This is a very big ball of hose for I imagine a very large garden on private grounds. And it also symbolizes the wrapping up off Sugar Bee. I would like to thank everyone who has joined me on my journey. I have come to the conclusion that I must redirect my energy and say goodbye. While I love writing this blog and are very pleased that I have an audience, it is time I no longer have if I am to follow my dreams. A new direction waits. I shall keep Sugar Bee available on Blogger to view; it shall simply no longer be updated. If anyone out there who has read Sugar Bee at anytime would like to introduce themselves, please do, leave a comment for me, it would be nice to know who you are, all I have to go by is the number of views statistics, and that you are all spread around the world. To be truthful, it breaks my heart a little to finish up Sugar Bee, for knowing I have readers out there is so encouraging and has given me the strength to update everyday, even if not until the last few minutes before bed. Sugar Bee was for you and me both. THANK-YOU for your time, your interest, and your heart, all very much appreciated and good night to you dear readers, good night. xx
SUGARBEE XX 30/06/13
So where is Robot going with those heavy metal shoes and that magnetic smile of his? Why he is leading you directly in the door of his cafe. Robot is almost too perfect a place to eat lunch, that is if you are in the mood for Sushi. Admittedly I have not been for lunch at Robot, it was the sign that caught my eye and successfully commanded my attention for a few minutes in an otherwise busy day. Trust the Japanese to turn the world on with style that begs fun and efficiency. Do you enjoy sushi? I love it when it is served at its premium best, then like any cuisine, it is likely to melt in your mouth. And here is a link to a website that states it is for the
consummate sushi fan, a guide to be best sushi in America, http://www.eatsushi.com/ and since I live in Melbourne, it is appropriate for me to include this link to: http://www.mailintalks.com/2009/02/25/top-5-best-sushi-melbourne/. But lets remember that Sushi is only one Japanese cuisine, here is a guide to more Japanese food: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e620.html and when you are finished with being tempted by all that deliciousness, make yourself a cup of green tea and sit back and watch the following musical wonder piece from one of my favourite movies ever Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OkT5HyumQ4 I wish I could link the whole movie in for you, but that would be naughty and is a little hard to find apparently. Opps I found a link for you, shhh! :) enjoy my friends x http://www.best-animes.tv/nausicaa-of-the-valley-of-the-wind/
SUGARBEE XX 29/06/13
These adorable teapots are ready and waiting for tea and when one is ready it will be served to you with a smile by someone who cares. Be sure to request a biscuit too, perhaps a chocolate biscuit or a milk arrowroot, something to add a little sweet zing to the day. Do you have a favourite tea, English Breakfast or maybe herbal? Perhaps its time to try a new flavour, experience the taste and the effect. For instance, peppermint tea may give you energy and is fantastic for upset tummies while chamomile is bound to chill you out, perfect before bedtime. Here is a guide to herbal teas, http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/nutrition/nutrition+tips/a+guide+to+herbal+teas,13361. I hope it comes in handy or perhaps is an inspiration on a cold slow day when a lift is needed.
SUGARBEE XX 28/06/13
Smile for we wish to do your laundry and not to forget the ironing as well. This sign sits up on a laundromat wall and while I didn't take my laundry in, I did notice the sign and I did smile. Now while I'd certainly take in my ironing, I wouldn't take in my washing while I own or have access to a washing machine for all the tea in China, because I love doing the laundry. I love doing the laundry so much that I volunteer to do other peoples laundry, loading it in the machine, hanging it out, rehanging for maximum drying effect, matching soxs, pegging so minimal peg marks appear in shirts etc, folding dry laundry and putting it all away in the right place, facing the right way. That is my thing, doing the laundry. I love it. People love me doing their laundry. But I don't iron clothes, never do but once in a while if I absolutely must, say an awards evening or a wedding to attend. Because ironing is tedious and fidgety and in today's world of 101 crease free fabrics, it just seems like unnecessary hard work. However a garment steamer is definitely on my wish list for those ironing required moments: http://m.target.com/p/home-touch-perfect-steam-deluxe-steamer-white-gray/-/A-13778236. Maybe one day my dream will come true.
SUGARBEE XX 27/06/13
Let's not get too deep into the tragedy of how an economy end up printing bank notes worth 100 trillion dollars. Personally without understanding economics that deeply, I would tend to draw a big red line across which bank notes were no longer allowed to be valued at, and reuse the already printed notes with somewhat more sensible figures on them. Even one hundred dollars for a loaf of bread seems extreme, but far more stable that 100 trillion dollars. Zimbabwe, a political tragedy and one has to question how humanity lets these political nightmares happen. In my simply sweet and loving mind, while I know the world is not so kind, I ponder how this can happen, how can millions of people in distress be held to ransom at the hands of a few mean and ugly men? Welcome to the way of the world, nothing new in that. So then I thank the gods that I live in a basically stable environment, I take time to think about destruction and do my best to not destruct what I have and am interested to find out though self examination that I destruct in my own little ways without meaning to or knowing that I am until I look at things from different angles. Life is a play that might well be called Ego and Intent and on that rather weighty note, it is time for bed. While I am not a "bad man" perhaps my dreams tonight will be courteous enough to softly show me a few of my not so positive parts of my character, so that during sleep my mind may alter an improve these glitches and I wake up a better person.
