jeremy.id.au

Well it seems it’s possible to find new friends even when things get so bad that there are a few friends to celebrate my 21st birthday with. So now I have two new friends, Luke and Annelise. Whoo!

Anyway met up with them last night; just over 24 hours ago that is. We had pizza for dinner, watched some DVDs then just mucked around, listened to 80s music (e.g. Sunglasses At Night by Corey Heart). When it came time to go home, we walked outside to be surprised by the most awesome fog. It wasn’t the thickest fog I’ve ever seen, though it was very pretty, as well as a little spooky. Trees were dripping as water droplets precipitated in the leaves. So we just couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a walk down to the local park/creeklands. Once there, we walked along a walkway which goes over a lake and walked over the suspension bridge (from the distance you could hardly make it out) that crosses the Eastern Freeway. Car headlights were just appearing out of the haze while their taillights were disappearing again, rather mysteriously.

Finally it came time to drive Annelise home. It was a fairly slow trip, considering that visibility was quite poor in places. It’s a different world when everything is hidden by fog.

Until now, it had been getting darker and darker, while the days were getting shorter and shorter. But today was officially the shortest day of the year, being Winter Solstice. Sound too technical? Well basically it means that the sun is as far north and as far away from the equator as it gets, leaving Australia titled towards the arse end of the solar system.

Unless you thrive on darkness, you may be wondering why one would even bother to remember this time of the year. Well the main point is that things only get better from today. From here on the days will be getting longer and the nights getting shorter. On roughly the 21st of September we then reach the Equinox where day and night are roughly of equal length. Finally we reach Summer Solstice which is approximately 21st of December, where we will enjoy the longest days. Between now and then, enjoy the ever increasing daylight.

It is also a reminder to make the very most of what little daylight is available to us at this time of the year. Fortunately in Melbourne the days aren’t too short though (roughly 9.5 hours). Being an insomniac last night, it’s unfortunate that I wasted three hours of this daylight on the little sleep that I did end up getting.

Of course, this all applies to those of us who are lucky enough to live in the southern hemisphere. Those in the northern hemisphere will be experiencing the opposite.

Links:
Winter solstice brings scant sunlight (ABC News)
The long and short of winter solstice (The Age)

It’s an exciting life I lead, I tell ya. I haven’t been doing all that much that’s interesting, so there’s little to write about. It’s winter and it’s mostly chilli so it’s tempting to stay nice and warm in the house.

Been missing a few classes at TAFE. Though finally when I did get to one last week, I was the only one to turn up. Though it probably wasn’t the most important subject.

Last night was another PTUA meeting, this time for the Outer East branch. Though it wasn’t just any meeting, it was organised as a forum on bus reforms, with representatives from operators and NGOs present, so was kind of interesting. Afterwards a few of us went for dessert at the usual haunt, il Tempo in Degraves Street where I ordered Tiramisù. It was delicious.

Well last night something at least happened. I was told we’d be going out for dinner at a nice restaurant. It was to be me, Mum, Catherine (sister), Tim (brother) and Eff (Tim’s girlfriend). As it turns out, when we arrived, I was greeted by not only Tim and Eff but also family friends as well. Later some more relatives turned up. It turned out to be a reasonably good night.

I said I’d post some pictures, so here they are. Meet Lily, my sisters new puppy.

Here she is today from about an hour ago today:

Here she is again from three weeks ago, with Effie (brother’s girlfriend) when she would have been about five weeks old:

She’s a Cavoodle. Which is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, crossed between a Toy Poodle. There’s possibly some Bichon in her as well.

Update: Since this post has been fairly popular, I’ve uploaded this gallery of the litter.

Well 21 today. Is that old or what?

As I expected, it was nothing overly exciting. Woke up and oh yes, did stumble across some cards left by my mum and sister. Went to tafe for one class, came home and was surprised to find a bottle of Yellowglen left by some long-time (since kindergarten) family friends, so thanks Robyn, John and Alex! Also received cards and money from my various relatives so thanks to them as well (even though they probably won’t read this blog). Then tonight was just an ordinary everyday dinner.

We’re supposed to be going out Saturday night for a family dinner. Though if only I could scrape up a few of my old mates and go out sometime (maybe if you’re reading this, give me a ring :D). Though doesn’t seem likely at this stage. At least I was remembered in the online world perhaps partly due to a subtle reminder in my jabber status message.

Other than my birthday, not too much has been happening. My sister got a new puppy yesterday, named Lily. Yes, you could say she’s cute and she is. Though I don’t know about the idea of having an inside dog. As long as I don’t have to clean up after it, I suppose it’ll be okay. Not my favourite breed of dog either, then again, what is? Not to be mean or anything though. I do like dogs, particularly Ruby who we had for six years up till when she had to be put down in 1998. Might post a photo or two sometime.