It's finally arrived!! Here it is!!!

Darlings!! You're the first to know! My very first Facebook business page is up!

Shotgun Photography.. no longer using iphone 3 to take photos.. !

I'll be adding more albums to the site as we go along. For now I have uploaded some examples of shoots including a gorgeous South American model, an accomplished author and an original designed business in Albert Park.



water lily

Not to forget the little collection of boudoir pics..

Which are totally do-able because I'm not just a mobile and off-site photographer (i.e. I come to you!!) I also have a tasteful central CBD studio right here, yes dear readers, right here in my very own apartment in the 102-year old, exposed brick wall, 16ft ceilings of the Manchester House building.


balinese ladies

If you're on Facebook, if you're into photography and most especially, if you need a photographer for any memory making event* for you and/or your loved ones**, come say hello!

Check me out here:

 https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Shotgun-Photography/411640275586152?fref=ts

* memory making events include: public holiday BBQs; First Holy Communions; day trip to the beach, countryside or farmer's market; bar mitzvahs; births, deaths, marriages; birthdays or any other event you want treasured memories of..

** loved ones include: family; friends; neighbours; children; cats; dogs; and any other animate or inanimate object you desire..

Thirty-seven-degree Thursday!

Days like this, I can only smile!!

Today I got to carry out my New Years resolution (remember what it was? hint: to work on my tan! okay that wasn't a hint so much as just telling you outright!). And it's always a good feeling to stick to our New Years resolutions, don't you think? ** smile **

Before my little trek to the Albert Park beachside, I met BFF to try out a new coffee place on the main drag of Albert Park. We initially just wanted coffee at The Petty Officer, but the staff were so damn polite, attentive and friendly (** smile **) that we made full use of the umbrella-ed street seating and the gentle, cooling sea breeze (** smile **), and settled in for coffees and snacks. The fresh muffins had sold out by midday so I chose a pistachio and strawberry friand instead. A tough choice with all the delectable looking treats by the counter! To say nothing of their breakfast and lunch menu! If not for laying on the beach in bikini I would most definitely have tucked into any of the delicious and wholesome offerings on the menu. ** smile **

naaaaw.. with love from the petty officer..

Two hours of hiding under the umbrella with my legs poking out to catch the sun (** smile **), and BFF and I parted ways so I could enact a sun-sacrifice for the afternoon whilst reading my autobiographical novel on polygyny (** smile **).. (Mormons.. Salt Lake City.. that kinda unsexy, God-sanctioned polygyny).

the petty officer.. looking inside from my cosy kerbside vantage point 'neath big umbrella

 

On my return from the beach, I bumped into my baby niece (** smile!!**)!!!

Darlings you might not think that's anything extraordinary, but I have not seen this baby since she was just a few days old! Her father (my brother) and I have not spoken since he didn't even let me know she'd been born!

So to see her today, with her nanny, was a real treat!! She was a solid babe, chubby thighs, little curling blonde hair and just four tiny teeth. I spent as long as I could with her, squeezing her chubby little body until she grunted and pushed me away, indignant. She certainly had personality!

** SMILE **

Her nanny took a bunch of cheesy pics of me cuddling and squishing my niece, then we promptly head to the famous Jock's Ice Creamery for awesome amazing homemade ice cream.

But not for me, no.
Because tomorrow is another hot day!
And a hot day means beach!
And beach equals bikini.

** SMILE **

So I'll hold off on eating too many delicious things. 

At least until the winter clouds roll in.

For now, I'll just continue to enjoy and to ** SMILE **

Holy Twirlin' Taters, Batman!

Wednesday was the perfect day.

You want to know why, darlings? Well, I'm going to have to tell you cos if I don't, this will be a very brief blog!

Wednesday.. lets see, where to start..

Lets go in chronological order (which I hope means 'as things happened..' !)

So número one-oh.. it was sunny (I know I go on about it ALL. THE. TIME. But I live in Melbourne! A clear sky is an event in itself!)

Onto número duo.. I was invited to coffee by the man I'm going to marry.. (this may come as a surprise to you darlings, certainly I did surprise myself.. ). He then sent me a couple of follow up text messages which BFF and I deconstructed, over-analysed and read way too much into.. (you know, just to relish the happy 'crush' feeling..)

