I think I’m almost ready to call it a day with this experiment. Almost 13 weeks in and there doesn’t seem to be a huge amount of progress.

The update from week 8 is here, below are some comparisons. The light is super-different, so it is really hard to compare properly. Sizing them differently doesn’t help either, so I may shrink the 12.5 versions when I am back at the laptop.

WEEK 12.5

WEEK 8

xxx

WEEK 12.5

WEEK 8

Okay, there might be a very slight reduction in size, but if there is it is pretty infinitesimal. Maybe less bulbous? Maybe?

Flogging a dead horse? Quite probably!

Almost the last of the Canberra photos! What with the expected influx of Japan pix, I figured if I didn’t do something about them now, it was unlikely that I ever would.

If you like your photos bereft of people, Canberra is definitely the place to go!

The weather was completely gorgeous on our first afternoon – perfect for strolling and busting out the camera. There is still quite a lot of practice required as I’m much more accustomed to taking photos of kitties. These are very, very slowly heading in the direction I want to go – the not totally dreadful direction.

AFTERNOON WALK

xxx

NATIONAL GALLERY

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LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN

xxx

EXCELLENT WINTERY TREES

Almost the last of the Canberra photos! What with the expected influx of Japan pix, I figured if I didn’t do something about them now, it was unlikely that I ever would.

If you like your photos bereft of people, Canberra is definitely the place to go!

The weather was completely gorgeous on our first afternoon – perfect for strolling and busting out the camera. There is still quite a lot of practice required as I’m much more accustomed to taking photos of kitties. These are very, very slowly heading in the direction I want to go – the not totally dreadful direction.

AFTERNOON WALK

xxx

NATIONAL GALLERY

xxx

LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN

xxx

EXCELLENT WINTERY TREES

[imagine a photo of some delightful kitties here]

This week is going to be complete bedlam as I try to finalise everything (both urgent and important) so I can escape SML on Friday evening. 

I’ve only just wrapped up now (I did break to for snacks and dinner) and I foresee similar rather late nights up until I leave. Sadly this stuff cannot wait (people tend to get somewhat tetchy if you’re tardy in delivering their millions).

Oh well, it is what is is. Thank TheUniverse for my lovely work laptop so at least I don’t have to stay at SML until some ungodly hour!

[imagine a photo of some delightful kitties here]

This week is going to be complete bedlam as I try to finalise everything (both urgent and important) so I can escape SML on Friday evening. 

I’ve only just wrapped up now (I did break to for snacks and dinner) and I foresee similar rather late nights up until I leave. Sadly this stuff cannot wait (people tend to get somewhat tetchy if you’re tardy in delivering their millions).

Oh well, it is what is is. Thank TheUniverse for my lovely work laptop so at least I don’t have to stay at SML until some ungodly hour!

This morning I dragged out my suitcase and dumped a whole lot of clothes in it. Way too many clothes.

Then I spent some time being ruthless and decided to take the difficult decision not to take my runners and gym wear with me (which freed up quite a bit od space). Then I decided that with temperatures between 28-30oC I probably wouldn’t need 2 pairs of jeans either. I’m down to 7 dresses, two cardigans, swimmers, a pair of overalls and two tee-shirts.

I am very envious of people who can naturally pack light. Oh to just take a carryon size for two weeks!

I may be employ more ruthlessness tomorrow – if I am in desperate need of clothing when I am there I can always buy it!

It was sport, sport and more sport for Don and I today.

Joe/Frank and Bessie’s dad kindly gifted us his tickets to the NCAA season opener between CAL and Hawaii. Why it was played in Sydney is a mysterious mystery. The weather was brilliant and sparkling and it was excellent to be out amongst it with 61,245 other people.

what are these weird goal posts?

I know absolutely nothing avout American football, so was peppering Don with questions like: “why is he doing that?” “what does that mean?” “is that a CANNON?” “why do they do that?” &etc. He bore the barrage with his usual good grace.

It was quite fun and a great atmosphere – very festive. But wow, games go for a *really* long time!

Unfortunately we had to to leave at 3/4 time to head back into the city for …

xxx

The ducks!

I finally made it to a game (I think it was my second for the year). Beautiful evening with 36,568 other people. There was definitey small crossover between both groups, but crazy to think there were almost 100k people watching football in my city today.

now this i understand

We won by over 100 points and secured the minor premiership. Not to get too excited because last time that happened it did not end well.

There was tons of walking involved in getting to and from the various stadia, and right now I am completely and utterly knackered.

After the less than ideal photos of the quiche and other recent DSLR mediocrities, I was ready to toss the whole thing in the bin and give up photography for ever as All Too Hard.

Nothing quite like histrionics.

Tonight I busted the SD card out of the camera and looked at some of the Canberra pix.

my very favourite from the trip

And I was like, yeah, okay, maybe I’ll keep at it.

After the less than ideal photos of the quiche and other recent DSLR mediocrities, I was ready to toss the whole thing in the bin and give up photography for ever as All Too Hard.

Nothing quite like histrionics.

Tonight I busted the SD card out of the camera and looked at some of the Canberra pix.

my very favourite from the trip

And I was like, yeah, okay, maybe I’ll keep at it.

When Joan last visited her (ex)¹ step-mother, she very kindly gave us a dozen eggs from her chickens.

They were amazingly different in size and colour.

two pleasing photos to offset the dire next two

When I cracked them, the (unpictured) yolks were an incredibly violent yellow. And they contributed to a pretty spectacularly delicious quiche last night.

Yep, I’m still working on getting that pastry right (ARGH! shrinking).

And still working on taking a decent photo of food (or of anything for that matter!) I’m mostly enjoying the process, but at times both can be quite infuriating.

from iphone

from camera

Looks aside, it was my best quiche yet. And I do covet chickens of my own – but very fortunately have nowhere to store them, because it is difficult enough wrangling kitties.

xxx

¹ yep, we’re one of those complicated families