SUGARBEE XX 26/06/13
The train is ready to leave on platform 14, please stand back behind the yellow lines, that will do nicely thank-you people. But you see the thing is until I had to catch a train from platform 14, I had no idea that it existed. This has a lot to do with the fact that it is under the main concourse of Flinders Street Station and the trains using platform 14 are not trains that I usually catch. And it would be a stretch of my memory to recall which train I caught from platform 14 and where I went on that train. Logic encourages me to think it was a south-eastern travelling train, and one within the metro serviced area, as opposed to a country train or a V-Line as they are known. So from that I can conclude a day trip was taken and from that I can conclude I am likely to have a photo or two from the day because very really do I not take photos of somewhere or something or someone. But again likely a dead end for I am also not likely to see a photo from this day and link it to Platform 14, although I might and that is what you call a long shot. When a long shot comes off, it is a very nice and satisfying feeling, so it may be worth following a long shot and see what comes of it. Of course it may be easier to toddle down to Flinders Street Station tomorrow or the next day and ask at the help desk "Excuse me, can you please tell me which trains leave from platform 14?" And you know what? I could then come home, find a photo relative to the location and bring up a whole set of memories from the day I went somewhere with someone to do something.
SUGARBEE XX 25/06/13
This is an electrical box for perhaps the phone lines or some such public service. These boxes are a common sight on the streets of Australia and New Zealand. But what makes these boxes unique and wonderful is the individual paint job given each one, making an artistic statement with fun built in. I like the painted boxes, I particularly like Simons one because it is cute and well to me looks happy. Who paints them I am not sure, there will be an application process but do you need an artists's CV or just an idea with half a clue as how to paint? Who supplies the paint? Do you get paid to personalize these boxes? Who owns the boxes? When were they first painted? Again the many questions I have about life around me. And the challenge this time is that with no idea as to what these boxes are called; suddenly Goggle is a bigger world than usual. Nevermind for I now know these boxes are seen in other parts of the world http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMGG0G_Tropical_Birds_on_Telephone_Wires_Calgary_Alberta and that they are called Telephone Utility Boxes. Have you seen them? Do you like them? Do you have a favourite one of all the ones you have seen? Have you ever thought it would be cool to paint one of your own? And if so, why not apply and do one?! To finish off, now I know what they are called, I have found another 3 to share with you: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/5813140993_0451d36039_z.jpg, http://s.wallpaperhere.com/thumbnails/detail/20110628/TelephoneBox2754.JPG, and http://www.myurbangardendecoguide.com/images/6a00d83451b60269e2010535ed0994970b-500wi.jpg.
SUGARBEE XX 24/06/13
This laneway reminds me of a book I have never read, 1001 Arabian nights, although it is a classic and if I ever find a copy I will devour it in a feast of incredible writing from the history of man. This laneway leads somewhere for someone every day and every night. Melbourne is full of laneways just like this but not quite like this. It's hard to explain. I feel it standing at the end and wish to stroll its wide avenue and explore the freedom to move within its size. This laneway is different because I want to dance on it and smile maybe.
SUGARBEE XX 23/06/13
Panela Sugar is all the rage in sweet and chic cafe land, a sugar that is nice and natural, a sugar that tastes clean and goes well with coffee apparently. A 500 gram bottle for $8 isn't bad because if you use just a teaspoon at a time it will last the distance, especially if you are a sensible coffee drinker and it's just one or two coffees a day. But I have to say if you are drinking coffee, it really shouldn't be sweetened with sugar for coffee drinking is an artform in itself, especially in a town like Melbourne. If you don't like the taste, drink tea for goodness sake or find a better barista maybe. So what is all the fuss about Panela then? Let's see what we can find out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K6XKadWWq8 A link all about the process to make Panela, apologies the film is a little wobbly at the start but worth a watch all the same. I believe we should know where our food comes from, maintain an understanding of the relationship between us, our food, and the earth. There is really something quite wrong when a child believes milk comes from the local shop. So if you know any children who believe milk comes from the shop, them show them this link and put an end to that falsehood. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD2hx0uyhMo, excuse the 32 hours calculation at the end of the video :) and then follow it up with: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2LiVPczCr8, and keep in mind the farmer talks in fahrenheit degrees.
SUGARBEE XX 21/06/13
Find her in North Fitzroy, Melbourne, having a cup of tea, quietly minding her own business for a number of years now. She is a bit of a local legend. She has had her cups stolen countless times and replaced just as often by local residents. She showed herself to me on the rare occasion I had to catch a bus somewhere, with about a 15 minute wait, so I introduced myself and she liked me straight away for she comfortably shared secrets of the neighbourhood with me a little. What those secrets are shall remain secret for otherwise I would feel strange as if I had let her down, and that would not be a nice thing to do or feel at any cost. Funny enough we didn't exchange names, I could guess hers is Sarah or Jocelyn for those names seem to suit and I wonder what names she might imagine suit me. We are alike and different, I am always on the move, where as she sits still all day but both of us observe what is going on around us. I document things I see, she thinks alot about the things she sees, but both of us notice details specifically. We both have a thing for wooden furniture too and cups of tea, hers I believe is Chamomile and mine is Oolong for sure. I feel like a found another friend out there, who lives not far away and so if ever things need to be talked about and no one else is there, I know who always will be. On that note I would like to share with you a movie about street art coming alive. Hmmm not 100% sure if I've not linked it before, but it is so wonderful; that I'm sure you won't mind at all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgCP_8wDw68
SUGARBEE XX 20/06/13
What causes a road to wave as such? Is this due to earth movements post road works or perhaps the road works were carried out and completed with a wave in mind? How on earth did the job get sign off? And were there any issues with the line marking? It is all very strange really. And here is another mystery in the photo, what does the thin blue line mean. If I knew this, I could assess the country the photo was taken in by understanding the various road markings and then narrow down where exactly the photo was taken. The triangle alludes to an intersection with Queen Street and another street in Auckland, but that is not a definite. It is all one big mystery and an optimal piece of ground for a skateboarder, pity it is on the road though and not the footpath. If you recognize this place, feel free to let me know where it is, and thanks in advance.
