club.... Bit of both, and no more long commutes, and the ol Porsche foe fun countryside trips and pleasure. Yesss indeedy.

A coffee-styled Balinese Dinner at St. Ali

2009-03-26T21:31:00.026+11:00

OK so this was another surprise evening at St. Ali. The brilliant chef - Ben Cooper ex-Long Grain, put on a real performance. Mo and I turned up, we didn't know what to expect. The usual ambience that's so easy and comfortable to slide into, hang on - it looks like a lab experiment is underway! Nope, it's Toshi Yuki Ishiwata, grand master of the siphon. (A siphon! Isn't that found in a toilet?). With an array of wild bubbling glass tubes, crucibles, back lit by amber lights (heating lamp) and an oh so complex, deft mad-scientist inspired performance, Toshi (who doesn't, or rather isn't inclined towards conversation) delivers some smooth, light, airy coffee. Voilá siphon. The video clip - Toshi + test-tubes - is here below.

We were seated around several shared large tables scattered about, Salvatore was as effusive and welcoming as ever. That chap has advanced, finely tuned people skills.
I kept dashing over to the kitchen to see Ben and his team crank out his magic. It smelt wonderful. The kitchen clip is here below.

Salvatore, behind the scenes, literally....

St. Ali's chef, Ben Cooper

Kris, our maitre de, suggessted a light, fruity Piñot Gris from New Zealand - I can only remember it's name sounded like you're clearing your throat. Must be a Maori thing.
This was the Menu for that evening:
- Tumeric Caramel Fricasee of egg (how's that, Ben?)
- Coconut soup of pumpkin and almonds with bean sprouts and chili
- Salad of crisp Asian vegetables with sweet vinegar and grilled squid
- chicken sate with peanut sauce and coconut rice
- Balinese style curry with young broccoli, salmon and dried shrimp dumpling
- twice cooked tumeric spiced pork belly
- roast duck with chili and coffee sambal wrapped in banana leaf
- babnana fritters with caramel and vanilla sugar

Of course, we had coffee - selected from Bali & Sumatra, and designed to complement our courses.
Iced siphon coffee
Bali Kintamani
Sumatra Blue Batak
Java Affogato

We had a few couples sharing our table, here are some of them...

Welcome, Jemma...

2009-03-26T21:20:00.005+11:00

Ann & Peter have a gorgeous little girl - finally! We're happy for you, and your wonderful package... Welcome Jemma.
Here's my little girl, Tia - all of 9, looking so grown up with Jemma.

And Mo with Jemma...

An Inner-City prowl with the 'Kommandante of Kool Haunts' - Kapil

2009-03-17T22:59:00.016+11:00

An impromptu stopover at the Old Town Hall, and we had a chance to drop in on a concert - a free organ performance by some Russian organist performing Bach. The organ was this huge, entire rear wall covering unit, and had that large rounded sound. The average age of the audience was about 150! We didn't stay too long....... The town hall is a magnificent space, and curiously, I noticed that the large tubular handrails on the way up were brass on the left, and copper on the right! I tried to think of a reason for that, bt couldn't come up with any logical explanation, just the architect's whim?

Pierre at the Belgian Waffle.
I recommend the absolutely perfect ham & cheese baguette. They call it the Parisienne. Ooh La La. Plus this bizarre postcard tacked up on a shelf. The music playing was by 'Hot Chips'. Never heard of them, great music though.

We stopped for coffee at a well-known joint called Café Mediterraneum. It was in a great old building called Manchester Unity International Order of Oddfellows. MUIOO. Oddfellows Indeed!

A wrapup to the day with this warm fade out, view from Beaumaris/Black Rock.

South bank Pavement face

2009-03-17T22:51:00.002+11:00

Trek Fuel 9.8

2009-03-17T22:33:00.003+11:00

I thought I'd put up these images of my bike. I ride practically every day, about 30 km. There IS a bond you build up with a pure mechanical device. I do love it. Mechanical advantage via gears; and a person on a bike is more efficient than geese migrating! (Measured in BTU's - British Thermal Units), whatever, it's my way of keeping fit.

Images from downtown...

2009-03-17T22:23:00.002+11:00

This was one of the books I was researching from for the coffee doco - at the State library. Published in 1922, it's an absolutely unbelievable piece of work, and some of the information chronicles the story of the beverage we take for granted...

Another after-school sailing session

2009-03-17T22:12:00.003+11:00

(That day there were literally thousands of jelly-fish like this one. One of the older, seasoned sailors told me that was an indication of a 'healthy bay'. Not so frickin' healthy mate, if you capsize and land thrashing around with those squishy bastards!)

