Fotografias

I really should keep busier. I set up a new blog just for photos of the places I've been. That way, this blog won't turn into a photo blog and it won't bore those who don't care to see my happy snaps. Not to mention, it won't take so long for me to load on dial up. Oh, for the good ole days when I had cable...

I haven't gotten around to posting any of the photos from Tasmania yet. I might have mentioned previously that I took over 1,100 photos, so it's going to take me a while to go through them to decide which ones I think are view-worthy. It's already taken me all night just to post what's there now.

Anyway, it's a bit boring at the moment and the layout is a bit mental, because I've been playing with the template. When I have the inclination again, I'll fix it up.

Oh, and um... I have a thing for taking photos of dead wood and sticks (I'm sure there's a deep-seeded psychological reason behind it), so there's a number of those in the yet-to-come Tassie collection. I know...you can hardly wait!

Thoughts on thoughts

I realise I haven't followed up on my last post and why that comment bothered me so much. I guess I'm not ready to yet.

I'm not really sure how to say what I want to say in this post either. There's been so much on my mind lately that I wanted to come here and vent, whine or ramble about, but when it's come down to it, the words haven't come.

I realise my small corner of cyberspace is open to anyone who cares to drop by and read, but it's still my corner and it's still my thoughts, philosophies, rants, or whatever else I may feel inclined to add. It doesn't bother me so much that strangers may drop by, read for a bit, and never come back. It doesn't bother me that there are people who I know have been reading since I set up camp here in cyberspace, and have never commented to me; people I know and people I don't. I appreciate their interest and I appreciate their right to anonymity.

I also appreciate the people who read, who knew me before I started writing here, for their continued support and friendship over the years. I'm grateful also to the people who've stopped by along the way, decided to stay, and have become friends in one way or another.

I don't regret anything I've said here and I respect anyone's right to disagree with any of my points of view, or form opinions of me based on what I've written. However, this is just my corner in cyberspace. It's not wholly me, but parts I've felt the need to vocalise for various reasons. It does not define the whole of who I am and there's plenty of what goes on in my life that gets withheld. Kalliope's Musings is only a chapter. It doesn't tell my whole story.

As much as I thank those who choose to spend some of their day or week catching up with what's going on with me, I still write for me; good, bad, or completely nonsensical.

T read my blog, almost in its entirity, just recently. I didn't know he wanted to, or that he intended to. I understand his motivation behind it and in a way, I'm glad he did. There's a lot of stuff in here about my family that has probably been better explained to him than if I'd have tried to talk about it - I have longer to make my thoughts clearer in this medium.

As much as he misinterpretted a number of other things I wrote, and things got a little complicated and difficult for a while, it has shown me that the reader's interpretation of tone and actual content, as well as their individual background, can make a big difference in the way that the written word is received. No, it's not rocket science; I knew this before. However, it still surprised me that someone who knows me could read what I'd said and have such a different take on it than how I'd intended. I was surprised, too, that my tone and the message I may have been trying to get across, weren't received that way at all. My only annoyance probably, would be that he formed opinions and assumptions that were incorrect and I had to spend time verifying and justifying certain situations; some that I'd completely forgotten about. Asking before assuming would have been the better option, but it's ok. I understand his motivation and I honestly don't blame him or hold it against him.

It doesn't bother me to the degree it may once have. Moreso, the geeky side of me wonders what percentage of people get what I've written the way I wrote it, and what percentage have a completely different perception altogether. It's not something you could ever quantify, I think, except through reader feedback. Even then it woudn't be accurate, because those who do become regular readers are more likely to be mostly those who do get the tone or the message as it was intended.

What does bother me somewhat though, is that I haven't felt as able to post as freely as I'd like. That's not T's fault at all. In fact, I'm still trying to determine what it is that's bothering me. I'd like to think I can still post everything that's in my head, even if it's to do with us and even if it sucks. But when you're going through a difficult time with someone, and you have one avenue to be able to express your frustration, or simply collect your thoughts, is it possible to do that when that person is able to read those thoughts?

Really, I'd like to hope so. I'd like to have the faith that whatever I say is taken based on the context of my feelings/thoughts/emotions/wants/needs at that time and understand that it's not an indication of my overall point of view of the situation/relationship as a whole. I'd like to have the faith that the foundation of what we have, and the things that are positive and good within what we have, are enough that we're able to ride out the more complicated moments. I believe that to be the case, but time is the only thing that'll determine whether I'm right or not.