SUGARBEE XX 19/06/13
It was a long time ago now that I took this photo in a place that has seen many changes in design over the last 20 years. Taken outside the Downtown Shopping Centre in central Auckland, at least 10 years ago, hence the quality of the photo, snapped on a phone camera. Yet I think the fuzzy look to this photo adds to the atmosphere of the setting, dousing it in a surreal feel, almost as if you are peeking at a scene in another dimension. Something that they might use on an original Doctor Who TV show. http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/ where I learn that I meant the series with the fourth doctor and that Doctor Who started in 1963, a fair while before I was born. That is like finding out the brand of peanut butter you love the most and always thought was a local product has been a star on supermarket shelves around the world for years before you ever got to taste it. Nevermind, I might have to find time to watch one or two original episodes of Doctor Who just to correct my impressions of the show. Personally it did scare me a little as a child. And on that note while I digress away from the child with pigeons, I am reminded of Count Homogenized, a TV show for kids in NZ, short lived but which definitely sowed seeds in my childhood mind. www.nzonscreen.com/title/it-is-i-count-homogenized-1982. My mind wanders tonight; I shall sign off now and make a nice cup of tea with a sweet chocolate biscuit before I retire for the day, something to relax with before I welcome the dreams.
SUGARBEE XX 17/06/13
Here is a hare, a rather fantastic hare on all accounts. Bright and shiny and seemingly wonderfully together and positive and happy and greatly a big amount of good. Where did I find him? That is a mystery to be found in the archive storerooms of my distant past memory or so it seems as I have no idea where I found him except for the following details: In a shop somewhere in Melbourne and not that long ago, sometime within the past year, maybe or maybe not before I started writing this blog for you my readers and myself. And on that note I stop for a few minutes and ponder my experience creating this blog. It has given me a focus point for about half an hour or more each day, it way to really think about one thing or let it lead into other thoughts. It has given me reason not just to see the details, but to talk about them; it has also allowed me a relationship of greater than average depth with a number of photos I have taken. I have met many people I might not have otherwise and the blog has generally brought me a lot of smiles and maybe that is why I found the Hare, to take his photo because one day he know I would look at him and smile with him one more time.
SUGARBEE XX 16/06/13
Big Black Bird is watching you. Meet Mr. Crow, a large bird with a big beak and a swoop that will scare the pants off you if the swoop is just a fraction to close as it flies by. I love crows; actually I love all birds, regardless of the size. I love tiny birds like the Pygmy Parrot of the Papua Islands as seen here: http://www.birdsofafeather.ca/about-bird-species and what a nice link because it also has shown me other outstanding birds, like the tallest flying bird, a crane of over 6 foot in height. And the Kiwi who hunts at night with a sense of smell having nostrils at the end of its beak. All this bird talk has got me thinking of my nephew Jacob and his love of animals. I took him to the beach one day a long way from home and we sat and watched birds all afternoon. It was a long slow afternoon that taught me a lot about the way people perceive time and how out of balance it is with nature, but also on that day we had a special moment when a growing flock of birds gathered and all at once, they lifted of as one not far from the spot we were standing. Special moments in time I shall always hold dear. I am very proud of my nephew too, I know he will succeed in life and that makes me smile. And Jacob if you read this blog post, know the crow is watching over you and keeping your safe :) x
SUGARBEE XX 15/06/13
Foliage, decorating parts of the world all over, in a variety of ways. Large patches, seemingly whole fields and tiny walls along the way. And if you are interested in foliage, go to this link to learn all about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foilage. What took my breath away was the way the light falls on the subject matter here in the photo, giving a 3D sense about things. It looks alive to me, as if I could just dive deep down underneath and find a whole other world hiding out and doing it's thing. Maybe perspective in the photo goes a long way to give that effect. And I wonder what it would be like to return to this place and take another photo of the same foliage, but on a larger scale, then get the photo printed the size of a wall in my lounge. There would be nothing sitting in front of the wall of foliage, and maybe nothing in the room at all except a large comfortable couch and a very small table to rest a drink upon, while I sat and starred at the wall and got lost in my imagination. The wonderful thing is that I could in the very least print a colour print of the foliage about a metre wide and 2 metres long, bring it home and stick it to a wall in my house easily enough. But then if I was going to go to that much trouble, I would want a fantastic finish and the poster might well end up being very expensive. Hmmm decisions, decisions, and in the mean time I shall sit here a while longer and just spent a little more time looking at my photo of foliage and dreaming.
