Day 7 - Hairsalons

Quite a few years ago now, I used to like my hair to look as weird as possible.

Old photos remind me that I once had it all dyed very bright blue. Another time, I had my hair all dyed in black and bright orange horizontal stripes, with the right side cut into a bob, and the left side cut very, very short. For some reason that now escapes me, I also once had a lightning bolt shaved into my hair at the back.

These days, I usually just have my hair in a plain ponytail, which sort of seems like a missed opportunity, since there are 4 hairsalons just an elevator-ride away, in the shopping centre downstairs.

I am pretty sure that my kids are grateful for this missed opportunity, but I do wonder how all these hairdressers find enough customers.

Day 6 - In the Fog

It was very, very foggy this morning. I couldn't see the city in the distance. I couldn't see the river or the ferry. I couldn't even see the other apartment buildings close by.

All I could see were seagulls that were very near: swirling and circling and endlessly squabbling in the grey mist.

Day 5 - National Permaculture Day

Today is National Permaculture Day: 'A Day of Positive Action for you and the Planet'.

Permaculture is not just organic gardening: it is conscious system of design for a sustainable and agriculturally productive ecosystem that has diversity, stability and resilience, and is in harmony with the landscape and people.

There are interesting events around Australia: www.permacultureday.info

(Sorry, the print is a bit rough because I printed it very quickly and with not enough ink.)

Day 4 - Very Hungry Pigeon

I had lunch at a cafe in the city with a friend today. We sat at an inside table because I felt cold. While we talked and waited for our food to arrive, we watched pigeons pecking crumbs that fell to the ground at the outdoor cafe tables. One pigeon had nibbled so many tasty crumbs that it could literally not fly. So it just kept waddling between the tables, looking for more fallen crumbs.

Day 3 - Blue Mountains

The other week, we went for a bushwalk in the Blue Mountains. We looked at the Three Sisters and saw the cable car glide by. We walked a long way and in the evening, our legs felt very tired.

Day 2 - Spoilt for choice

I grow vegies on my balcony and I harvest some of them fresh each evening to cook dinner or make a salad. But if I don't feel like cooking, there are 6 restaurants within fifty metres of my apartment. One Italian, two Japanese, one seafood, one Chinese, and a restaurant that just calls its food 'Asian-style'.

30 linoprints in 30 days

Am I foolish to set myself this challenge?

Friends who know me well, know that 'time management' is something I find a bit challenging. Doing things to a schedule often just collides with the meanderings of my imagination, where time is elastic and where I discover all sorts of wonderful unexpected things.

Nevertheless, I plan to post a linoprint a day for the next 30 days. Any encouragement will be greatly appreciated :-)

If things don't change...

I like this list of thoughts I read a while ago. They will you get through almost any crisis. And if they don't, I think you will still feel better for having read them.

1. Indecision is the key to flexibility.
2. There is absolutely no substitute for a genuine lack of preparation.
3. One-seventh of your life is spent on Monday.
4. Never wrestle with a pig: you both get dirty, but the pig likes it.
5. Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
6. If things don't change, they will stay as they are.

(Thank you to the unknown originator of this list. The pig is for you, but you will have to share it with Tolli.)

Illustrators Australia Exhibition

Should be a good exhibition. I have two pictures in the show. You are all invited!