Models modeling, Posers posing

2009-03-17T22:08:00.004+11:00

I saw this group preening and flouncing on the steps of the old Post office.
They were taking a brief break from their pimp parade, and I couldn't help this image.
Clothes for looking at.

More 'Street Art'

2009-03-17T21:38:00.002+11:00

And this set is off Findlay Lane...

Slumdog Zillionaire

2009-03-11T00:58:00.007+11:00

When watching the recent Oscar-winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire, everyone had the same question, how did these slum-kids know English. If they are from the slums how can they pick up one of the most difficult languages? Well, I was forwarded this link, and here is a video of a kid from the slums who is selling peacock feathers. Check out the number of languages he knows. This particular video clip was a big hit a few years ago, and now, they just found this kid again in his teenage years, and he's still doing the same thing. Check out these clips....

This is the lingo kid a few years ago,

.... and now as a teenager...

Super meal, sailing and sunset with the Funke's.

2009-03-10T21:37:00.007+11:00

We had a late start on Monday (a holiday - labour day here). Stopped off at Dirk and Margaret's for a super lunch, and then went over to the nearby Sandringham Yacht Club and our girls went sailing along with Leonard and Victor - each in their own boat! I also went for a sail - cramped in a tiny sailing dinghy - had hell of a time, ran aground, tangled up with the pier, got rescued by Margaret and finally made it back ashore - kindof..
I'm built for bigger boats.
(I'm looking to purchase a boat - 125, Taser, 420, 570, Laser 2000. Don't know which. Still deciding what would be the best).
After packing the boats away, we hung out at the beach - a crisp sparkling champagne, watching the sun go down, sharing this with friends. What could be better? A great way to wind down the long weekend.
For your information, it takes 3 minutes from the time the sun touches the horizon to slip away out of sight. Sweet.

Dumpling noodles

2009-03-10T21:30:00.002+11:00

In Footscray, across the river, a supposedly rough area, very funky, full of ethnic markets, food and of course, full of character.
We went with Willy and Debra, other friends of theirs and also Jacquie. We all had at least 2 kids apiece, so there were tons of them too. The food was fabulous, we ordered way too much, and finished it all....

Mike & Vicky & Grant & Amanda + assorted kids...

2009-03-10T21:26:00.001+11:00

For dinner....

With Mara at The State Library

2009-03-10T20:11:00.010+11:00

I took Mara to see the Bugatti exhibition. (My second visit, so I uploaded some more images to the earlier set). After that, we went over to the State Library. That was a grand experience for her (and for me!). We had lunch at Mr. Tulk and went to see the photograph exhibition. A documentary-look at the various famous Australian artists in their own personal studio space. No photography permitted there, but I was glad in a way. Every image was pretty spectacular, and there were so many of them. There's no way I could've even tried to do them justice....
After that we went onto find the 'Great Dome" the fabled reading room. It was every bit as grand as I had been told, and which I had missed on my earlier visit. This enormous space has this cathedral-like grandeur and is a wonderful space to 'get away' and have a bit of space and thinking room. What was equally magical was the exhibition that happens on the several floors ringed around this huge vaulted space (with great views overlooking the actual reading space). Exhibited were amazing works (original publications) of Dante's 'Inferno', a page from the Gutenberg Bible, Homer's Iliad, other contemporary stuff, some nostalgia some kitsch, and also an interactive display showing a panoramic 360° views of Melbourne, some views dating from the 17th century..
In the reading room, all the tables radiate out from a central hub. Well worn wood with a wonderful patina, dark green leaded glass lamps giving off that warm incandescent glow, really very cosy....

The Crevasse

2009-03-06T11:01:00.002+11:00

The Crevasse, by Edgar Mueller....

BUGATTI - Carlo, Rembrandt, Ettore, Jean

2009-03-05T12:31:00.035+11:00

A small, delectable exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria.
An exhibition on one of the most famous, influential families for the arts that we've ever had, The Bugatti's.
The following is an excerpt from the exhibition:
"Whether one regards as more significant the Bugattis' successes or failures in overcoming the dilemma of art in the modern world, their creations are there to be enjoyed. Their efforts need no further justification than their achievements. We can only be grateful to an Italian family that has visually enriched the twentieth century with such original and delightful work."
Malcolm Haslam, Introduction to The Amazing Bugattis,
The Design Council, London 1979

The Bugatti story encompasses three generations and four remarkable personalities: Carlo Bugatti (1856-1940), his sons Ettore (1881-1947) and Rembrandt (1881-1916). and Ettore's son Gianoberto (Jean)(1909-39). Their story and the diverse works they have contributed to twentieth century art and design is remarkable, stretching from furniture in the late nineteenth century to cars in the twentieth, and from intimate sculptures of animals to Art Deco coachwork.