SUGARBEE XX 14/06/13
So much I don't know about this tower of brick. When was the brick tower built or is it a chimney? I know someone called it Lincoln, but who is Lincoln or what is Lincoln and what on earth do they represent? Another side track makes me think that we have Thomas the Tank Engine in books and on tv for children, why not Lincoln the Brick Furnace? And what would Lincoln the Brick Furnace do in these childhood stories? Teach about old technology; show us lessons from history, or power up the rest of the industry in these books? Back to Lincoln in the photo, is it still in use? And doesn't it still looks clean which is interesting when you consider all that has been burnt inside the structure over time. It tells me things I never pondered on about the properties of brick. I like the red brick they used, and that makes me think about the history of brick and I realize that I assume all brick used to be red, no longer the case, but on that note, let's see what Wikipedia has to say about brick. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brick Quite a useful page really, I now know the oldest bricks in the world date back to 7500 BC in the Middle East and that the colour of various bricks is due to the makeup and high content of iron in pink bricks and lime in yellow bricks. I live in a red brick house at the moment, and a number of months ago I lived in a yellow brick house and now I understand a little more about that. Life is good; just keep learning where you can.
SUGARBEE XX 13/06/13
This little poppet wears wonderful red tights that match the flowers in the garden rows, she like they are growing every day, but she unlike them is inquisitive, and free to run. This photo could be the inspiration for a wonderful novel, a play, the reason someone sad and lonely smiles, the beginning of an adventure, or the answer to a mystery that was written in the stars many moons ago. I confess this is not my child and the photo was an opportunist shot, but one that should bring naught but a smile to those who appreciate the small things in life, to those who see joy in the moments, to those who notice details like colour and the way the light falls upon what we are surrounded by. This child is not my child but like children do all the time, the world over, she is brings a smile to me. In this photo I see hope and potential, learning and fascination, innocence and understanding blossoming. In children I see the future of the world, how we treat the children of the world and how we act as guardians of the earth is ultimately what we inherit in our older years. Protect the future, your future and that of the whole wide world.
SUGARBEE XX 12/06/13
The view up the hill from the corner of my street. And it that doesn't give you a sense of wide open space in a big city, then I'm not sure what might. I see this view every walk home from the tram or the local shop, with or without the dog by my side, sniffing everything and enjoying life. Dear little Gir, I should blog about her one day soon. In the above image there are two tall beams, these are part of the West Gate Bridge, connecting the west of Melbourne with the rest of Melbourne, a very handy structure indeed. There are also plenty of trees in my neighbourhood, which I particularly like, tall and old also. And being the start of winter now, all the leaves have fallen, creating big long piles of leaves along the streets. In these piles of leaves, I kick my feet up and kick the leaves around as I walk through them to wherever I am going at the time. It's funny how I how I do that, as I also like to walk on small rises, in very straight lines, along painted lines at the crossing etc, a hangover from my childhood, when Poppa would walk me home from school and patiently walk with me while age 6 or so, I climbed up and walked on any ridge or fence or wall I could. Funny I remember doing this all the time, childhood memories are a special thing, for possibly I walked on walls with Poppa a couple of times, but it feels like for ever and that I am happy to live with.
SUGARBEE XX 11/06/13
Out for a stroll one day, I past this garden, and here the photo only shows a small half of the of the full size. These bins are home to growing vegetables in a local school yard. I think that is fabulous on so many levels. All schools should have vegetables gardens. All children should know about plants, about how good food grows, and have access to fresh vegetables at lunch time. Every child the world over. The greater percentage of a lunch should be fresh and locally grown, not processed and plastic packed. And if the kids take part in the gardening, there is pride, skills, knowledge, and love built into their lunches as a bonus and who can argue that? And one has to question how come this is not standard in education. And then one has to question why society has evolved that this is not standard practice. I certainly did not have the experience. It took me years of self exploration and research to understand what should be standard. Give kids this knowledge and watch a better relationship with the earth flows, watch as the rates of eating disorders drop, watch as front lawns become gardens more commonly and a hundred other fantastic consequences roll out. And you live in an apartment? Try this for an inspirational link: http://www.ted.com/talks/britta_riley_a_garden_in_my_apartment.html. Or this too on gardens: http://www.ted.com/talks/ron_finley_a_guerilla_gardener_in_south_central_la.html. And one more fabulous piece while I am on a Ted roll: http://www.ted.com/conversations/7128/ save_millions_of_trees_per_yea_1.html Life in the garden is great and that is a sweet fact of life.
SUGARBEE XX 10/06/13 and one more thing, half hour after I completed todays post, I happened to watch the following Ted talk, a highly appropriate talk today and exactly what I have blogged about: http://www.ted.com/talks/stephen_ritz_a_teacher_growing_green_in_the_south_bronx.html Enjoy!