And número trio.. another Wednesday evening at the halcyon Suzuki Night Market held each summer at the illustrious Queen Victoria Market.. not just hanging out in the last of the days bountiful sunshine, not just drinking sangria.. but for the twirly potato on a stick!

Suzuki Night Market.. don't worry, night was a'comin'..

BFF and I became absolutely mesmerized by the popularity of a twirly potato on a stick! We calculated that they were selling an average of 200/hr of those impressive lookin' babies. And at $6 a pop.. well, you do the math.. upward of $5500 for an evenings work.



$18 worth of potato right there! or $3/kg at your local coles..

So while we're innovatively and creatively trying to fill our lives with meaningful and productive work.. no, to appeal to the masses it seems all you need is a deep fryer and chicken salt. Simple as that!

It takes the KISS approach into undignifying territory.. Where's the 'Idiots Guide to..' dealing with that!!?



Tumblin' Tuesday

Let me be clear about this. To you, my darlings and to my own self - I do not want a relationship.

Clearly I am not ready to have any kind of ongoing committed attachment to anyone, since my heart is still healing and I've only just begun to dry my eyes.

So when my sometime lunch buddy/sleepover buddy held me accountable for lost time during a girls nite out (and lets face it, all my nights out are girls only.. don't want any partners to cramp our style!) I was a bit surprised.

"The other night when I said I wasn't horny just a snuggle you weren't interested! Then last night you just stop [texting]? "

When he then gave me the cold shoulder and proceeded to ignore me the next day, I was confused.

"Today I was busy not dismissive."

And when I confronted him with the question 'were you mad at me..' and he admitted that yes indeed he was.. well, then I was annoyed.

Mostly I was annoyed because his version of the story had me out all night and half the next day with a man, having sex and all kindsa things I could only dream about! When all I was doing was having a good time, dancing, drinking with random strangers and my BFF and then home to bed alone, sound asleep.

I also felt plain freaked out! The idea of a man keeping tabs on me does not sit well.
I do not want to belong to any man.
I do not want to be accountable to any man.

The thought of being in a relationship puts a huge weight on me, like an ill-fitting coat. Twenty sizes too big. And made of lead.

I make it clear to each and every man I meet that I am single by choice; that I do not want a boyfriend; and that I'll date but I don't want anything serious. Given the stereotypical man, you'd think they'd jump at this awesome no-strings deal! But instead I'm finding that they want me all to themselves, that they want to own me.

Something to keep in mind, darlings. The very thought of something we can't own running around in public only makes us want to own it a million times more for fear that it will become someone else's. That might sound a bit abstract but it makes sense.

For my situation, I let him know I was annoyed that I'd been mis-judged. (Of course I didn't tell him that had the right guy (read: hot!) come along it's perfectly possible I'd have gone home with him. I'm not ready for exclusive monogamy just yet.)

He sent flowers and all was forgiven.

Dear ones, remember this, it's easy to forgive when your heart isn't involved.

Pony Sunday

Pony Fish Island! Thank you!

from pony fish looking south-west toward southgate

Thank you for being cool! And thank you for being the only bar in Melbourne that sits right on the Yarra!

Honestly, with so much river skirting the CBD, how is it possible that we have only one bar on the river?

And of the thousands of bars in the CBD, why aren't riverside bars as much of an option as the now-passe proliferation of rooftop bars?

Yes I know the Riverside Bar, tucked behind Federation Square sits very close to the river. But lets face it, with that bit of access road between it and the river, for all it's proximity, it might as well be atop Ayers Rock.

Our Grand Ol' Mayor Bobby Doyle gave us the Swanston St redevelopment of 2012 (we love it, thank you!). May we now please have a Yarra River boardwalk? Complete with coffee stands, mobile creperies and pop up bars? Pretty pleeeease with sugar and a cherry on top!

Until then, Pony Fish will continue to reap the reward of being the only bar on the Yarra. It is divine to sit beneath the bridge or in the sun! The food is suprisingly good (you have to try their hefty beef burger! you'll never want to touch another Grill'd burger once you do!!). And pumping, always pumping with groovy tunes from the DJ and happy customers, chatting and drinking and looking out of the serene Yarra water!

