Sliding Doors

Jeffrey Archer's "36"

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:37:25 +1000

Co-incidence?:

An amazing story writer, here on Voxer land - led me to mention within a comment, the comparison in strength and styles to Jeffrey Archer's short story writings;
...whilst browsing through some photos looking for the next hot topic I decided the above recent pic was good enough as any to blog and try and find something to post alongside........and
...now googling for anything regarding "36", what do I stumble upon but a reference to JA himself and a publication with just such a title.
..not remembering having read that particular one (and always desperate to get my hands on his stories) I run to check my own thrift-shop collection. Mmmm - a thick paperback (some 600 odd pages) that I 'd managed to pick up for $1.00, and, can you believe it, had forgotten to read? I check this against the details in the google and discover this previous older publication [Jeffrey Archer's - The collected Short Stories] is now obviously bound and re-printed using this new cover (see below) and new title "36".

Co-incidence? I think not!

Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo *insert twilight zone music*.

Gee, Is there something in the air???

clipped from www.mouthshut.com

36 short stories: 'TWIST' is the underlined word

I am not die hard fan of Jeffrey Archer. It did sound good when I heard about Archer’s short stories from my colleague. Well!!!! After reading this superb collection of 36 short stories, I will tell you that these are the best twist stories I have ever read. I recommend 7 stories which I liked the most.. They are mentioned below based on the ranks which I gave.

1. Clean sweep Ignatius
Twist can never be better than this one. Let me know if you find a story which has a better (twist) ending than this one. The story is all about the Nigerian finance minister (Ignatius) looking for a solution to end all the corruption in his land. Will he be able to succeed??? read more>>

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Dear Diary & Dearest Friends...Mates!

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:33:04 +1000

Everything Vol.1

Monday 12th October, 2008

You know I've always been the one to favour and lean towards the value of [rather fewer] friends of substance than being one that gravitates towards popularity or quantity.

Just different personalities, different makeup, I guess.

There are some that crave 'attention' and that in itself is not altogether bad. They often bloom, and shine and glow like a star under this light - so its all good.

Me – Ye-ah! I’m absolutely one of those "people, who need people"!

I love the interaction, but crave and cherish that deeper level, (rather than the sweet and superficial). That contact with another’s soul - getting right to the ‘heart’ of the matter.

In the internet world I could count at least four. That may not seem a lot to you – but knowing their worth – its like finding not one but four rare and beautiful gems!

So, when you find like-minded souls – kindred spirits - WOW – what a blessing!

Can’t get past how lucky I am of late to know such ‘mates’.

For You!

P.S. I've disallowed the comment option on this post. Yeah, I usually do with 'dear diary' posts.... except where one of my photos are included. This - yeah ok, has one of my photos - BUT the post is meant to be a gift - a message - a thank you, not a bargain for comments. Its meant to be delivered with the intent in which it was written.

Just thought I'd clarify the comment thing once again, and LOL... probably have everyone rolling their eyes *oh there she goes again... comp-LI-caaaatttedd!". Ha Ha. Oh well. *Smiles*

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I Still Call Australia Home

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:33:40 +1000

Australia - My Night Walk

These song lyrics (see below) are the next best thing to what we aussies would sing, actually, as a national anthem if put on the spot and had a drink or two! Well at least you could guarrantee that the words would be sung with far greater enthusiasm, sincerity, enjoyment and even better still - having more chance of being remembered! LOL

Ok, so these photos (posted) are really more for me than anyone - my home life!.

The one second from the right is from the You Yangs, Lara, Victoria. A prime example of our wonderful Australian gum trees which automatically evokes nostalgia and patriotism we aussies feel of homeland upon viewing them.

The two [other gum tree] silhouettes, [just in from the the left] were taken not more than a couple of streets away from my house. Its the same route I always like to take around the neighbourhood block, and if summer, I mostly walk at sunset on towards night.

Ok, I haven't travelled overseas, nor may I ever be able to afford to. It took 20 years of hard work [and complicated circumstances] before I went on my first holiday, ever, for 4 days in Tasmania. [Have to say - I did fall in love with the place, and finally, my love of gum trees!]. Yet, the song lyrics talk more of IF having travelled, your heart still belongs to home - "Australia".

Maybe so, but, there are some great groups around Vox land - Love Where You Live [for e.g.] and I for one, do love Melbourne oh so much. Thank goodness [being that some circumstances have changed] but more importantly - choosing which path at the fork in the road that enables me to get to know my hometown with such passion and embrace all it has to offer.

But, getting back to the photo(s) - I think this is one I will eventually make a quality print of, frame it, and hang it on my wall. Perhaps even a wallet size shot too LOL. For me its so iconic - instantly recognisable not only of Australia, Melbourne, but my home sweet home.