Woven into the story of this artistic production is a personal family story which carries it's own complexity and pathos. Through the complicated period of European history from 1900 to 1947, the Bugatti family pursued their particular ideals, individuality and instincts with unrelenting creative vigour and purpose.
With the death of Ettore Bugatti in 1947 - following the deaths of his brother Rembrandt, his son Jean and his father Carlo - a truly amazing moment in the creative life of the twentieth century closed.

The Bugatti family left a legacy of work that is unparalleled in art history, a body of material that stands alone, and has defied conventional art historical categorisation.

The Exhibition:

Carlo Bugatti (1856-1940)

Ettore Bugatti (1881-1947)

Rembrandt Bugatti (1881-1916)

Jean Bugatti (1909-1939)

CARLO BUGATTI

REMBRANDT BUGATTI

ETTORE BUGATTI

Ettore Bugatti TYPE 37 1926

JEAN BUGATTI

Jean Bugatti TYPE 57C 'Atalante' 1938

A Correction, and an acknowledgement to the clued-in intensely vicarious, significant other....

2009-03-05T12:24:00.002+11:00

Hi Marc,
Kaps forwards me your blogspot which I enjoy immensely. I love your commentary and descriptions. I do have a little correction you need to make....I wouldn't have bothered but the run of amazing adjectives was too much for me.....
So my clued-in, intensely vicarious and altogether well-informed informant - Kapil, decided to turn me onto this little tucked-away alley way - Finlay Alley.
Did your well-informed fantastic friend bother to tell you it was his EVEN more well informed wife that told him about the library (which he has managed to let you miss the most fabulous Dome reading room with its green reading lamps and squeaky leather chairs) and Finlay Alley.
Photos are great - I had a blast photographing the Alley too
I need to ask you a few things about managing photographs - I'll give you a call
cheers
the clued-in, intensely vicarious and altogether well-informed .......

karen

More Art On Walls

2009-03-05T12:10:00.005+11:00

This time around Ackland Street..

Cupping at St. Ali

2009-03-04T22:54:00.011+11:00

Salvatore invited me over for 'a coffee thing'. Oboy, this turned out to be the inner circle of Melbourne's Coffee Cabal. The Inner Sanctum. The Aussie Coffee Cartel. The heavyweights of coffee, baristas, roasters, distributors, shippers - coffee at a whole new level.
Imagine this, a large space, late evening. Outside the wind is picking up, bits of paper whips by you as you make your way down Yarra Place. Inside, this large vaulted space with a hushed expectancy. We're early, and luckily, Salvatore, Melbourne's Conquistador of Coffee is already there. Well, it's his place after all, and we're his guests. The only 'outsiders' here. The lighting accentuates the large roaster at one end, the various other bits of equipment that I'll surely get to know sooner or later. A buzz of expectancy. A sacrifice?, A beheading ritual?, A pornography shoot? Nope, we're about to experience a 'cupping'. A coffee tasters frenzy, akin to a gathering of wine sommeliers discovering a new range of mature casks...
There are all these large tables. And pairs of cups, each with napkins covering them, 10 sets. 20 cups. 3 tables. 60 cups. People are steadily moving in, small groups. Everyone seems to know each other, kindof. Everyone we saw looks a bit wired, I mean, this is coffee we're talking about. One of the roasters I meet confides in me '10 before 10' - Does he mean he downs 10 cups before 10 am? I sidle away from him. Fuckadoodledoo. We're shown a presentation that is an absolute eye-opener. This is all about high-end coffee. Speciality stuff. Single Estate, single varietal, specifically grown and identified. Apparently coffee cannot be effectively identified by country (akin to saying I like French wines, as opposed to say, Bordeaux, or Beaujolais, and then the growing region, and then the estate!). These guys were defining the 'flavour profile', 'Cup of Excellence' which I understand are a kind of benchmark indicators.
The statistics were amazing. Norway has the world's highest per capita consumption. (Just one supplier in Norway purchased more high-end specialized coffee than the entire US consumption!). Also a lot of the coffee sold in the US is from 30 year old Brazilian batches left over from excess production - in an industry where they measure 'fresh' in months, and where yearly batches fromn the same region changes from year to year. And where consistency is as elusive as morals are with an Amsterdam hooker. There are 180 types of coffee, each one quite distinct. So many late nights! Insomnia reigns. The nocturnal army. We're caught up in all of it...
Next we got right down to the 'cupping' process.
Each set of cups are loaded with precisely 7.25 gms of coffee. Boiling water and exact volume is added to each cup, and then a timer counts-down. We're all given long-handled soup spoons, a paper cup (to be used as your very own, personal spitoon), and since the time is up, the ritual begins.
I was a spectator, pretending to be a specialist, so I just followed along.
First, the crust formed on the top of each cup is scooped away. Then each person scoops the coffee and with a noisy slurp (important to suck in a lot of air with each taste) tastes the mouthful and then spits it out. This was obviously a ritual, well practiced and pretty serious. The little video clip shows some of this along with the amazing slurpy sound.... It went on like this, circling the tables, noisy slurps, tasting, spitting, rinsing spoons, and again and again. The collective knowledge in that space was something special. these folk here were in the know, and for now, I was part of it.....