As much as it frustrates me that I've allowed myself to feel like I am less able to be vocal here in certain respects (yes, I'm self aware enough to know it's my issue and T is not at fault), it's shown me that we're capable of fumbling our way through the crap till we reach the other side, and that's a positive thing.

Of course, there've been times when he's made me want to stab myself in the eye and I know my stubborn self has caused him some sleepless nights. But I think Sandy's phrase 'relationship growing pains' sums it up pretty well. We're growing and we're learning and we've had some awesome fun along the way so far. He makes me laugh in a way I haven't in a long time and he's allowed me to be my total dorky, nerdy self. For some strange reason, he likes that I'm kinda nuts (although if he does choose to come back and read this, I'll be in trouble for calling myself nuts). He's also the first person to ever actively and openly encourage me to do the one thing I always wanted to do...and I'm working on it.

What surprises me is the realisation that the stranger I lived with was not encouraging at all when it came to who I was and what I wanted to be/do. I don't know how I never noticed that before. It's very apparent now though, and makes me appreciate T, and all his efforts, all the more.

So, do I feel like I've been silenced now that T has read/may read here? Yeah, a little, but I'll get over it. Besides, if I didn't keep writing here, it'd all stay in my head and that really wouldn't be a good thing for anyone!

Speechless

"It seems you are deeply shocked whatever happened in your childhood. Try to forget all."

That was written by someone else, to someone else and I can't post the situation that prompted the response. It's the one of the most dumb-arse, stupid, lame pieces of advice I've heard in a long time.

If I wasn't so pissed off at the naivety of it, I'd probably be able to find the words to explain why I'm so pissed off. Maybe I will tomorrow.

Stating the obvious?

Part of a survey I just completed...
Surely the general population can't be that stupid/confused? Can they?

Life ponderances...

There's a time that you can share, that you can hold hands and be on the same path...but there's always a fork in the road...at some point...and sometimes you have to go on one part of the fork and they got to go on the other part of the fork...or just down the back part of the fork while you go forward, and they're like...or they got a salad fork and you have one of the big dinner forks and you have longer to go and they're like done...because that's it...they're stuck on a piece of food...or a dessert fork…or like one of those, you know, small little shrimp forks and crab forks and you're trying to get out a crab...they're like that and your over here jumping to the huge serving fork or something like that...or a ladle, you know...

Those are just things you've done, not who you are. People make mistakes, you know. Who you are is just fine. More than fine.

No human adult is happy. They know that they only have so long to believe that life is just dandy before something horrible happens... Life equals loss. The whole point of the game is to minimize the pain caused by that equation.
From the movie, 28 Days.

Yep, that's just the way it is sometimes.

T and I eat with different forks and we eat completely different food, but we're sitting at the same table, the conversation is good, and we haven't stabbed each other in the eye yet. Things are good.

Next dinner date - Feb 24, in Adelaide.

Ack! Stupid geek chick!

So my computer was being stupid last night and in attempting to fix the damn thing, it seems I've busted something, or removed something I shouldn't have. No graphics (images, photos etc), and some types of buttons, are showing in browser windows. I'm just getting text or place holders where they're supposed to be. I need ideas. Anyone have a clue? Somewhere to start? TIA!

Methinks it's just karma...

Giant jellyfish stymie Japanese fishermen

A slimy jellyfish weighing as much as a sumo wrestler has Japan's fishing industry in the grip of its poisonous tentacles.

Vast numbers of echizen kurage, or nomura's jellyfish, have appeared around Japan's coast since July.

They are clogging and ripping fishing nets and forcing fishermen to spend hours hacking them apart in order to retrieve their catches.

Representatives of fishing communities around the country have gathered in Tokyo, hoping to thrash out solutions to a pest that has spread from the Japan Sea to the Pacific coast.

"It's a terrible problem. They're like aliens," Noriyuki Kani of the Fisheries Federation in Toyama, north-west of Tokyo, said. Read the rest here.

Personally, I think the best part of the article is a little further down, where the Japanese want to investigate if the jellyfish are coming from South Korea or China - like it's some sort of conspiracy. Yeah, I could see that happening. Trained giant jellyfish...

