Category Archives: Stuff!

Who do I write for?

Who is your Reader?

My blog is not a Dear Diary, however it is my own personal reflection. It’s not my goal to reveal my inner most secrets, but an opportunity to write about what matters to me.

It was as I have posted before a way for me to keep myself honest to my personal challenge of writing a thousand words a month. I have achieved that goal in each and every month whether through this blog, via my articles for The Adelaide Review or in my University assignments.

I write because I enjoy it. It’s both intellectually stimulating and relaxing at the same time, although as I am reviewing and editing a post the relaxation aspect can get lost in my desire to get the grammar right! That’s why I enjoy my personal fifteen minutes and then post challenges, of which this is one.

Also I think My writing has got better. Maybe that’s not surprising because it’s like everything – the more you practice at something the better you get. I’ve even tried to write some fiction which is a long way out of my comfort zone.

I haven’t written my posts to necessarily have them read by lots of people, which is fortunate because they haven’t been. That said, I have been gratified that sometimes my posts get some comment and the occasional like.

So when I answer the question who do I write for its Me!

The Year Truly Begins

As usual my day starts with breakfast taking in some music videos, but this week is different. It’s after Australia Day, schools back (not that this matters to us, our children are well past that) and everyone is back from the beach. The morning traffic indicates the business year has reached its true starting point.

It’s hard for my overseas colleagues to understand, but from mid December until after Australia Day it’s holidays.

The country really does stop. Business shuts with at best skeleton staff on, Restaurants take a few weeks off . Even emails drys up! It’s a time for the beach, watching the cricket, catching up with friends, that’s what this time is all about.

20140128-074036.jpg

20140128-074138.jpg

Across these few weeks it’s easier to find business colleagues at Victor Harbour ( that’s why we prefer Second Valley) our major beach holiday town than it is in Adelaide.

Whilst people tend to return to work after New Year they will take a day off here or there, leave early ( why not its hot and the beach or pool is calling!)) so achieving much beyond that which was on board before Christmas is often difficult.

That’s all different from today. No more excuses, time to get down to it and I’m looking forward to it.

Tour Down Under – Southern Fleurieu

20140124-172340.jpg

20140124-172416.jpg

20140124-172454.jpg

Today’s stage of Australia’s major bike race was in my favourite part of South Australia. It was a glorious day as I set out for a ride to take in the atmosphere. It was also the stage where the public get to ride the stage, so rather than being a lone ride there were thousands of fellow cyclists on the road.

The stage started in the city and then worked its way down to the Southern Fleurieu with the highlight of the stage being the ride across the Myponga Dam Wall

20140125-084913.jpg

20140124-173013.jpg
.

20140124-173141.jpg

I rode to the hill Continue reading

Fifteen Minutes and One Post!

One of the Daily Prompts last year was to spend fifteen minutes on a topic and then publish.

So hear goes…

It’s Monday morning, a work day, and I have my long black over ice and piece of toast and Vegemite for breakfast – hardly the breakfast of champions, but something I enjoy. Mornings are my time. Usually no one else is up and I can put the music channel on and browse the news websites or as I have been doing in recent weeks, browse my WordPress Reader which is so much more relaxing!

I have found so many interesting posts and blogs, my Reader is now being updated with some of the most fabulous content. Initially I was looking for posts on topics I was interested in, but in the last week or so I have been more adventurous and it’s been fun. I visited a cooking site, I never look at cookbooks! have been excited by the energy that so many fellow bloggers have, it’s so refreshing at a time when there is so much negativity around.

Then after my toast and coffee it’s a walk to work reflecting on what I’ve read. So much more enjoyable than being dragged down by the news!

Well that’s fifteen minutes my times up and so It’s time to publish.

Not my best post I am sure, but it does show that I can do it without my usual twenty five plus edits!

Too Hot even for a Beer!

What a contrast between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. The photo of the dog in the snow (from craftingandcupcakery.com) provides such a contrast to the weather in my hometown of Adelaide, South Australia.
20140115-090835.jpg

Adelaide is having one of its hottest ever spells. Temperatures in the 40s everyday so far this week and more to come. Our local newspaper is prone to hyperbole but today’s headline was probably pretty reasonable. Yesterday was an absolute shocker – 45C plus, lightening in the hills, numerous bushfires (thankfully no one was hurt and no significant property damage) but – Oh My! Today was only 43C!

20140115-193700.jpg

Having always lived in Adelaide, hot summers are something I am used too. As kids we didn’t have air conditioning, just a fan and on really hot nights we slept outside on our back lawn. Our days were indispersed with visits to the beach.

Today, Continue reading