Here's a list of the 10 types of coffee we experienced at the 'cupping' process.
- El Salvador Siberia Bourbon
- Sulawesi Kalosi
- Ethiopian Harrar
- Kenya Gethunbwini
- Nicaragua Limoncillo
- Guatemala La Perla Guat Cupofex
- Lafany 100% Bourbon
- Sumatra Takengon
- Cachoeira 100% Canario
- Guatamala El Bosque 100% Bourbon

Which one did I like? Well, the Ethiopian Harrar, Guatemala La Perla & Sumatra Takengon..

And here's some more:

Finlay Alley & The State Library

2009-03-04T20:43:00.013+11:00

Both are works of art...
So my clued-in, intensely vicarious and altogether well-informed informant - Kapil decided to turn me onto this little tucked-away alley way - Finlay Alley. I am a sort of graffiti voyeur, though I don't altogether agree with the term graffiti - it really is wall art. Sort of muralistas of the masses. Popular folk expression. Whatever, I love it. Truly passionate, free-form, don't-give-a-damn expression. My heroes have always been the big muralists. Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco, Rufino Arellanes Tamayo, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and my dad! (Yup, my dad. He was a hugely successful filmmaker, but he actually started his creative path as a muralist and then dean at the JJ School of Art in Bombay).
So Kapil ani I wandered into this incredibly windy part of Melbourne inner-city, and in the midst of this commercial whirl, unbelievable......

And here is Kapil, shaking in his pants in front of this pacman-like character...

After The Alley, we had to get back to the counting-down parking meter, a great Korean lunch in a tiny joint, where the waitress answered all our queries with a hapless "ok", I mean please spare me.. 'Er, excuse me, do you think you could please bend over, so I can give you a swift kick in your pants?' Of course, the reply - "OK'.
Anyway the State Library (off LaTrobe St.) is a wonderful place and a great space.
I almost didn't want to get any images of the library. It was kind of special. I'll be back. This time though I got a whole lot of these faceless white marble heads of chaps who must've been someone or important at some time or the other.
We saw an amazing exhibition of photographs, by a photographer - R Ian Lloyd. Absolutely amazing. I will take Mara this weekend to go over it again....

Another Day, Another Flán

2009-03-04T20:39:00.001+11:00

This time with strawberries and kiwi.....

Stonnington Music Festival

2009-03-01T23:08:00.014+11:00

We went off to the Stonnington Music Festival at Malvern. We went with Dirk & Margaret Funke, their kids & Genevieve. We went off with a picnic and lots of wine - to see Willy Zygier & Debra Conway perform - I suppose the accompanying orchestra was grand, but the bright stars were the zygarettes!
Here's Dirk lording it over the picnic...
You can click on any of the images to enlarge them.

Margaret handing over the jarlsberg and camembert, oh yes indeed....

And here is Willy & Deborah....

Vespa

2009-03-01T23:03:00.002+11:00

I spotted both of these iconic pieces at St Kilda. Same day and within an hour of each other.
Why Vespa, well why not?

Dinner with the Martin & Cristiane, Terry & Sophia, Julie, Gaye and assorted kids

2009-03-01T22:57:00.003+11:00

Tia & Hettie

2009-03-01T22:54:00.001+11:00

Mara & Tia - Sunday 'C Fleet' Sail

2009-03-01T22:46:00.003+11:00

Mara at her Saturday Morning Swim meet

2009-03-01T22:41:00.004+11:00

This was at Carey Grammar, at their Sports Complex in Bulleen, about 40 minutes from home.
Mara in lane 8.

Strawberry, blueberry flan

2009-03-01T22:34:00.004+11:00

Another yummy dessert, á la Mo.

The Photographic Dictionary

2009-02-26T23:13:00.004+11:00

Every picture tells a story, or as in this dictionary, every picture describes a word - often in wild, amusing, whimsical and completely unexpected ways.
You'd enjoy it, and you can access it here.

Happy Birthday Romir!