They're on the right track though. Really, it was us who sent in the jellyfish in. If they'd just get their whaling 'research' boats out of the Southern Ocean conservation areas, we'd call off the jellyfish.....

This should come as no surprise

You Are A: Kitten!

Cute as can be, kittens are playful, mischevious, and ever-curious. Kittens are often loving, but are known to scratch or bite when annoyed. These adorable animals are the most popular pets in the United States--37% of American households have at least one cat. Whether it is your gentle purr or your disarming appearance, you make a wonderful kitten.

You were almost a: Duck or a Bear Cub
You are least like a: Groundhog or a TurtleWhat Cute Animal Are You?

I just gotta say I'm glad I'm the least like a groundhog!

Nothingness... upsized

That's what's inside my head at the moment. Nothing. So much to blog about, but the wiring from my brain to my fingers must be busted, because nothing's coming out. Hardly surprising since I'm back at work and dreading the thought of the next two weeks with teachers and students returning, and the crazy-making that causes.

...Or maybe it's simply because it's almost lunch time and I haven't taken my happy pills yet.

I'd like to rant, though. It's a rant that's been building for some time. Well, more like an irritant. It seems a certain petrol station chain has decided to take upon themselves their own version of McD's upsizing.

Example 1. I bought some milk the other night, on the way home from work, and was contemplating buying a bag of sweets as well.

Petrol dude: You know, you can buy two bags of [other brand] for $4.
Me: I know. I don't like other brand.
Petrol dude: How about two packets of Mentos for $3?
Me: No! I'm fine thanks.
Petrol dude: Petrol?
Me: No. Just the milk.

Example 2. I went to pay for my petrol on the way to work.

Petrol chick: Just the petrol?
Me: Yes thanks.
Petrol chick: How about a Mars bar and a Snickers for $4? Or maybe some Mentos?
Me: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrgggh!

Ok, so I didn't scream. I wanted to. I just said no, instead.

T says I'm a tad antisocial at the best of times anyway. I'm not really. I just don't like people. Ha! You know I'm joking. Honest. I like people when I am in the mood to do so and I just find it insincere to smile at every stranger and there are times when I just don't wanna be peachy with the world. Especially first thing in the morning, when I don't want to be awake and going to work.

Anyway, I'm now wondering if this on-selling is going to come up in court at some stage. I'm sure some guy is gonna find a lawyer who gets him off a road rage charge by pleading that it really was the petrol company's fault that his client beat up another driver who didn't use his indicator, because his client was on a severe sugar-induced buzz from the two packets of Mentos, the Mars bar and the Snickers he was forced to buy.

Identity crisis?

I've forgotten my age on at least one occasion I can remember, and sometimes I don't know what day it is. But I didn't think my email would forget who it was. I sent two emails to myself today - from my ya-who account to the same ya-who account. One went to the inbox and one went to the bulk mail folder.

Is my email paranoid? Unsure of itself? Is it getting old and forgetful? Did it think, "Well, the name looks familiar, but I can't remember why, so I better accept one email and reject one, just to be sure"?

Stupid ya-who. Maybe it was feeling rejected because it goes unused these days, and decided to mess with me.

Tasmania in images

Just a few (well a few more than a few) pictures from our trip to Tassie.
I think this beach is called Spiky Beach. It's near Spikey Bridge, so that's what I'm calling it.














Looking out to Wineglass Bay from the Cape Tourville lighthouse.














A Wallaby beside the carpark at Friendly Beaches (which aren't friendly at all, because you can't swim there.)














Just call me the Wallaby Whisperer. I talked to him and he sat up and listened.














Yep, this is a sign in Bicheno, warning that penguins cross the highway and to watch out for them.














Jetty at St Helens.














Methinks the person who designed this sign didn't really think about what it would look like when it was done.......or maybe they did.














Peron Dunes near St Helens



















They're very tall, very impressive and a bugger to climb back up once you get to the bottom.














This was our accommodation in Launceston. It's a new hotel, converted from a convent. We stayed on the third floor (of course, because we arrived late at night, tired, hungry and with bloody heavy luggage....). I sorta hoped it was haunted, but it wasn't.















