1. Picture a day #2.11 Taco Cones, 2. Picture a day #2.10 Dusk, 3. Picture a day #2.09 Chocolate, 4. Picture a day #2.08 Sexy shoes, 5. Picture a day #2.07 good-bye Tony, 6. Picture a day #2.06 Night time street, 7. Picture a day #2.05 Tuk Tuk, 8. Picture a day #2.04 Hot and purple, 9. Picture a day #2.03 Safety first, 10. Picture a day #2.02 Take my hands, 11. Picture a day #2.01 Training Night, 12. Picture a day #2.30 Tiger cupcakes, 13. Picture a day #2.29 Naked Banana Cake, 14. Picture a day #2.28 Bloom, 15. City Hall, 16. Picture a day #2.25 Gorgeous, 17. Picture a day #2.24 Watchalookingat?, 18. Picture a day #2.23 Happy Birthday, 19. Picture a day #2.22 Perry’s House, 20. Picture a day #2.21 OUr footpath, 21. Saturday night, 22. Picture a day #2.20 Complete, 23. Picture a day #2.19 Nicole and her Turtle jumper, 24. Picture a day #2.27 Kiwi, 25. Picture a day #2.26 By the numbers

The year is over and rather than admit failure, I’m going to give it another try. This is the last for 07-08

Last year I was worried about quality, creativity, following through, missing days. This year, I’m just doing it, not just as a way of making myself focus, but as a way of journalling. If I make every day, great! If not, there will be another day and another photograph.

As my blog entries get further and further apart- at least these will give you an insight into what is happening in my life, if not my head.

And so, here’s to new beginnings.

It was all too short. We had an absolutely fabulous time- we did so much, ate ourselves stupid, Kate was the best hostess and I took hundreds of photos.

Our plane was very late in leaving Brisbane so we didn’t arrive until quite late. Kate insisted on taking us to dinner, and lucky for us, being festival time there were quite a few things open, we ended up having dinner at La Trattatoria, this great Italian place on King William Street. BMB had the veal and I had a gnocchi and marscapone dish.

Then we went to the fabulous Boho bar, which might have been quiet due to the festival pre-show, but I love it.

The design of it just blew my mind- it looks like somethig from the tuun of the century Pigale with velvet curtains and coaches and beautiful hoardings in a Matisse style. I want one in Brisbane.

At about 2am we fell into bed, after a huge day and the promise of a gorgeous breakfast in the morning.

The next morning we set out to Citrus for a scrumptious brekky with Faye and James. I could have happily sat eating, talking drinking coffee and watching the world go by- but we had only a few hours and so much to do. So we scampered off to the Central markets, which were a dream come true for a foodie like me. There are miles and miles of fresh food, food shops and all sorts of stuff in between. It’s pity we only had an hour, but the wine districts were calling.

After a brief stop at a suburban department store to get some goodies for the beach (who would have thought we would forget sunscreen, towels, hats and in BMB’s case, swimmers?); we headed out to the hills, McLaren Vale in the hope of hitting a few wineries and then heading out to the beach. We stopped for lunch at Market 190 and had a fabulous lunch, by which time I was actually beginning to doubt my ability to eat any more good food.

With only a little bit of time left, we headed out to Wirra- Wirra winery. Well. we had intention anyway, but ended up taking Kate’s Rent a bomb on some rather scary unsealed roads. It wasn’t helped by the fact the fuel gauge was insisting the car was empty and the signs were not that informative. After an adventure in driving and almost going full cricle, we found the winery. They had some very nice wines which found their way into my suitcase and enjoyed their trip North.

As the afternoon started to drift on, we headed out to Aldinga beach- which is just amazing. unlike Queensland beaches that are full of surf and beautiful bodies, Aldinga was quite calm and full of families. I was a little disturbed by the number of cars on the beach despite the “Vehicles prohibited” sign; not just 4x4s either, family sedans as well, but really they weren’t a problem. I love the calm, cool, clear water- but was a little put off by the idea that sharks are renowned for taking people in these waters.

As the sunset, we went onto Russell’s, an Adelaide institution, in Wilunga. It’s a small stone house equipped with a massive brick oven that makes the greatest rustic pizzas. We sat in one of the areas outside, which are corrugated iron roofs open sheds and it’s almost like being at a party in someone’s backyard. The food is fresh and homey and very very nice. Kate was able to wangle a booking, despite the two month waiting list, very persuasive that girl. We caught up with Faye and James (again- I love eating with these guys) and ate, drank and chatted our way through the evening.