2009-02-26T11:25:00.006+11:00

It's Romir's birthday today, Happy Birthday Romir.
He's my brother, & I don't get to see him much, but we speak very often, and the connection is good. Wishing you the best on this day. And, as our dad Clem would often say, "but are you happy..."
Here's Romir, mum and me...

Sit up and take note...

2009-02-20T21:37:00.008+11:00

With just a 0.006°C rise in temperature, the following link from the UK's Numberswatch Organization tells you how much damage and change we can expect.
(Almost all the items in it are links that you can click through to).

To give yourself the jitters, go here.

(and we're predicting a 1°- 1.5°C rise in the near future!)

Some current links of interest

2009-02-20T19:38:00.007+11:00

On the issue of the bailout:

The 'plan' not, according to Juan Enriquez:
(Juan Enriquez: A Harvard trained MBA, Enriquez is a broad thinker who studies the intersection of science, business and society. Formerly CEO of Mexico City's Urban Development Corporation and chief of staff for Mexico's secretary of state, Enriquez played a role in reforming Mexico's domestic policy and helped negotiate a cease-fire with Zapatista rebels. He is chair and CEO of Biotechonomy, a research and investment firm helping to fund new genomics firms. The Untied States of America, his latest book, looks at the forces threatening America's future as a unified country.)

For a perceptive video clip by Juan Enriquez, click this.

and

for Thomas Friedman's wild opinion for a solution, select this

and
for the Juan Enriquez article, here

and
this, from the US Congress' forecast...

Wesley College Induction at St. Paul's Cathedral

2009-02-20T00:17:00.008+11:00

Mara is a Middle School leader & Tia is a Junior School leader. They both had to attend an induction and Commencement ceremony at the St Paul's Cathedral.

Gerda Steiner & Jörg Lenzinger at ACCA

2009-02-19T14:49:00.017+11:00

The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. First, it's a beautiful structure - dark mahogany rusting steel plates with impossible angles and right next to the contrasting conventional generous brick structure of the Malthouse Theatre. Kapil 'Knees' Talwar my good friend who's really clued into the subversive, contraversial and creative scene in Melbourne - suggested we see this show at ACCA. We went to see a great work by two Swiss installation artists - Gerda Steiner & Jörg Lenzinger. This installation piece was on ecology and the state of the environment.
You enter this installation via a freeform 'tunnel' of highly reflective billowing mylar that twists and turns and finally ejects you into what at first impressions initially seemed to be a landscape by Jackson Pollock on LSD experimenting with sculptural art in a flotsam paradise. It was great! Completely with abandon and demonstrating sheer determination and self assurance. The following images can't do it much justice or give you a feel for the scale of this piece. Regarding the environment, judging by what we've successfully done in trashing it, Gerda & Jörg seem to be spot on - the central piece in this work is a commode....

And then the works continued, we stumbled beyond this exquisite trash-porn and got to this next space that had a water bed you lay (and then wallowed on), with projections an all the sides (and ceiling) - totally disorienting as well as impossible to photograph! Next, beyond this we get to another stark space (shown next) with this freaky kinetic mobiles that gently spun overhead (while you lay on either a swing/suspended bed, or a low cot. It was interesting because your view of the art constantly changes. Above one of the cots was a suspended Meteorite about the size of a large watermelon (on loan from the Science Centre), it was suspended by this multicore stainless steel cable, and out of this world heavy (I mean really unbelievably heavy - I couldn't even budge it), my fondling/handling immediately got a quick response from the young pimply Guardian Of The Rock, who pleaded, "eer c'mon, please don't touch it mate" and then laying under the meteorite, inches above my head and imagining the aviation-grade steel cable unravelling under the load and depositing this incredibly heavy turd-from-space on my face, and being squashed like a pimple, whatever... I had this amazing sensation when I got away - which I attributed to a holistic spacy mumbo jumbo experience, or maybe, just maybe it was the meteorite....

The next last area was filled with framed photographs, each one of o person hugging/lifting another person. It looked like all the images were shot in SE Asia - India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka etc. I thought this was the end, but wait, hang on, there was another tiny, tiny alcove that had a feeling like it might be a personal study, an office, perhaps a clinic? Nope - a Desalination Plant For Tears! Oh no fucking way! Oh yes indeedy, that's right, a desalination plant for tears. And here it is... Boo hoo..

Salvatore Malatesta - Mr. Coffee Meister

2009-02-18T21:49:00.015+11:00

And at St. Ali I met up with Salvatore. A passionate Coffee Commandante. We had an instant connection. He is the major-domo of Melbourne coffee, and a great chap. The genuine article. He had all these amazing, absofuckinglutely wonderful coffee 'deux et machina' devices. This kind of passion I can totally relate to. We spoke of a plan on doing a documentary on coffee.
Here's Salvatore...

