Sculptures By the Sea

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On Friday I went to Access Innovation Media HQ to learn how to caption my own videos. It seemed straightforward enough so I came home with the freeware program and a foot pedal to assist transcribing the video.

At the weekend, Pommygran8 and I went to look at the Sculptures by the Sea between Tamarama and Bondi Beach. I took many stills and some video, so I decided to load the software to caption the footage.

After 2 frustrating hours, I finally managed to get the foot pedal working. Then I started on the software package. It would get so far then ask me to find more files. Then when I did that, it couldn't open them. Many, many hours later, after installing, and uninstalling the program about half a dozen times, suddenly, it worked. I have no idea why. Perhaps it took sympathy for me, or more likely, I scared it with my screaming obscenities at it. Breathing on it didn't work.

So all I have to do now is upload the file to You Tube, which at the moment is undergoing maintenance. (Breathe and relax). So watch this space for my first clip.

Books

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What is it about books? In this day and age of digital images, and computerised information, it is still good to hold a book and read it at leisure.

Yesterday we babysat for our beautiful granddaughter, aged 15 months. She has many toys but her favourites are the books. She loves to be read to and look at the pictures. I hope this augers well for the future.

Today I went to the gym and took a "new" book to read. I actually bought it for $3 in St Vincent De Paul. It was printed in 1991 but appeared unread. Riding the stationary bike does get a little boring and I do enjoy a read, so I combine the two. However, when the exercise was over, I had forgotten to bring a bookmark. I just could not bring myself to fold over the corner of the page. It's amazing how one's upbringing, (I had always been taught to respect books) remains with you throughout your life.

Goldfish

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Today I bought some more plants for the pond, and I couldn't resist buying three more goldfish. If I keep buying them, maybe all the hiding places will be filled and I might see them.

The dreaded green algae is making its appearance unfortunately. Hopefully it won't get as bad as before.

Goldfish

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The three goldfish deemed to visit me today. I filmed the pool this morning trying to get a glimpse of them but to no avail. Then this afternoon, in the heat of the day, they flashed into existence, first one, then two, then the third whom I had given up for lost. Anyone who has bought and actually read Stephen Hawking's book, a Brief History of Time will be familiar with the concept of matter spontaneously coming into existence. For those who don't believe it should study my fishpond.



This weekend is the long weekend so I have been informed. Being retired, every weekend is a long one. Also clocks go forward on Sunday. A big job ahead for me. I have to take the engine out of the Austin in order to change the gearbox. The synchro on 3rd gear does not function so it has to come out. Luckily I have spares, several in fact. Finding one that works is another thing. Wish me luck.
More later.

Goldfish

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I hurried down today to see if the fish had survived. I could not find them. The pond appeared empty. I looked everywhere, even lifted out the bridge mad from a brick to see if they were hiding. Not a thing. Just as I was wondering whether the Kookaburra which occasionally takes a bath in the pond was to blame a streak of gold flashed across the pond. Wow, they are fast. I still have not worked out where they hide but I have seen two of the three now. Just awaiting for the third to appear.

It still looks like an empty pond but they are there....somewhere, perhaps in another dimension? With the dolphins?

Goldfish

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We have a little fish pond on the back patio. When we moved in last year I fed the fish regularly, there were five of them. Gradually over a period of time they turned belly up and the fish pond turned green with algae.

Last week, I decided to clean out the pond and remove the algal bloom. There was so much of it. I realise now that I had overfed the fish causing the overgrowth of the algae and used water from the tap to top up the pool. I refilled the pond and put water conditioner in it. It seems Sydney Water straight out of the tap is toxic to goldfish!

Today Pommygran8 and I bought three goldfish to put in the pond and also some plants. I am in sole charge. So far so good. They are still moving! Feeding them 3-4 flakes of food every 2 or 3 days seems to be the order of the day. At that rate they shouldn't outgrow the pond.