Thank you Pony Fish for being there.



looking north from the island toward flinders st station on the right and vic u dead ahead

small joys fill a big heart

Isn't it strange how much our moods are dictated by the weather.

 

Melbourne today was a gorgeous 40C in the city! Just standing there, I was sweating like a war horse! And it was barely even humid, just hot and dry with a slight hot breeze. Even for a cold-blooded lizard like me, I found the heat a touch on the hot side!

 

But there's no denying, those clear blue skies do lift the spirit! Perhaps it was my lovely lunch companion? Perhaps it was the divine handmade pasta place he took me to for lunch! But a clear blue Melbourne sky, a belly of silky-fresh gnocchi and a hot hot day put me in heaven! I don't know why, but these kinda hot days remind me of being 6 years old, growing up in Adelaide. We'd get the hot Northerly winds in summer, that would burn our skin just as well as the searing hot sun could. All the neighbourhood kids would play in the street wearing just our undies. When there weren't water restrictions we would run under sprinklers all over the neighbourhood including the awesomest one under the trampoline, while our parents stood around the shade of trees, wilted in cheap summer dresses or Stubbies shorts, wearily complaining about the heat and placating hot whingey babies.

 



 

Albert Park streetscape

 

Although I departed Adelaide as soon as I was old enough, I do have fond memories of childhood. Everything was a discovery! Everything was new! Exciting! I wonder if that is why I move so often, to keep regenerating the thrill of discovery of a new town, a new place, new people to meet and things to do.

 

As a kid, I never really got to eat junk food. Mum was the original new age/hippy/greenie slow-food organic earth mother. Mum was planting and cooking with her organic produce way before it was cool. So while all the other kids got to have cool stuff like McDonalds, I had to be content with things like slow-cooked lamb stew with homemade steamed dumplings and chorizo risotto with fresh garden tomatoes and herbs.

 

So needless to say, candy was not a big feature at home. But when I did have a tiny bit of money, there I was a the local deli/milk bar, buying as many of those pink chalky musk sticks as I could get for 10c (back in the day, it was probably 10). The obsession carried into teenage-hood and being the oldest of 7 kids, I would bring the younger ones along and as they chose their chips/icecreams/lollies, I would buy up as many musk sticks as I could.

 

To this day, I am synonymous with the sweet musky smell and for bringing packets to my nieces and nephews. So you can imagine my delight when I was casually strolling through Priceline and I found Hello Kitty MUSK STICK scented body spray!! Of course I bought it! And I haven't stopped smelling like a musk stick since!!



well, heh-llow kitty!

 

 

Carlton Hotel

The Carlton Hotel. A misnomer by name as it is located in the CBD, but an easy favourite for the past few years thanks to the solid drinks list and reliable bar food menu. Add to this, the generous deck and velvet flocked ceiling and you're in Rio-cocaine-den heaven. Not that I'm a cocaine advocate by any means at all, but the velvet seating, private booths and opulent shady atmosphered does lend itself to another world from Bourke St below. The taxidermied ostrich and giraffe head are just the cherry on the cocaine cake.

Carlton Hotel Bourke St velvet finery

Carlton Hotel - cornices and light fittings flocked in velvet, of course!

 

From Carlton Hotel a casual stroll up Swanston St to Mekong for Vietnamese rice noodles (aka pho). I had the grilled chicken rice noodle soup and added in the extras (chilli, vietnamese mint, bean shoots and a squeeze of lemon) to my taste.

My date had the rice noodle with grilled chicken and spring rolls - a dry dish with no soup but all the taste of amazing vietnam in a bowl! Top it off with two bottles of Tiger beer, and we verily wobbled out of there, filled to the brim with a lot of leftover left behind, for less than $10 per bowl.

 

Char-grilled chicken soup and rice noodle with spring rolls - yummmy!

our table companions, argentinian sisters in their 70s, best of friends and eating vietnamese

Om

I thought I'd give meditation a go.

 

I've never meditated before in my life, not even once. I mean, I've done the relaxation exercise after yoga practice, but that is an exercise structured more to relax and wind down than to clear the mind and send out the love vibes!

 

So last Thursday, while Melbourne languished in 40C ot breath-like heat, I trotted along to Federation Square for a big ol' group meditation class.