This seemingly simple device delivers an expresso cupful of coffee liquor over a 6 hour period.
I tried some, I can swear I levitated. I'm hooked, I want more......

And here's another Heath Robinson-ish coffee device - this time an inverted percolator.. If it looks like Max is rolling his eyes, it's because he is...

And this is the business end of Australia's first 'micro roaster' - enabling boutique sized 50gm. loads of coffee beans for custom roasting. Imagine 50 gm! I mean the usual roasting loads are 50 Kg. Is this mechanical coffee/passion/love, or what?

Here are some images of the interior of the 'roasting' side of St. Ali.

St. Ali Café

2009-02-18T21:31:00.007+11:00

I went with Mo to St. Ali today. I was meeting with a dear friend and long time Melbourne buddy Max Waller.
St. Ali is a small café - hidden/tucked away in South Melbourne and a coffee aficionado's paradise. St. Ali is quietly famous - the signage is about the size of your open palm (I kid you not), and either you know it and are clued in, or you haven't yet had coffee!
Here's Max... you still have your mojo, mate.

And a cup of St. Ali joe....

D3

2009-02-18T21:26:00.001+11:00

Just messing around with my new D3. It's a piece of work and I love it.

Dinostory at Frankston and Fisherman's Cove in Mornington

2009-02-18T20:42:00.018+11:00

The Sunday sailing regatta for the Lidgett Trophy was cancelled because of high winds, so along with our good friends (and intrepid sailors) Dirke & Margaret Funke and their kids Viktor & Leonard; we went to the dinosaur sand sculptures and then to this wonderful idyllic swimming spot at Fisherman's Cove (near Mt. Eliza) Mornington Peninsular - about an hour from Melbourne.

I don't know who this bloke was. He was spear fishing - successfully, and managed to get some flatheads and leatherbacks. I got chatting with him, and much later, he walked all the way over to where I was lounging on the beach and asked if I would like one of the large flatheads he had caught - 'wonderful grilled with a bit of butter and garlic, mate' - I declined, but I was so touched by his generosity and that Aussie spirit.
Whoever you are, you reaffirm my faith in the spirit of man...

Is the plural of penis, penii or penises, whatever...

2009-02-18T19:42:00.004+11:00

We were all at this most funky but fabulous dumpling joint in Chinatown Melbourne off Little Bourke Street, at a restaurant called (what else but 'Shanghai Dumpling'). It was crowded, railway-station grade noisy and reminiscent of Wan Chai in Hong Kong. In this packed space there was this long table with wild women celebrating a girl's night out, a hen party for a soon-to-be bride. Yup, that's right she was wearing this penis hair band (with intermittent flashing lights!) and more. I couldn't resist a shot of this innocent face....

Andrew Maccora

2009-02-18T19:34:00.006+11:00

Andrew Maccora, owner of Malt + restauranteur, gourmet chef, chocolatier and passionate foodie.
A good friend and a source of culinary inspiration, here with some of his chocolate porn. Sweet...
Oh, and by the way, he always carries his fiendish smile and happiness around.

It's summer, and it's hot, hot..

2009-02-18T19:28:00.002+11:00

Koko epitomizes how we all felt on that super hot day in mid February. Here he's cooling off in the drinking water pail at the park. They call the parks 'reserves' here in Oz.

Tia on wheels

2009-02-18T19:26:00.002+11:00

Kodak Brownie

2009-02-18T00:29:00.003+11:00

A Kodak Brownie! Remember it? My first camera. I was delighted to see this (with it's quirky lights) - it was magic. It made visual dreams and the stuff of imagination. It sort of dates me, but it distilled the essence of our ability to reproduce that moment with something so fundamentally basic. This one was in a shop window in Barkly Street at St. Kilda. As a sort of prop-like window dressing - not capturing images anymore, just triggering that nostalgic past. I'm not getting maudlin or anything, just reminiscing.....

O'Mara Cycles

2009-02-18T00:16:00.003+11:00

Here are the chaps of Omara. I was back there repeatedly to sort out an issue I had with my new tubeless Scwalbe 'Racing Ralph' tyre. It first blew off my wheel (no, I wasn't riding the bike - it was hanging on it's rack) and then the replacement kept loosing air and unseating. Anyway they got it sorted out, and I have to say the ride on the Schwalbe is a dream....
Thank you Jay, Ryan +.

St Kilda Festival

2009-02-18T00:02:00.004+11:00

Gong Xi Fat Choy

2009-02-17T23:59:00.001+11:00

Animal Farm a la Orwell

2009-02-17T23:49:00.004+11:00

Yu Li isn't here because she's old (and doing very nicely, thank you) and chooses to hang out by herself and relax indoors.....