Time flies

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I can't believe it's a week since I last blogged. Time seems to go so fast these days. I noticed this a couple of days ago with my coffee card, you know the type, get a free coffee after so many. It is almost full. I seem to be measuring my days in coffee stamps. I mentioned this whilst supping my soy latte to Pommygran8 who surprised me with a quote from T. S. Eliot's The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock:

"Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;"

So some else has noticed it too.

Pommygran8 can still surprise me with her hidden depths.



Saxophone lesson later today. I was give a piece last week to improvise, Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock. My efforts so far have been less than spectacular. My fingers do not seem to have any connection with my brain. I feel my progress this week is very much underdone. I have time this morning to practise some more though. I found this on You-Tube, the tenor saxophone solo is what I would like to be able to do.

Liberty Swing

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I just read in the Wentworth Courier that Variety has unveiled a second Liberty Swing in the Eastern Suburbs at Bronte Park. For those who have not seen one it's a good opportunity to have a look at one.

Sunday Pommygran8 and I took the Bash Car to Rouse Hill for the Rouse Hill Family Fair. Unfortunately the weather was atrocious and so the number of people who attended was down a lot. This was a great shame because everyone had gone to a lot of trouble to make the day an enjoyable one. Still we managed a photo when the rain eased off for an hour or so.

Saxophone practice

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Yesterday afternoon I had a saxophone lesson. I have been having them every week for a few months. I had been getting a bit despondent as I did not see much improvement. I felt I was making the same mistakes all the time. I told the tutor this and he said that I was wrong. I may have been having some problems, but the exercises have been increasing in difficulty and it is only by challenging that improvement will occur. To emphasise this, he gave me 4 times as many exercises to do for next week. Should have kept my mouth closed. I must say I felt elated after that and couldn't wait to get stuck in.




More photos of the Bash. Our Trophy presentation.

Gym Day

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I go to the gym 3 mornings a week and burn off a few calories on the bike and cross trainer. I used to take the ipod and listen to music but I got bored with that so now I take a book to read. The gym is usually quiet but sometimes, like today, I am distracted as when 2 women get on the machines together and talk, usually non-stop. I have learnt to tune out but it can be annoying. I am amazed how they can manage this as usually the sweat is pouring off me and my heart rate and respiration rate are elevated. It is unusual for this to happen with men, they just nod and smile and get on with the exercise.

One of my favourite people on the Bash is Super Hubert (his real name!). He entertains children in schools on the way and never refuses to perform in impromptu stuations. No matter how many times I have seen his act, I am always entertained and his rapport with the children is excellent.

Here is a clip of part of one of his many performances on the recent Bash.

The K9-K9 (Can-Can)

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Well, here it is, the Bash Idol prize-winning performance at The Da Vinci Club, Wangaratta. First clip is the rehearsal, (there was only one), and then the performance. Thanks to the ladies of car 656, (last year's outright winners and joint Bash Idol Winners with K9) for the makeup and the video. It was perfect for the occasion.

Soap

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In the shower today I noticed the soap had reached its carbon footprint critical point in size, ie it took longer to work up a lather hence longer shower, hence use more hot water. But what does one do with the remnants? Throw them away or let them soften in a small amount of water and squeeze them together to make a larger, multicoloured bar?

They don't make soap like they used to. I remember as a child in England (many years ago), a bar of soap used to last a lot longer. We used to bathe every Friday night whether we needed it or not.

We do take a lot for granted nowadays. I can remember as a child, before bath time we turned the immersion heater on to heat the water. I used to have to feel the water tank to see when there was enough hot water for the bath and then turn it off thus saving electricity. These days we have tanks full of hot water for instant use. But at what cost to the environment?

Knitting

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So I had to post that picture with the Dr Who scarf in it. Pommygran8 found a special ball of wool in our usual Department Store, (read Charity Shop) and gave it to me. "So knit me something", she says. I think the fact I have retired and have "nothing" to do is getting to her, especially now, when she has to get everything regarding her business ready for the accountant.