 

It was suprisingly popular with hundreds of people showing up despite the wilting heat. Many Buddhists with shaved heads and exuberant joy emanating from their shining faces. I looked on dubiously, wondering how they could just be so happy.

 

A short introduction then the mediation began. Amazingly, the quiet peace of the Buddhist nun leading the meditation permeated through the vast open space, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Melbourne at 7pm on Thursday evening. First we were told to think of those things that worry us, cause us distress, heartache or anxiety. Those things that keep us awake at night, that make our hearts palpitate, that cause us to sweat. 

 

Bring those things to the forefront of your mind. And then, breathe them out. Breathe out those worries, those pains/anxieties/hurts/anger. That heartache. Let myself feel the heartache. And then breathe it out. Let it out and imagine, my heartache, turning into black smoke as I breathe it out. Black smoke that blends with the surrounding air and disappears into nothing.

 

As I listened to the nun's voice, with eyes closed, I became acutely aware of that heartache I had for the man I love that stopped loving me. Lungfulls of heartache poured from my heart like a bubbling brooke, to be breathed out in long breaths, my lung capacity barely enough to exhale all the ache. As tears attempted to prick my eyes, my breathing became more forceful. Black smoke out to disappear into the universe, to become nothing.

 

Then, onto our inhalations. Imagine breathing in pure white light. White light with filaments goodness like peace and healing and forgiveness and love, like so many good sprinkles on a spiritual cupcake.

 

I succumbed to the pain of black smoke and filled my lungs with white light. I couldn't fathom being so hurt for so long by someone who didn't even love me. But who was I to question. I just needed to confront my hurt and move on.

 

I didn't find the exuberant joy of the Buddhists. But I'm guessing it took them some practice to find such unfettered happiness through love.

 

 

 

Meditation also held each Tuesday lunchtime at Fed Square

Continuing on the theme thus far this year, of finding distraction and positive fun in my everyday, I must share my own personal chuffed-ness at these little blenders. The dark side of me thought them particularly humourous and I'm sure I'll be reaching for one of these the next flight I'm on where I'm lulled to sleep to the sound of screaming babies. Oh come on, I'm not the only one who thinks it! Can QANTAS please offer these to passengers with every ticket purchase, instead of earphones? Cos those earphones, they just don't cut it..

the baby bullet - yes please!

This particular beauty is displayed in my local Lush store window! Needless to say, I know it's me, but lets allow my reputation to remain a secret. Sssh!

i'd like to thank the academy..

Summer day!

Another day blessed with the perfect climate!

I slept-in a little, relishing being alone in my king sized 1000TC egyptian cotton bed, to stretch my toes and fingers out, all the pillows to hug and lie amongst. Fears of a hangover were smoothly discarded as I leapt out of bed and onto the nearest beach! Port Melbourne here I come!

last night's cocktail haze but no hangover thanks to pacing myself! yeay me :D

Beach volleyball games were happening along the beach, drawing a buzzing crowd from the boardwalk. As I do always like to be in amongst it, I pulled up a towel on the sea side of the nets and set about fulfilling my resolution to be gainfully tanned, alternately reading and relaxing to the sounds of grunts and cheers of nearby games.

volleyball games on port melbourne beach

Too soon, my peace was disturbed by the two body builders and a Barbie-doll setting up towels beside mine. While the couple embraced, the longer hair guy intruded into my blissful reading to start conversation. I made it hard for him, continuing to read my book in between questions and even tending to text messages while he attempted to converse.

Admittedly he was a very good looking guy - clear olive skin, dark hair and clear blue/green eyes. His sculpted body modestly dressed in a pair of shorts. He knew he was hot. But I knew he was young. So I decided to play with him. The poor boy desperately wanted my phone number but I was just not going to give it to him. Not with 206 unanswered (and counting) messages in my Plenty of Fish inbox. At last he gave me his number and asked me out for a drink. I said I don't drink alcohol which I actually kept a straight face stating. And in my own time, I left the beach for home.

He was 27 years old. I recognised the desperate puppy dog look on his face. The unfathomable degree of longing for someone. 

Although I flirted with and teased him, I was kind.
Although he amused me, I left the beach alone.

Sometimes, no matter how much joy I recognise and bring into my life, no matter how many distractions I pursue, I feel despondent and weary.