And here is Mo, out with the dogs on this oh so hot day.

Mara & Tia Sail

2009-02-17T23:05:00.004+11:00

Both Mara and Tia started their sailing sessions at the Sandringham Yacht Club. It was an absolute blast and they loved it. After 2 weeks of training - first few days of continuous capsizing - they are actually taking the boats out on their own and sailing! Tia is still going for training with the 'Tackers' on Wednesday evenings after school, and both sail on Sunday mornings with the SYC C Fleet Group. Mara sails in the larger Pacers, and Tia in the Optimums. We hang out with the other parents in the cafe and down cappuccinos. I'm thinking of getting a Tasar - it's a fun multi function sailboat, versatile and low maintenance. Lets see.....

Below is a clip of Tia in the Optimums and Mara in the Pacers

Beaumaris Beach in Summer

2009-01-27T01:28:00.005+11:00

Koreen Point, Back Beach, Blairgowrie

2009-01-27T00:53:00.011+11:00

We drove down for the day to meet up with Jacquie & her kids. This time went over to the deserted 'rear' beach. It was wild, deserted, unsafe to swim, but absolutely breathtaking, beautiful.

Lolling around

2009-01-27T00:47:00.002+11:00

Australian Open- The Grand Slam at Melbourne Park

2009-01-26T01:04:00.019+11:00

Our first Grand Slam! What an experience. Watching the heavyweights at the Rod Laver Arena was a treat. Safin, Nadal, Del Potro, Djokovitch, Roddick, Simone, Monfils, Tsonga, Baghdadis, Dimentieva, Safina, Williams, Suarez and so many others. The quarters, semis and the finals we'll watch from home, but the buzz of being on the grounds and all the 21 neighboring courts with visitors from all over the world was very special. Hell, I'm inspired to pick up my racquet and bash a few balls with Mara or Tia - (Mo's too skilled on the courts for me!).

And here is what the wild and completely insane Baghdadis supporters were like. If you ever needed supporters, this is what you should wish for. An ecstatic bunch!

Street Art near Hardware Lane

2009-01-26T00:54:00.002+11:00

Wandering the inner-city by lanes, I love these bits of complete surprise - like this staircase coming from and going nowhere. perhaps a muted message to the 9 to 5er munchkins scurrying to work!

Gasworks Farmers Market at Albert Park

2009-01-26T00:51:00.006+11:00

'Testicle Crunching Terrier'

2009-01-25T16:19:00.011+11:00

At the Victoria Market, Jeff Andressen turns out these lovely, insanely crazy, whimsical metal sculptures. I have the 'Testicle Crunching Terrier' - a real terror! The mentally nimble Jeff has others with memorable names like 'Psychophantic Sewer Rat', 'Turd Munching halitosis Hound', 'Binge Drinking Kitten with Spatial Disorientation', 'Septic tree Toad' and others too numerous and outrageous to mention.... Love his work (or not) but they're hard to ignore. I will acquire a few more...

Mara & Pepa

2009-01-23T21:48:00.001+11:00

Summer Sailing at RSYC

2009-01-23T01:06:00.011+11:00

Both Mara & Tia have completed one week (of two) in the Junior sailing program at the Sandringham Yacht club. They're sailing Optimums and Pacers. It looked like a lot of fun (starting with capsizing repeatedly!) and by the end of the week they were sailing independently. Kind of. They're still not exactly sure about what they're doing, but after their next weeks more advanced session they will be taking the boats out on their own, and more importantly, they're absolutely loving it.

Here's Mara with her instructor - Gaetan 'Frenchy' Luisi

Dog show or show for dogs or a show with dogs for dogs

2009-01-23T00:48:00.005+11:00

Every weekend there are outdoor movies at the botanical gardens that start about twilight. This time around (and apparently they do this every os often) there was a show where you could go with dogs. of course Mara & Tia wanted to go with Krikka and Koko plus they were showing a worlds first premier of 'Hotel for Dogs'. It was pretty cold that evening - the movie was OK, the setting was fabulous, the wine was a cabernet shiraz and we all had a grand time! The kids still think we're pretty cool, so all's well with the world....

Krikka Felice Azurro

2009-01-23T00:37:00.003+11:00

Tunnel vision

2009-01-23T00:19:00.003+11:00

Just a personal slice and i think a private view I thought I'd share.

A view from when I wake up in bed (yup, I had my camera charging near me!).

And, am I going to get some exercise or go for a spin....