A lavender farm where it seems I may have picked up some sort of major allergy that caused my eye to look a bit like a cyborg for a few hours. It was rather disconcerting and warranted a rush visit to a doctor. The cyborg look doesn't suit me. Really.














This is Cradle Mountain from the top of Mt something-or-other next to it, which I was brave enough to climb. Several mountain goats stopped me on the way up and tried to tell me I was nuts, but I perservered. The pics don't do it justice. The video is better. I just haven't worked out how to get it on here yet.














Cradle Mountain and Mt something-or-other from Dove Lake, at the bottom.














This little guy is an Echidna, which is a native Australian mammal. It's also a monotreme, which means it lays eggs. The echidna and the platypus are the only mammals that are monotremes. Who ever knew reading my blog could be so educational? It's not the best photo because he was trying to hide. Click the pic to enlarge it and you should be able to see him watching me with his little beady eyes. Again, the video is much better.














This is Ocean Beach near Strahan. The dirty, stained colour of the water is from the tannins (plant derived metal ion chelators, for those who care to know) that leach from nearby Tea Trees.














Quite odd to see sea water this colour.



















Port Arthur historical prison site. Very old. Very haunted. We didn't see anything when we were there, but we did get bad feelings from one particular building. Check out this photo. Gimme your opinion on what you think the white shadow in the bottom left hand corner is... ?














Devil's Kitchen at Eaglehawk Neck.



















Looking out across the Southern Ocean from Remarkable Cave, Port Arthur.



















Tessellated Pavement, a naturally occurring rock formation, at Eaglehawk Neck.














From the top of Mt Wellington in Hobart. Despite T's driving skills and my confidence in him, I was convinced we were going to go over the edge of the cliff on the drive to the top. Thankfully, I was less sure of our impending death on the way down. And yes, that's clouds you can see below where I'm standing. The person who decided it was a good idea to make the top of that mountain a tourist attraction was just sick! If I'd have known about the drive up before we actually started to drive up, I would have hidden under the seat.














This is the bridge into a town called Ross. It was built by convicts and the stone engravings were done by two convicts who were given their freedom in return for the amazing work they did on this bridge. And I'm relying purely on the fact that I have a good memory when I relate that. I think that's the story anyway.














Opium poppy fields. They're everywhere. Nothing much is stopping anyone parking by the roadside and pickin' a few flowers for the dinner table.














Execpt these big ole scary signs every now and then.














Bales of hay. Just because the shot came out alright. I'm sure T's photos will come out much better though.














The following few pics are from a little town called Penguin. 'Nuff said.








































































This is a little disconcerting.















The beach at Penguin.















This is a sign next to a barge crossing at the Pieman River. To get from one end of a particular route down Tasmania's west coast, you have to take this barge. Methinks the person who put this sign together had a good sense of humour.



















The surf beach at Marrawah, which is almost Tasmania's most western point. The surf here was some of the biggest I've seen and there were guys, er crazy folk, out there surfing in it.





























This little Wallaby was obviously on the payroll at Lake St Clair National Park. He was just sitting in the carpark posing for photos for tourists.














Lake St Clair. Pity it was overcast that day.














Lake Bunbury, just east of Queenstown, on the edge of the World Heritage listed wilderness. The clouds were amazing, so we had to do the tourist thing and go out on the bridge and take photos...and set off a trend for other tourist folk to do the same. Funny how the guy with the tripod always attracts attention from other click-happy people.














Since you've had visual overload and I'm sure you're bored, I won't waffle on. Wanna know anything else? Ask me in a comment and I'll respond in another post.

It's good to be home...well sorta... Not so good to be a few thousand kms away from T again...

Here I am!

Just a quick drop-in to let the cyber world know we're back in Melbourne. T's company changed their plans again and decided he didn't need to go home early after all, so we extended our trip for 4 days.

T took about 17 rolls of film while we were away and I took about 1,000 digital photos and short video. We covered the entire island of Tasmania and did about 4,000kms in the car. Had some fun adventures and some not so fun ones (like the night we were 60kms away from the closest town with roughly 40kms worth of petrol.....ever driven in the dark in a strange place without the engine?!), but in all, it was fantastic.

We're off down the south coast of Victoria for a couple of days (if we can get accommodation) and he goes back to Perth on Sunday night.

Hope everyone had a great New Year. Will update more later and catch up with everyone soon!