Most people I meet ask what I do with my time now I have retired.

I now have time to pursue all my hobbies. In fact, I don't have time to pursue all of them. Too many. I will eventually get round to them.

Last year on the Bash, we led the parade as we were winners the previous year. Here is a link to some photos of that trip courtesy Zoom Productions.

More photos

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Slowly the photos are coming in. Here is one as we were preparing for a coffee stop. Our theme for the day was Dr Who. And yes, I knitted the scarf myself.


This winter for me has been cold. It may be that the house is a cold one but there have been times I have been sitting watching TV with my coat and scarf on with the heater going too. I am looking forward to the warmer weather.

On Saturday I am taking the car to the St Marys Street Parade with more Bash cars. So today I have to replace the siren as it seems they want a lot of noise. Makes a change I suppose.

The Dark Knight

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Pommygran8 and I went to the movies yesterday and saw "The Dark Knight" at the Imax Cinema in Darling Harbour. What an experience! The film was excellent, acting terrific and Heath Ledger as the Joker was outstanding. The Imax sensation immersed you into the film and I strongly recommend viewing it in this format. Make sure you sit at the back and in the middle for the best view.

A bit of a let down was "the Golden Compass" which we saw on Foxtel last night. Having read the Philip Pullman His Dark Materials trilogy, the film missed the mark for me. The CGIs were excellent but the film lacked the courage of the books.

Final night costume

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Found this photo of our final night costumes on Pommygran8's camera. Aren't they great? Pommygran8 has excelled herself yet again. The theme for the night was fishermen so we stretched it a bit and had the table decorated as the octopus's garden complete with yellow submarine. Long live the Beatles.

Welcome to sunny Australia

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On Day 9 of the Bash, we travelled from the lush green of Victoria, over the Snowy Mountains. Here is a small snippet of the weather we went through. It's a good job we turned the heater on for sure.

Over a period of 14 years, the Bash has enabled me to see a large amount of Australia and what a country of contrasts it is.

K9 in Westfield

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For those who have not met him before, here is a video of K9, the robot dog from Dr Who, after whom the car is named.
Before the Bash, we were collecting lollies from Sticky in Bondi Junction Westfield who had donated several kilos to giveaway en route. I built K9 11 years ago and spent a lot of time rebuilding him this year. Unfortunately we did not have the opportunity to show his many talents. He also takes up a lot of room. Its amazing how children love him though.

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Had an early tutorial session with Sydhappyguy today and managed to set up my You Tube channel. Videos will be on their way real soon.

I found a great quote today from Dr Seuss:-

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

Quite relevant to all us DAGgers don't you think?

I will have to sort the Bash Car out soon. The gearbox is playing up, crunches into 3rd. (It was an expensive gearbox, cost $20.) I am hoping we won't have to remove the engine yet again. Still, it is all experience and I have the time now to do it.

I am taking the car to a couple of events, St Marys Street Parade on the 6th of September and Rouse Hill Family Fair on September 14. K9 the dog may make an appearance. Watch this space.

The Blame Game

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Yesterday I said how I'd gone to the place who had reconditioned the cylinder head of the engine. And in discussions had ascertained the most likely cause of the problems we had.  No-one to blame, sh*t happens. Yet, if I had listened to the advice of many people on the Bash, I'd be suing the pants off them for botching the job. Why is it that there has to be a scapegoat, a need for someone to take the blame for someone else's misfortune? 

This is a photo of one of our coffee stops. As you can see it is pretty messy, (now that's an oxymoron!).  We will have to streamline it for next year. The green object on the tailgate of the ute is our instant hot water supply which works a treat. The water comes out hot enough for a cup of tea. Save a lot of time heating a pan on the camping stoves. Trouble is, after packing all the coffee gear, there is not much room for anything else.