St. Kilda's night festival

2009-01-22T23:55:00.006+11:00

Thursday nights in summer is this wild hippie-like festival at Luna Park. Jugglers, flame twirlers and arts and crafts and performers and of course, food!

Whoa, who's that?

2009-01-22T20:29:00.003+11:00

So I get to the back yard, and got a fright with this hatted, gloved and bundled-up person on a ladder. Hang on, it's Mo - trimming back all the wisteria, bougainvillea and whatever else - that's just becoming a jungle and getting out of control. I've told Mo it's farming-grade gardening.

Dog day

2009-01-22T20:26:00.001+11:00

Around Hardware Lane

2009-01-22T19:48:00.007+11:00

The word 'graffitti' somehow connotes illegal/underground, and just doesn't do any of this art justice. I am amazed by the detail and skill this craft involves - in what must be the only art form executed in haste, surreptitiously and for pure self-indulgent pleasure. Well crafted wall-art is a pleasure, and I'm a big fan. These are contemporary guerilla muralists!

I was on my way to check out my new D3, and later stopped at Brother Baba Budan, which had awesome coffee (even by Melbourne coffee meister standards - Brother Baba Budan, 359 Little Bourke Street).

Happy Birthday, Mara

2009-01-22T19:30:00.005+11:00

Jan 2 was Mara's birthday. She'd already had a party with her friends. This was just the chronological family-only moment. Mara wanted a cake from Brunetti i(n Carlton) and that was definitely over the edge...
We have a full-on teenager and, huh, guess what, it's sometimes impossible! It's true it's not always a cakewalk!

New Year and All That

2009-01-22T19:14:00.003+11:00

We had a great meal at 'Spicy Fish' on Little Burke in Chinatown. It's an easy place, food's great, the team there remember us all the time, Mara & Tia get to practice their Mandarin and they make their noodles just the way they like it. I just love wandering about downtown.

Well, Mo's still trying to get us to eat healthy, and so this year a lot more fruits and veggies. But I do love chocolates and cheeses and...

See ya 2008.

2009-01-01T13:21:00.003+11:00

It was a great year. Sure there was a lot of crap that happened, the planet, economy, wars etc., but, but from a purely personal self-indulgent perspective, we're having a gas - totally enjoying ourselves and exploring our new space. Mara & Tia are growing quick, are wonderful and happy. I often fire my 911 down the coast with Mo, stop for a mellow plummy yummy piñot and watch a dramatic sunset. It's good, and I'm happy.... See ya 2008. Can't wait for the new year.
This was the last image I took in '08 as we partied in Docklands. It's blurred, because I was...

The Beach at Beaumaris.

2008-12-31T18:48:00.013+11:00

Chinatown & Shanghai Noodle House

2008-12-31T18:33:00.004+11:00

Like the rest of chinatown, sheer visual titillation and texture.

We discovered this very funky little dive in a small side street (off Little Burke St.) it had the token grubby tables, zip atmosphere, 'don't put your bags on the floor' kindof floor, harsh lighting, no decor, but of course, the food was oh so very special. We got in just before they shut, and judging by the streams of locals turned away, evidently very popular. Shanghai Noodle House, I'll be back...

Dec is winding down - '09 ahead

2008-12-31T18:16:00.003+11:00

Mo starts to stuff the turkey. Kinda obscene now, but oboy, was it yummy...

Mo

Tia

Mara

Tia

My three girls, again...

At the Melbourne botanical gardens

This is actually a type of rose? Bizarre, but that what the sign says..

Other xmas time stuff

2008-12-31T12:02:00.009+11:00

Here's Tia and Piper. They've wrapped their hair all 'round their face and whatever...

And here's Trevor, our neighbour and avid cyclist - he's a bon-bon for xmas! Season cheer.

And this wonderful, wild character at the Abbotsford farmers market.

We're hanging outside Rodrigo's...

And drinks at Nigel's..

My three girls... Mara Tia & Mo

Pelligrini's

2008-12-31T01:00:00.007+11:00

Pelligrini is this great funky café downtown. Since 1954. Run by Nick DiSipio & Giovanni Rocco, it's laced with atmosphere and character and the coffee, well... guaranteed to get your heart racing.

Jacquie & Mo

Yin-Yang, Krikka & Koko

2008-12-31T00:49:00.002+11:00

Merry Xmas

2008-12-31T00:43:00.001+11:00

Mara & Co

2008-12-31T00:30:00.004+11:00

Mara had a bunch of her friends over for a sleepover. It was a bit intense.
Here's Pepa getting all wound up.

The night before, Tia decided to stuff a pillow in the seat of her pants and dance! She's having fun, and I'm ok with it. Gotta be a girl thing...