It feels like I am living in the summer of 1956 and I look up to see a mirage of a future city, smiling at me across the river, inviting me into its concrete mass with the promise of strange and wonderful things everywhere. Who ever saw that very strange British TV show, Sapphire and Steel, starring Joanna Lumley. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqah0bXh19E Watch Assignment 1, with attention to the theme song that starts at 4.10 and you may sense what I am getting at, except my future city above has a lot of sunshine and is generally a far nicer and friendlier place to be. I like places like this, from a distance, especially when you are looking at such scenes as the one above, across the water. And I wonder where the photo was taken, I think Brisbane, Australia. And I wonder what the buildings are. Hospital? University? Secret technical centre for the future of planet earth? They don't look like anything else to me. What do you think goes on inside those buildings? How many people work there? Do you think it is one institute or many in the one photo? And in the end all I want to do is look up and see a flock of seagulls flying across the sky, that I think would very much frame the picture.
SUGARBEE XX 09/05/13
Working hard to make a dollar, fixing wires on the line, keeping trains on schedule, getting the people to work on time. Such is the life of these men, the fix it crew. How many people travel on a train everyday around the world and never think about all the things that go on behind the scene? It's not only the fix it crew as I like to call them, the maintenance men. It's also the station master, the train drivers, the people who sell tickets, check tickets, clean the trains, the signal controllers and the mechanics. Plus, plus, plus etc etc etc. The many many people who keep those magnificent machines rolling and delivering us where we like to go. http://trn.trains.com/Mobile.aspx?redirect=auto is a link to an online train magazine which can provide you with plenty of train information for any train buffs out there. And then this piece about high speed trains in Europe http://www.raileurope.co.uk/Home/Corporate/RELBlog/tabid/2290/EntryId/146/5-fastest-trains-in-Europe.aspx. Me, I love trains and have likely mentioned this before. I wish one day to take a long train trip across either Australia on the Ghan or ride the Trans Siberian Railway. Dreams can come true, let us see what happens :)
SUGARBEE XX 08/06/13
Sometimes living in Melbourne is like living in a great big toy box.
There is cuteness and sweetness and bright things and smiling things and
tactile inviting things and super deliciousness everywhere and while a
lot of it is for sale, so much is on display, so everyone can at least
get in the mood. Take for instance the nutcracker here, how fabulous is
he. He lives in the arcade at 234 Collins Street if my memory serves me
right and is a Christmas time special. So I must have taken the photo
awhile ago, for we are certainly not near Christmas time today, and
while I may be right about when I took this photo, I also can't be 100%
sure for this particular Nutcracker just seems so familiar to me. Is he
there all the time? Do I have the right arcade even? Is it maybe the
Royal Arcade, where they sell wonderful chocolate, perfumes, games and
Babushkas, all in their speciality shops? I guess a trip to the town is
due, I have a mystery to solve so it seems. And whatever conclusion I
draw, I'm excited because no doubt I will come across several other
wonderfully delightful things along the way. That's Melbourne for you!
SUGARBEE XX 07/06/13
Looking down the laneway, meeting friends and talking about all things concerning you at that very minute. Sheltered above by the open sky and surrounded by art all over the walls. This is Melbourne, over and over and over. At first I feel this photo is taken early evening of an overcast day, and I feel ever so slightly cold, but excited at the same time. The clothes people wear provide no clue, they dress like this day in and day out. And then I look up a little and imagine it is the middle of the day with a bright sunshine smiling down, and we are simply sheltered by shadow. Always something lies waiting down the next laneway, more drawing on the walls, another group of people talking about every and anything going on. Always interesting, always a place to sit close by and drink a coffee and celebrate life, interaction, expression, creations and monster in the back cupboard in the kitchen hiding under all the old things. This is Melbourne one moment in time and we wouldn't have it any other way.
SUGARBEE XX 06/06/13
Here is the local church in my neighbourhood. I took this photo at night from across the road in a pub we had had a few drinks at, on the rare occasion that I do actually drink. I love the lighting, the effect against the dark night sky as the yellow street lights leave their mark and help to create the whole gothic feeling. This church sits on hill ridge, which adds to the impression, you find yourself look up at it from most angles. Having a structure such as this in your backyard is excellent, because it looks incredible, adds so much to the visual landscape, provides a place of serenity if you wish to go inside, and when they hold a wedding or school fete, the excitement seeps through the whole neighbourhood. And wouldn't that make an incredible cake too, a black forest cake. I've never been inside, I imagine it feels enormous inside. Maybe I will pop in and rest a while next time I walk past. And one detail that I've noticed before but just really noticed is the door in the middle of this side view of the church, it is lemon yellow, sweet and inviting and I guess that is what made me think of how wonderful a cake it would be.
SUGARBEE XX 05/06/13
Some people have the sweetest things in their home gardens. I spotted this little letterbox, no longer in use as a letterbox, in a suburban neighbourhood, just sitting pretty and fine in the garden. The history of the letterbox turns up a number of articles on what I know as the post box or mail box, here is one about British letter boxes: http://www.postalheritage.org.uk/page/letterboxes and then Wikipedia tells me that post boxes are like what is seen in the following article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-office_box, which I suppose is right in that they are PO Boxes. And full circle we finally get back to the letterbox: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_box. I remember the day in school we all wrote a letter to Santa, and my excellent Mum that night gave me a big envelope to put everyone's letters to Santa in. The next day on a class trip to the local post office my teacher let me post my big envelope through the mailing slot and this made me very happy for at least the rest of the week. It's funny how the smallest things can make the biggest impressions on a child. Ever since I have loved receiving and posting mail. I wonder when the above letterbox last received mail and how long it was in service. I think it may be the original letterbox for that property which also makes me wonder why it was replaced. It just seems to be a perfectly good letterbox to me.
