HOT CHOCOLATE

I'm not very picky, it's just that the things I don't like to eat/drink are very "normal". Tomatoes, cheese, butter, milk, coffee, tea, wine, etc. I'm turning a corner though with hot chocolate.

The first time I had a hot chocolate from this particular cafe (Maiala, Mt Glorious) it was served in a mug by a nervous new kid whose shaky hands made a spilled mess of it over the mug and saucer. I didn't care though. The mess made it humble and homey-looking. A mountain of mini-marshmallows, and the thickest, chocolatey-est, frothiest drink.

I went back today for more. It was presented a little bit better this time (although I would have preferred the messy mug for photos :))

So even though hot chocolate is not the most mature drink, I do feel a little a little more grown-up now that when people ask me to go out for coffee, I don't have to order water or juice ;) Next step... coffee! (Yuck!)

25-04-2012

This morning my alarm went off at 3am. I had decided just last night to go to the ANZAC Day dawn service in the city with my new camera, so I did. I got on the train at 3:44, arrived at 4:08, and the service began at 4:28. It was early.

Anzac Square was PACKED. From where I stood all I could see was the BACK of a giant TV screen, which also conveniently blocked my view of the Shrine of Remembrance. So I just listened to the service. After, I tried to go to the Shrine and take photos, but everyone else had the same idea, so I went for a walk to the Botanic Gardens to watch the sunrise (which didn't happen), then back to the Shrine when it was a bit lighter, and then home again.

I recognise this news guy, but I don't know his name.

Starbucks got pretty busy.

The sun peeked out for about a minute, then went back under the blankets.

Brisbane, you're pretty good looking in the morning light... :)

LITTLE MAN

Yesterday I tested my new camera on a pretty cute subject- my nephew Daniel :) Trying to get clear shots of a wiggly little baby is not the easiest, but here are a few favourites. I just love his big blue eyes, round bald head, and chunky baby rolls. He's growing up into a real little boy so quickly!

THEY'RE HERE!!!

I'm a proud new mama to these brand new babies! A Canon 5D Mark II (who I have named Carla) and a 24-70mm f/2.8 (named Siddy).

Yes. I named them. I called the camera a "she" when "she" arrived, so it seemed like the right thing to do. I'm strange. I am aware of that.

Who wants to come play? :)

(A little while ago a friend asked me if I knew "Siddy and Carla". I thought maybe they were a new couple at church or something, but she was actually asking me if I had heard of the band City and Colour.)

I WANT TO SLEEP, BUT MY RIGHT-BRAIN WON'T LET ME

It’s after 10.30pm, and I must admit, I wish I were showering and/or sleeping. I was so looking forward to standing under the rushing water, letting the cares and worries of the day run down the drain for at least five minutes, tumbling into my cute little Ikea bed and letting my pillow and blankets hug me to sleep, the hum of my fan calming my thoughts, and then praying Jesus please give me good dreams.

But, it’s usually these times, when I know I have to wake early in the morning for the gym, work or something else (Courtney arrives on a plane in the morning!) that I can’t sleep. I know I have a nocturnal right-brain, but it’s like it knows when to spring into action, and when it’s really going to annoy me.

In any case, I’m having a massive creative explosion happening up. in. here! And I have to write it down or it will settle on the floor and get swept up like confetti after a party.

I am itching to get my hands on my new camera. It’s so close; I can almost feel it. It’s like I am about to reawaken these gifts and dreams I had a time ago, the ones that hid their shy, sad, frustrated faces when work slowed down, financial needs got bigger, and the old camera started to get sluggish. I feel like my dreams have new life, and I want to run at them with everything inside me.

I want to give more.

I’m still figuring it all out, pen on paper, in my journal. Before I tell on the blog I want it to be solid and doable, but by telling you this much now, I am accountable to see this new adventure through and to finish it. It will get done. And I promise to keep you all updated.

Good night! x