See also post: "Give me a home among the gum trees".

clipped from www.songlyrics.com

I Still Call Australia Home - Song lyrics by Peter Allen
I've been to cities that never close down,
from New York to Rio and old London town,
but no matter how far or how wide I roam,
I still call Australia home.

I'm always travelIing, I love being free,
and so I keep leaving the sun and the sea,
but my heart lies waiting over the foam,

I still call Australia home.

All the sons and daughters spinning 'round the world,
away from their family and friends,
but as the world gets older and colder,
it's good to know where your journey ends.
Someday we'll all be together once more,
when all of the ships come back to the shore,
I’ll realise something I've always known,

I still call Australia home.

but no matter how far or wide I roam,
I still call Australia I still call Australia, I still call Australia home.
but no matter how far or wide I roam,

I still call Australia I still call Australia, I still call Australia home.

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Thomastown - Not Playing Ball

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:58:01 +1000

Not Playing Ball

I stumbled on this sign in Thomastown - and just couldn't believe it. Seems to me the city of Darebin certainly "don't know how to play ball". Can you believe it? Perhaps, as is often the case, any number of sports balls, were the cause of a few broken windows in the neighbouring houses, or worse - the effect of too many incidents where youngsters were running onto the road to retrieve them. Perhaps, they've decided and would prefer no 'mock-up' goal pitches wrecking havoc with what little grass root system we have left in the parks.

I have no idea what the objection is. The park itself seems comparable in size to my own local one around the corner. The size of the streets and proximity to the surrounding residential housing of similar distance and proportions. There are no such signs displayed though, at my local park and always plenty of activity. Just the run-of-the mill normal park which constantly seems alive with its ball-playing, dog walking & family orientated visitors. Didn't see one person in the above park though. Nope - Never did find Thomas either!

For more in the series, see also all images tagged: Signs o' the Times

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Dight Falls

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:45:00 +1000

Ahh This is the Life - Poster

clipped from en.wikipedia.org

Dight Falls

Prior to European settlement, the area was occupied by the indigenous Wurundjeri tribe of the Kulin nation. The rock falls would have provided the Aboriginal people with a natural river crossing and place to trap migrating fish. It was also a meeting place for many clans where they would trade together, settle disputes and exchange brides.

In the 1840s, an artificial weir was built on the natural bar of basalt boulders to provide water to the "Ceres" flour mill, one of the first in Victoria. Situated by the Yarra River in Collingwood is the industrial relic known locally as "Dight's Mill", one of Melbourne's oldest and most significant industrial sites. In the early 1840's John Dight established Melbourne's first water-powered flour mill on the site. In 1888 'Yarra Falls Roller Mills' built a water-turbine powered mill, which was the largest and most sophisticated of the thirty two water powered mills built in Victoria before 1900.
Photograph by Dee Muzzi Oct 08.

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One For the Birds - Screensaver

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 06:54:08 +1000

I've been up with the birds! I dunno about everyone else but during the first week of the change over to Daylight savings here in Victoria is certainly wrecking havoc with my sleep (or lack thereof lol). Been getting up with the birds and first ray of sunshine every morning - because now its 'later' than the usual time, and finding it ever so late so quickly at night - but the sun is still out!

Click on the pic for enlarged view - there is slightly better clarity.
See also more photos tagged Screensavers

Cllipped from en.wikipedia.org

Daylight saving time

The choice to use daylight saving time or not is a matter for the individual states and territories.

New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia observe daylight saving time every year. This has resulted in three time zones becoming five during the daylight saving period

Western Australia is operating daylight saving time in a trial period from the spring 2006 until autumn 2009

On 12 April 2007, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania and the ACT agreed to a common starting and finishing dates for daylight saving time.From the 2008/09 period, the start of DST in these States,and in South Australia commences on the first Sunday in October and ends on the first Sunday in April, the same as in Tasmania.

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The Bold and the Bolte-ful

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:20:53 +1000

Bolte Bridge, Melbourne

An old snap (oooh taken about 2-3 years ago) and with a different camera. I'm afraid its terribly blurred, but other than that I quite like the photo so have decided to at least blog it.

See also more photos tagged "Bolte Bridge". Hopefully there will be far more (eventually).

Both Photos taken from/at Docklands Dec 06

The Bold and the Beautiful

clipped from en.wikipedia.org

The Bolte Bridge is a large twin Cantilever bridge in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It spans the Yarra River and Victoria Harbour in the Docklands precinct to the west of the Melbourne CBD. It forms part of the CityLink system of tollroads that connects the Tullamarine Freeway from the northern suburbs with the West Gate Freeway and the Domain and Burnley tunnels to the Monash Freeway and the south eastern suburbs.