SUGARBEE XX 04/06/13
It's beautiful and it stands out with pride, it makes you look its way and made me smile. The Red Boat. If I jumped on board, and made myself comfortable, made a sandwich or two to pass the time, how long would it be before the owner returned and sailed me away to the far side of wherever? If you owned a beautiful red boat like this, would you not want to be near it, come down and play on your beautiful red boat every day? A tad too small to live on and then again maybe not. A year long journey around the world. All the wonders to see along the way, and between ports, all the colours of an ocean life, and then an attempt to name all those colours seen, the darker ones, the lighter ones, the changing ones, the greys or greens, white blues and blacks witnessed. The colours in the water, the colours in the sky, the way the red of the boat appeared different in the changing light of day and night time. Each day the list would grow as my imagination stretched further and my need to categorize became an obsession. An interesting read when I finally returned home, simply and wonderfully interesting.
SUGARBEE XX 03/05/13
Tabasco Chocolate, hmmm hmmm. Well that is a hmmm hmmm if you like things a little spicy. I haven't had the pleasure of sampling Tabasco Chocolate, it didn't take my fancy because I'm not a fan of spice and perhaps that is my Anglo Saxon genes. This is only guess work, I have no idea about the food history of my ancestors and so I should probably make an effort to learn about this and while I am at it, about the history of chocolate too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h4ZrUnBGYc Here is part 1 of 4, the History Channel, The History of Chocolate, and parts 2-4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI4URYxjwc0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvK4s1j-tZ8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTrAPOXPECk It's about 45 mins of documentary, fun to watch and interesting. So now for Scotland: http://alliemacb.hubpages.com/hub/The-History-of-Scottish-Food and some recipes where salt, ginger, turmeric, paprika, green chillies, cumin and garam masala are all used: http://www.scotland.org/celebrate-scotland/recipes/haggis-with-a-neeps-and-tattie-tikki So there you go, spices and chilly were used across the colder countries and so that is one theory out the window. Chillies and chocolate, great things about the world of food.
SUGARBEE XX 02/05/13
This one is for the people back home. These are lollies made as Witchity Grubs. Now is a Witchity Grub a thing native to New Zealand or is a Witchity Grub an internationally located insect? And what is the definition of insect exactly? Do they need 6 legs to be an insect? Are spiders insects? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insects. According to Wikipedia an insect has 3 pair of matching legs, so a spider with 8 legs cannot be an insect then. And what is a Witchity Grub aside for an icky grubby things that I often heard of but don't ever recall seeing in my childhood. Let's find out: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchetty_Grub. So they are known in Australia and they eat wood and are an important part of the diet in central Australia. Interesting. Here in the big city, they are made of sugar and don't do much nutritiously for you, but taste dam fine according to the shop assistant where I took this photo. Long Live the Witchity Grub.
SUGARBEE XX 01/06/13
A big red rose of colour, scent, love, joy, beauty and peace. What does a rose mean for you? When were you given your first rose? I was age 12 and Tom, my Nana's friend grew them in his garden, he gave me my first rose. If you have never been given a rose, you can share in my first rose. Close your eyes and imagine the rose, it was red like the one above, not in full bloom yet so it lasted longer, it had been picked from a bush in the front yard and it smelt like heaven, as roses do. Inhale that scent, make the rose you, for imagination is a beautiful thing and I would love for you to have your first rose. Roses come in a range of colours, maybe the scent differs between the varieties of roses, and Wikipedia has an interesting entry on roses, not so much about roses, more about where you find them, in art, film, food etc. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roses. If you Google Roses you get a multitude of business listings for florists and then looking further actual rose information comes up, such as roses have been around for 32 million years, different colours of roses represent different things and the number of roses given relate to the amount you are loved. 1 rose = love at first sight, 36 = I will cherish our romantic moments, 108 = marry me, and 999 = eternal love, ain't that sweet.
SUGARBEE XX 31/05/13
This little birdy watches you from afar. This little birdy watches everything. He says nothing to no one, all he does is watch so it seems. But really what's happening is something quite different. This little birdy is watching and learning all day and all night long. He is watching everything and everyone. He has learnt so much in the 25 years he has sat above the doorway of a shop selling what I can't remember in a place I have no memory of. But he is Bill, Bill Bluebird and if you sit very still and wait patiently, he will see you and wink. And then if you ask him a question, Bill will tell you the answer in a most exciting way, because to be quite frank, there is a very high chance Bill will know the answer. You see in 25 years, Bill has seen and heard people run, walk, sing and talk, converse and release emotion; tell secrets, stop and stretch. Bill has seen who they hang out with, he knows who is connected to who and how, He sees what the people purchase, eat and wear and from this he can tell much about who really is who, who is real, who pretends, who hides behind a facade of a personality they wish they could be, and who runs like the wind or dances in the street. He has seen kindness and cruelty and heard more than 100 languages in his time. Bill is fluent in 7 languages after 25 years for there are 7 languages in his neighbourhood, and Bill can tell you things about at least another 10 languages he has quite often heard. Bill is a silent one, Bill is a clever one, Bill knows much and that makes Bill a very special bird.