My skin at least, looks goooood.

the tan coming along just fine!

 

Di Bella

A happy little blast from my past today!
Today I met up with Bella!

happy girls!

Bells and I used to work together, what now seems like a life time ago. We shared an office space, complete with a second-story view onto Smith St, Internet-accessible computers, phone and miles and miles of files!
We would sit at our computers, alternately working and perusing the Internet for places we'd rather be (and there were so many). Each day, the other poor zombie-drones would venture over to the table in our office, to engage in socialising over lunch for a spare few minutes, then a phone would ring, a manager would fly in, an urgent request would land upon one-or-others lap and the soporific rapport would be shattered. Our stomachs would seize over our dinner leftovers and like sitting ducks we'd breathe thanks to the almighty for allowing the rest us a few more precious minutes of peace.

Suffice to say, Bells and I didn't exactly have the opportunity to relate in relaxed unbiased surrounds but here we now were, making our way to the Queen Vic Markets to share a happy morning picking over shiny cherries, plump apricots and vibrant greens. To cheer my spirit, I bought up on bunches of roses to arrange at home.

the beautiful roses of queen victoria market - a bargain at $8.50/bunch

For breakfast, we strolled to a darling North Melbourne cafe called Di Bella. A popular little venture set in a peaceful street with the quiet hum of Sunday breakfasters. Outside, a few tables upon the street, inside a humming warren of tables and efficient kitchen.

Inside DiBella cafe in North Melbourne

A short two minute wait, our table was ready, set in a sunny courtyard, overlooking a quiet pedestrian lane way. To one side, the kitchen prep area, screened off by a very domestic screen sliding door which allowed for privacy as well as viewing, if one chose to watch food being prepped - kilograms of fresh mushrooms being expertly sliced, cured ham being sliced off the bone as required for the more hearty breakfasters. Yum!

In the display case, the pastries all looked homemade. We ordered our coffees with a croissant and a muffin and we were proved right.

just a small selection of the gorgeous homemade treats available at DiBella!

The croissant light flaky pastry was a crispy delight on the outside and a haven of buttery perfection within. I refused a side serving of jam as it was absolutely perfect as is.
Bella's muffin - blueberry and white chocolate - baked in a rustic baking paper cup held a crispy top and not-too-sweet moist inner, generously dotted with blueberries and chunks of white chocolate.

The perfect accompaniments to our very good coffee.

This may sound like a redundant statement to make in Melbourne, coffee capital of Australia (heck, let's just say The Southern Hemisphere) but so many 'in' places, as i found common throughout Fitzroy, claim to be able to make coffee, then serve a thin gruel with overheated milk and old bitter grinds and a side of bad attitude.

Thank you Di Bella for your humble graciousness amidst warm efficient service and excellent made-to-order food. I will most definitely be back!

Blue skies forever!

Today is beautiful!

Sure I only just woke up and haven't yet had my ritual cup of tall tea (always in a glass, white, no sugar) but it is 27C and yes that makes me happy!!

Not a single cloud to dim the sublime blue. Oh Melbourne, how will I ever stop loving you! You give me culture, a veritable smorgasbord of weather and as I sit here, I'm tapping out these words to you dear readers, to the grooving sound of a DeGraves St busking band, steam train melodies chugging rhythmically into my living room.

the view from my living room - not a single cloud in the sky!

Then, wonder of wonders, with my window open only the teensiest crack, a little bird hopped on the sill, tweeted his arrival (as in bird language, not constipated internal online monologue) and flew straight on in! She had a few happy swoops around the 16ft ceilings then out the now-open balcony door and not away, no dears, she sat on the balcony railing squawking her victory to all the other birds! (I'm pretty sure that in the minute she was here she gave my humble abode a much better once over than I've ever done in all the years I've lived here!)

peace and love from the buddha in my balcony garden

Now. Back to me :)
An imported pernik for breakfast (thank you mamicka!). The first time I met a pernik was during the eternal dusk of a European winter. I was traipsing home, across a bridge in Sala (Slovakia) in 1984, the year of the LA Olympics. Not that I knew, I'd ventured behind the Iron Curtain. We didn't even have McDonalds let alone know the state of the world. But I had the pernik and I was happy. Fast forward today and nothing has changed. Still love the moist spicy cakey sponge encased in smooth chocolate with just a hint of plum jam spread in between.

perniks (left) and tea in a glass (right)

It's going to be a great day!! How could it not be!? It already is!


