Friday, February 27, 2009

New friends and music.

I went with a new friend, James, to see some of my favourite bands at the John Curtin bandroom.



I didn't get to take many photos because there were "real" photographers hogging the front of the stage, but these are the best of a bad lot. This is Panel Of Judges, featuring my friend Paul on drums.





People who sit on the floor at gigs annoy me.

Art, chocolate, and chess.

Last week Rach and I went to the NGV at the Ian Potter Centre to see the Rennie Ellis photography exhibition (which has sadly ended, sorry!) and to revisit some old favourites.


Rennie Ellis, Sharpies, Melbourne (1973)

Probably my favourite Australian artist is Frederick McCubbin. I know his painting Lost well as my parents have a print of it on the wall at home (a wedding present from the minister who married them 26 years ago!), and it's wonderful to be able to see the real thing close up.


Frederick McCubbin, Lost (1886)

After we parted, I wandered around the city for a bit. It was a gorgeous day, and quite hot, so I felt very sorry for the people wandering around Federation Square in full tuxedos handing around Cadbury chocolates from silver trays!











When the sun got too much for me, I retreated to the cool of St Paul's Cathedral.





Although I've lived in Melbourne for two years, and have been coming here all my life, to my shame I've never actually been inside. It's quite beautiful and the perfect place to sit and reflect for a while.



These white stones are for people to leave messages on. I wrote a note to the one I love and miss the most. I'm not especially religious but I'm sure that God hears my prayers.

Moving on, I stopped to watch a chess game. I couldn't tell you who won, but it was interesting to see the attitudes of the players and the appreciation of the other people watching.









Liz xx

Monday, February 16, 2009

(Are you) the one that I've been waiting for?

I'm looking for a new housemate, yo.

Wanna live with me and my budgie in our two-bedroom North Fitzroy home?

I'm female, 24, non-smoker, meat-eater. I work full time and study part time.

The house is a semi-detatched single-fronted Victorian in a quiet side street not far from Nicholson St. The closest station is Merri (on the Epping line), and it's walking distance to the 250, 251 and 508 buses, and the 112 and 96 trams. Not far either from Merri Creek - lovely!

There's a little bit of garden out the front, and a typical inner-city courtyard out the back.

I'd like to live with someone around the same age, who works and is good with rent and bills and housework and things like that. I'm not a wowser, but I start work at 6am most days, so I don't really want to live with someone who likes to have wild parties every night.

As I mentioned, I have a budgie (that's a little bird), so cats are a no-no.

Rent is $758.50 per calendar month, and bond is $758.50.

The room is available from 25 February.

If you're interested, or know someone who's looking for a room, email me on elizabethlclark(at)hotmail.com.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

...and the winner is...

drumroll..

Comment number nine, from Pip!

Actually, because Pip is a buddy of mine, and in the interests of fairness, I chose two winners - the other winner is comment number 14, from Jesska. Both Pip and Jesska should email me at elizabethlclark(at)hotmail.com, with their addresses and their choice of print.

Hurrah!

By the way, I went with Green Umbrella and Red Umbrella, as a matched pair. Pa loved them!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Competition reminder..

Don't forget that the photo competition closes on Saturday! Leave a comment in the post for your chance to win.

Also... I'm looking for a new housemate to share my two-bedroom home in Fitzroy. If anyone is looking for a place, or knows of someone who is, email me at elizabethlclark(at)hotmail.com. The room is available from 25 February.

xx

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Celsius 46.4

Just a quick note to say that I hope you all survived the heat yesterday! I was at my parents' house in the country and it "only" got up to 44.1, but I really feel for all the Melbournites who sweltered and melted through the hottest day on record!

Thanks to everyone who has entered the competition so far - it looks like it'll be a close race! Don't forget to enter, if you haven't already, and spread the word - I want everyone to have a chance to win.

Back to the big smoke and the real world tonight. I must admit I'm looking forward to settling back into the daily grind!

I hope you've all had a lovely weekend!

Liz xox

Friday, February 6, 2009

Poetry


Whilst walking through town today I saw a beautiful girl.
She was sitting across the road from where I was, cradling in her hands a white dove. She was holding it close to her face with such a precious attitude, it was an intimate moment to see.

The bird had an intriguing crest on its head with green and brown feathers. She brought it up to her face and bit its head off and I realised it was a souvlaki.



Courtesy of my friend Lisa, who sees poetry in things that others would not.

xox E.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Help!

I need your help!

It's my grandfather's 80th birthday soon, and I would like to give him a print of one of my photos from my trip. I'm really proud of the pictures that I've been taking, and I'd love for my artwork to grace his wall!

I've narrowed it down to a few, and I was wondering if you could help me choose one (or maybe two) that I could print and frame for my beloved Pa.

And, as an added incentive, I'll be choosing a comment at random, and this person will receive a print of their choice. What are you waiting for - get commenting!

Here are the contenders:


Green Umbrella, Lucca.


Red Umbrella, Lucca.


Sonia, Lucca.


Tricolour, Prato.


Blue Light, Siena.


Nuovo, Ferrara.


Campo, Siena.

Of course, if there's another photo you've seen on my blog that you like, feel free to choose that one!

The deadline is Saturday 14 February.

Thanks for all your help, esteemed readers!

xox

Goodies.

I wasn't able to do a great deal of shopping while I was overseas, due to money and suitcase-space restraints, but I was able to pick up some special things that will always remind me of my time in Europe.



The handmade red wool rosette is from a leather shop in Rome. It can be worn as a brooch or in my hair, Marieke Hardy style. The other brooch is hand-carved from olivewood, and is from a small town in Umbria called Orvieto. The man who made it and sold it to me was a grumpy old bugger, telling me that tourism was the worst thing that could have happened to his town. He was quite happy to take my money, though!



I found this asymmetrical blue leather purse in a small boutique in Venice (I can't remember the name of the shop but I know I have a card somewhere!). I love the press-stud closure and the brown and white spotted fabric lining. It vaguely reminds me of something Cate of Polka Dot Rabbit would make!



These shoes were bought in a hurry in the London January sales to wear to a 21st birthday party in Potter's Bar, but have since got a lot of wear - they're a classic shape, they're shiny, and they go with just about anything. Not bad for £4 from Primark!



Last but not least, the Dior purse... sigh. I love it. It's going to last forever - it's not the kind of thing that's going to go out of fashion. Love.

Home sweet home.

I'm home!!

I landed in Melbourne on Tuesday morning, and I'm spending the rest of the week at my parents' home in the country before (ugh) heading back to work (spew) on Monday (yuck).

I've been spending my days snoozing, gossiping with my mum, devouring books and sipping lemon, lime and bitters on the back verandah - and check out the view!



Now I'm off to check out the op shops - all five of 'em!

xo E