SUGARBEE XX 30/05/13
Well it won't be going for a ride today or any day I imagine as it is covered in flowers. I think it would still be possible to ride this bike, maybe a slow stroll through parklands, not on busy city roads. This bike is officially street decoration dressed up as an advert for a local business a couple of doors away from where it is parked. In Melbourne it is not uncommon to see these bikes parked up, cheerful and chirpy, singing their sweet floral songs to those who pass by. It is usually florists, vintage dress shops, or therapist offices, who opt to use the floral bike as a means to advertise, and sometimes there are no flowers, maybe it is an old spruced up "ladies" bicycle with a cane basket on the front. And in a city like Melbourne where so many people choose to ride, it's a natural extension in thought to use these bikes to let people know where your business is. It is one more thing that makes me smile in the city I live in and love.
SUGARBEE XX 29/05/13
We were in class and the guest lecturer brought sweeties to keep us attentive and what a nice gesture that was. The class was about craft, a social activity, so sweeties was more than appropriate and everyone loved it. I ate my share, and some, which that was fine as there were plenty to go around, plus the fact that it was before my no sugar days, a strict routine I am on at the moment. And during a wee break, while everyone chatted excitedly about what they were learning and their lives in general at the point in time, I took a series of photos of the sweetie with coffee cups until I was happy with one (see photo above). When the event was over, all done and dusted and home James we have gone, I messaged the guest lecturer to say thanks very much from all of us, we were delighted and thrilled with your presentation and effort and feel richer for the experience. The guest lecturer was thrilled at my sweet thank-you and I like to call that a win-win situation, the best type of situations. I recommend creating win-win situations as often as you can, it feels excellent and often involves big smiles all round.
SUGARBEE XX 28/05/13
Meet a fish without a name, but a big personality all the same. This fish is at the Melbourne Aquarium and the photo was taken on a simple camera phone. It feels like there is no glass between the fish and I, it feels as if I am in the same environment as the fish, and seeing how you cannot see the water, it is quite possible to imagine the shared environment. What a big mouth the fish has! What type of fish it is, I cannot tell you. I wonder what its vision is like; how long it lives and I wonder how deep it normally swims and how fast it can go. We say fish live in schools. Does that apply to all fish or just most of them? Is this fish edible and if so do they sustainably fish this fish? What would it taste like? I feel like fish for dinner, maybe I will visit my favourite Japanese restaurant and have raw fish, a favourite of mine. This fish has my mind whirling with if's, what's and maybes. And I bet you a golden dollar this fish is oblivious to the entire conversation I am having on my blog, even though he, The Fish is the star.
SUGARBEE XX 27/05/13
This little dog waits and waits and waits like all good little dogs do. This little dog sits and stands and turns around then sits and stands again, and waits and waits and waits for his master to return. This little dog is not tied up, so either this little dog is a very good reliable little dog or his master does not intend on being long. This little dog is fiercely loyal though for it was not in the least interested in pats, not even a look my way. I hope when the master returned, the master was kind and generous with some treats for this little dog, for this little dog deserves it. And that is the story of this little dog!
SUGARBEE XX 26/05/13
This pipeline used to run to a tiny salt plant near Pt Cook, Melbourne. Not far from where all the houses have been or are being built, there is a path that connects this newest neighbourhood with the long path that winds itself through parkland, bushes and beach front all the way to Altona. And somewhere on the path, there is a bridge across the swampy parts, and if you are tricky you can slip under the bridge to a disused pathway that takes you out over the salty swampy lands to the ocean edge. And along this disused path you find the pipeline to nowhere in the photo above. I have no idea of how long ago this little salt plant was retired, it sure is locked up now. It was the size of a teeny tiny house, cute in structure, unliveable in design. The water came in this pipeline, the salt was removed at the salt plant, and the water was released out the other side. The whole set up reminds me of the books I read at primary school about the waterways in Holland, with water wheels and dykes. That was a long time ago, only the visual impressions remain of those books I read. I could have spend time climbing on and around the pipes and the salt plant building, but the whole thing was covered in a layer of salt, thick, crusty, old and it just felt creepy, so I took photos of the area, called out to my friend and we left the area for the next adventurer to discover.
SUGARBEE XX 25/05/13
I love this shot because of the colours, the lighting, the angles and the yellow lines that mess up all I see in front of me, yet strangely hold it together at the same time. I guess having two buildings in the photo adds to the impression you get of skyward, a visual effect causing your eyes to naturally climb. This photo was taken around 4.30pm one afternoon recently from Southern Cross Train Station in Melbourne. What if I had taken a photo of the glass building alone against that dynamic sky? This makes me feel like Batman is hiding out somewhere and if I sit very still; he might just come up and offer me a peanut butter sandwich. Maybe it is the yellow that makes me think of peanut butter, who knows? Did the architect intend for people to visualize interesting things upon seeing the yellow lines? Or was it a case of just making the building stand out? What do the yellow lines make you think of? Are we looking at an office or a residential tower? Would you like this as your address? I wouldn't mind I suppose, having no other details, aside from basic location knowledge. I have no idea of what the building is like inside. Have they put as much thought into the interiors as they did the exterior? Take the yellow away and the building suddenly looks bland and flat. But when all is said and done, I think the balconies on the horizontally stripped building next door look far more inviting so maybe I'll live there instead.