P.S. why is this blog titled January Chin Chin!? Cos dear darlings, I am heading there for dinner this very eve with my friend from the US. Don't worry, i will let you know all about the delectable delights that await. Don't wait up!

P.P.S. oh I am mortified! I could just change the title of this post but no, I'll just fess up.. Yes, I did go to Chin Chin and yes, it was fabulous! And embarrassing! I ate everything before I even thought to photograph!

So to begin the evening, a vodka martini in Chin Chin's sultry downstairs GoGo Bar reminiscent of 1920s glamour with plush velvet booths and intimate tables for two.
While we sipped and relaxed in smooth surrounds, the welcome text message arrived, inviting us upstairs to our awaiting table.

US man at the GoGo Bar.. I'm sure his sentiments were scrawled upon the wall behind him LOL

The queue gathering at the door was now being informed of a two and a half hour wait but no one turned away. Upon asking, our sweetly tattooed waitress informed that as usual it would be an extraordinary 800+ head night. Yet she and all the staff remained upbeat, unhurried and attentive.
Our food, from ordering to arrival was a scant few minutes and everything, every morsel of every dish, was a generous serving party in my mouth!

Handmade pork and crab cakes with a divine sweet citrusy chilli paste to smear atop and fresh washed lettuce to encase the babycake within. Little pork DIY wraps reminiscent of peking duck, that was at once perfectly crispy and melt in your mouth tender. Chin Chin handmade crepes wrapped with fragrant aromatic herbs and a zesty sweet chilli sauce. I was in heaven!

But wait, there was more. Short beef ribs where the marinated meat did literally fall of the bone as my knees buckled at the heavenly taste. And sticky pork belly that I could have eaten forever and ever - perfectly crisped skin with perfectly soft flesh, like a lovers inner thigh..
Sadly by the mains' arrivals I had peaked too early and could not stuff in as much as I'd have liked. But without regret because those starters were in no way inferior in quality, just a smaller size.

Two starters, two mains and a bottle of wine amongst the happy hum of satisfied diners and friendly staff..

What more can I say? The perfect end to a perfect day.

 

Projects..

She was a little scorcher today, wasn't she!!? Hot heat radiating off buildings and a slap your face hot dry wind providing no relief.

dockland boats in berth

Okay I exaggerate, the wind did dry the embarrassing sweat line down the bum crack of my shorts. And I did get another little go at accentuating my tan.

Which leads me to today's topic.

Many moons ago when I was first divorced (amicably, and we are still friends, just so you know) to keep myself focused on short term goals, I decided upon establishing seasonal projects for myself.

The first summer was 'red wine and cigars'. I developed a love for the heavy red of Tempranillo, the easiness of saying 'cab sav' and chose to ignore my red wine stained teeth. All went well except for the cigar part, where I'd have an overwhelming need to throw up each time I so much as had a puff. Big spend on red wine.. not so much on cigars.. In fact, i think I still have the one I started that summer.

As spring follows winter, so with autumn came 'quit smoking season', coincidentally the same as 'craft season', where I made at least a thousand hand stitched felt animals to keep itchy fingers busy, resplendent with hand stitched facial expressions, button eyes and tiny clothes. Most have left the house with school friends and other visitors, I hope to serve as an inspiration for other people trying to conquer their demons or overcome adversity.

Winter of course brought with it soup making season and cosy soup dinner parties where I'd showcase my latest efforts with crusty bread, red wine and cigarettes. (oops, and back to the felt animals I went.. fast forward, eight revisits and now I can safely securely and confidently say I'm a non-smoker ).

To summer 2013.. to continue my tradition of defining the seasons, and in line with summer, I have officially dedicated this summer (and my new year resolution) to working on my tan.

working on my tan.. it's a tough job but someone has to do it!

In addition, to anyone who has seen me lately, you'll see my hair is starting to streak blonde. Now there's dedication! I haven't had sun streaked hair since I was a child!

Gosh I hope my nose freckles don't come back too!