The intention was to head back into town and catch a late show at the Garden of Unearthly Delights, part of the Fringe festival that had opened early. Instead the rent-a-bomb came good on its promise to run out of petrol and BMB and I waited with the car while the others went to get petrol, I was waiting to John Jarrett to pull up in a ute and offer us a hand. Luckily it didn’t happen like that, and the little blue car got back on the road and we went home to our beds sometime around 2.

Sunday was a bit of a lazy day, got up late, played with the dogs at Kate’s house sit and then headed out to Henly for breakfast. It was just what we needed- we could have tried to cram in getting to Rundle street, but a lazy breakfast of eggs and chorizo with a honeycomb latte at Morska Vila and a wander down the pier was so much better.

We spent the rest of the day waiting for, or squished in planes – because I didn’t book a direct flight, but it gave us ample opportunity to catch up on sleep, download the photos from the camera (about 160) and plan our next trip, which will be longer and take us to more beaches, more food, and hopefully Kangaroo Island.

If you want to have a good look at the better photos from the trip- check out my flickr album.

I’ve had a few good days with photography, did a real family portrait session on the weekend, which has come up pretty well. I also did some for skating this week- not so good, but something to work on. However, I can’t help but notices, as I’m sure you have- how my 365 project shots have suffered in quality and quantity. I was hoping to pick up on them over the New Year, but they’ve been a little shoddy. I’m hoping a routine will help me feel better about it all.

I had my hair done yesterday-and I’m already regretting it, it looks pretty trashy.

Meanwhile my holidays are almost over- I’m off for a conference next week and I’m feeling particularly under prepared to go back to work- both emotionally and planning wise.

I’m trying not to let it get me down- I’ve got the Big Day out this weekend, and I’ve received some great news about something else- so I’m trying to ignore my doubts and make the most of it.

I even had a big bowl of yoghurt instead of ice cream

This week flew by and I got so little done- what with Peter’s birthday, work stuff, an excursion, by Thursday I was lost and tired and took a day off to sleep and clear my head.

Peter’s birthday was good, but the big celebration is to come this weekend. Last weekend was a welcome relief (in a way)- we headed out of the city and headed up to Gympie, in fact we went rural, out to Bec’s parents farm. Good friends, nice food, fresh air and some good photo opps that I’ll sort and share over the weekend. I was thrilled to see Frank ( haven’t seen her in ages)- but it had a bittersweet note, poor ‘vira passed that morning, less than a few weeks after Spook. Both were old dogs and had worthwhile and long lives, but it’s always sad to lose a pet. I’ll miss them both and I know how Frank must be feeling- like her heart’s been ripped out, I’d feel the same if I lost one of my girls.

On a brighter note, this is what I’ve been photographing this month, not every day- but pretty good. Some domestic, some from the farm and the odd left over from Japan. Enjoy and don’t forget to check them out on Flickr, along with the rest of my Japan pics.

1. Picture a day #74 Rama, 2. Picture a day #75 Tachikoma, 3. Picture a day #71 King Parrot, 4. Picture a day #70 Sunset from the farm, 5. Picture a day #72 B movie boy’s birthday, 6. Picture a day #69 New do, 7. Picture a day #73 Unwrapped, 8. Picture a day #68 Bin it, 9. Picture a day #67- Gold and Red, 10. 041007, 11. Picture a day #65 Pink Lily, 12. Picture a day #64 Worth Voting for, 13. Picture a day #63 Goodies from the Far East, 14. Picture a day #66- New diary, 15. Picture a day- #61 Bed, 16. Picture a day #60- fabulous pants

I’ve been laid up for most of the day with a migrane, so looking at a computer screen has not been fun, but I have finally sorted through my pics and come up with the best of my Japan photos. Check out the album here.
There’s still another 50 or so that I’ll upload at the end of the week and this weekend brings spa adventures at Bec’s farm, so hopefully I’ll have some pictures.

Instead I did spend some time sorting japan pics and they should be with you shortly.

I spent the last two weeks or so carrying a camera, a big SLR, so for the last few days it’s been nice to carry nothing- I’m taking a break from pic of the day and hopefully will pick it all back up during the week.

I went to a digital workshop for photo club today- it was really good to learn something new for computers on the first time in ages. Using the CS3 trial, I realise both my computers need a bit of an upgrade

1. Picture a day #40 Jasmine, 2. Picture a day #39 Saturday night at home, 3. Picture a day #38 Artichoke, 4. Picture a day #37- 11th hour, 5. Picture a day #36 The trots, stopped, 6. Picture a day #35 Rainy night, 7. Picture a day #34 Power, 8. Picture a day #32 Bec’s Pendant, 9. Picture a day #31 Chocolate Koalas?

My FIL and my own Dad, two very different men, I love and respect them heaps.