SUGARBEE XX 24/05/13
This is a colourful wall of painted bricks, a dream wall, a pick a colour for the day and smile when you see that colour throughout the day wall, a wall that might tell a thousand tales if it could, a wall of wonder and from memory it was a decent sized painted part of the wall, I think the whole side of a shop, or an office, or a design studio. I spotted it on the way to dinner with friends, I lagged behind to take a photo and had to run to catch up, but I am glad I did for I very much like this photo. I suppose you could take a trip to the nearest oversized hardware shop, grab one of each colour paint chart (don't get too involved in the many shades of any one colour) bring them home, cut them to a uniform and small size, shuffle them up and put them in a little box. You will then have your own colour box, where you can reach in and grab a colour and when you see that colour that day, you smile. The way I see this, you suddenly have lots of reasons to smile all day, it will give you more positive associations with the colour than you previously had and it increases awareness of your environment. It is important to be aware and interact with your environment. That is one of the reasons I take photos, I love the details in life. And on that note, the reason I choose not to wear headphones when I am out and about, firstly because I care about my hearing, and secondly I want to hear the sounds around me. I want to see and hear all I can, I want to be part of things, not locked in my own little world, I want to talk to strangers, and hear the birds sing. Ted.com has an excellent talk on how to improve your listening skills http://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_5_ways_to_listen_better.html I hope there is something wonderful in there for you. I'm choosing golden yellow tonight; it is late so I shall smile when I see golden yellow in my dreams.
SUGARBEE XX 23/05/13
Street names can be somewhat fantastic. Imagine having Wisewould as your
surname? If you were smart, you would make a name like Wisewould work
for you in a multitude of ways. When someone asked you if you would do something in particular, you could simply reply "Mr wisewould" and be done with the whole conversation. Where on earth did Wisewould come from? For Melburnians, I have included this link to where Melbourne street names originated: http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=7228 . And for something else of interest, I found all about street names http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_or_road_name including that a street name is also called an odonym. What other street names out there are of note? Have you ever lived on a street with a difficult to say or spell street name? Have you ever lived on a street where you loved the street name? I once lived near the intersection of Eastwood and Bond streets, and I would regularly have tough guy and secret agent daydreams as I rode past the intersection. And not far away there was the intersection of Wild and High Streets. And then in Melbourne city are the 4 parallel streets in order of King, William, Queen, Elizabeth which is all too fabulous really. I have lived in many houses in my life and if I tried, I could maybe compile a list of all the street names. Actually I wish I had a photo of each of my bedrooms, or one part of the house, like the front door or letterbox.
SUGARBEE XX 22/05/13
A view that makes me want to take a long trip out of town to the other side, for two reasons. One to go for a long drive and secondly to see what is on the other side of the journey. Not strictly being able to remember where this is photo was taken means I have no idea where I might end up. I know this photo is taken in Melbourne, but I cannot tell the suburb, the direction or the day it was taken. All I know is that it looks like it is about to rain. That may or may not have been a problem, I am choosing to remember it was not a problem, and everything turned out fine and along the way I found 567 things that made me smile. Step into the photo and take your own journey, to you don't know where for two reasons. One to go for a long drive and secondly to see what is on the other side of the journey.
SUGARBEE XX 21/05/13
If only I was the size of a small elf, I would climb up those big fluffy ears and grab myself a fine ride on Puppy. You are witness to a dog in the library and this is yet another awesome thing I love about the city I live in. I don't know the reason why the dog was in the library or if any of the staff noticed him, but that he/she was there, everyone cool with it was the most awesome thing. No one battered an eyebrow. In Melbourne you can take your pets on the train. I often see dogs going for a ride on the trains, it makes me smile. It is partly because I love dogs so much, I can connect with any dog and they love me. I often connect with a dog no one other than the owner does. I want a dog, I want a medium to large dog, a smart dog, a dog I can take for long walks in the bush, on the beach, through the city streets, but most of all a dog I can take on trains. I would go on train rides for more than an hour and I would build a little platform for the dog so he could see out the window. My dog would be an intelligent, inquisitive, trained, and a big healthy ball of awesome. He and me out and about exploring. One day, one day, and in the mean time, life will keep showing me excellent dog to smile at the world over.
SUGARBEE XX 20/05/13
Another example of packaging I like. It was rice, basmati rice to be precise that came inside this bag. Side point, that last sentence rhymes which is kinda cool. Random rhyme is a wonderful thing. And what a wonderful tiger they have chosen for their brand of rice. Don't you love the way his front left paw is lifted up the tiniest bit, a gentle pose, almost as if he is testing the ground before committing to a step, not 100% sure of what lies ahead. He is white with red stripes, on the hunt for something in the left corner. Maybe he is hungry, maybe he is in love, or maybe he is just bored and is looking out for a little excitement. Who knows but the tiger himself? It strongly reminds me of the following link, for the short film Graffitiger. I strongly recommend you take the time to watch this little movie, it is pure love in action. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgCP_8wDw68 Hope you like it, it's time to sleep now, I think I am going to dream about tigers!
SUGARBEE XX 19/05/13