The bridge was designed by architects Denton Corker Marshall and was built for head contractor Transurban by Baulderstone Hornibrook, construction taking three years from 1996 to 1999 and costing $75 million. It was named for former Premier of Victoria, Sir Henry Bolte.

It is one of the largest balanced cantilever cast in situ box girder bridges in Australia. The superstructure is built as two independent bridges of variable depth, prestressed concrete box girders, separated by a 1.15 m clear gap between the structures.

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Give Me A Home Among the Gum Trees

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:26:37 +1000

Give Me A Home Among the Gum Trees (3)

Currently using this one as my desktop pic/Screensaver - which even when stretched and cropped to half the photo, still comes out decent enough.

...but when my mates all ask me the place that I adore,
I tell them right away.

Give me a home among the gum trees,
with lots of plum trees, a sheep or two, a ka-kangaroo.
A clothes line out the back, verandah out the front,
and an old rocking chair.

You can see me in the kitchen cooking up a roast,
or Vegemite on toast, just you and me, a cup of tea.
And later on we'll settle down and mull up on the porch,
and watch the possums play.

Give me a home among the gum trees,
with lots of plum trees, a sheep or two, a ka-kangaroo.
A clothes line out the back, verandah out the front,
and an old rocking chair.

"Home Among the Gum Trees" David Williamson - lyrics
Photo by Dee Muzzi, taken at You Yangs, Victoria, Oct 08.

clipped from en.wikipedia.org

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus (From Greek, ευκάλυπτος meaning "well covered") is a diverse genus of trees (and a few shrubs), the members of which dominate the tree flora of Australia. There are more than seven hundred species of Eucalyptus, mostly native to Australia, with a very small number found in adjacent parts of New Guinea and Indonesia and one as far north as the Philippines islands. Species of Eucalyptus are cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics including the Americas, England, Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, China and the Indian Subcontinent.

Many, but far from all, are known as gum trees in reference to the habit of many species to exude copious sap from any break in the bark (e.g. Scribbly Gum).

Eucalyptus is one of three similar genera that are commonly referred to as "eucalypts," the others being Corymbia and Angophora.

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Yellow Bridge Road

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 21:18:21 +1000

Yellow Bridge Road

Caught this borrowed abstract-effect reflection by chance, whilst walking past a Richmond shop. Behind the glass window pane, the shop held within a reflective, near-gold mirrored blind which threw out this distorted effect, and then, without barely any time to turn on the camera - a yellow tram drove by.

Yellow spectrum

While we're on the 'yellow', I was fully on intending making a post (somehow) out of a whole bunch of 'miscellaneous' photos when I noticed these few seemed to immediately gravitate together as if belonging to some colour spectrum. A good enough reason, as any, for posting this bunch in this post! *smiles*.

Here, (below) is a cropped Abstract representation of Bridge Road Richmond.
(Click here for Wikipedia image/example of the street/area).

I have a couple of beginners 'reflections' in my photo albums, but must say had much fun, snapping this particular (non-digitally modified) effect. Unrecognisable as a street scape obviously, being the deliberate abstract shot that it is but I wonder if, those that are locals upon seeing such an image without added information, might even recognise that 'something' all-too familiar and nostaligic - reminscent of 'home.

Bridge Road, Richmond - Abstract

clipped from en.wikipedia.org

Bridge Road is a major shopping strip in Melbourne, Australia. It is most well known for its abundance of clothing factory outlets, which makes it a popular tourist attraction. There are also many stores of up-and-coming local fashion designers.

The City of Yarra town hall and Epworth Hospital are also situated on Bridge Road.

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Warrandyte - On the Yarra

nobody@vox.com(Deena Muzzi) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:14:03 +1000

Two Birds and a Boy

I spent a lovely afternoon by the Yarra, at Warrandyte and took the email address of this boy's family to send on some pics snapped that day - but for the life of me I can't seem to find the card right now!

I swapped my blog URL too, so am hoping desperately they will get in contact with me (after seeing this post) so I can forward them on as promised.

*scratches head*.

I will have a more thorough seach soon, and if I'm lucky - it will all come out in the wash!.... (which is where Im worried the card is !! ) LOL.

P.S. Of course I simply can't be near the river, lakes or water without taking a few pics of Pacific Black Ducks! ha ha Yup...You know it; I know it.

clipped from en.wikipedia.org

Warrandyte was founded as a Victorian town located in the once gold-rich rolling hills east of Melbourne, Victoria, and is now generally considered part of greater Melbourne. Gold was first discovered in the town in 1851 and together with towns like Bendigo, Victoria and Ballarat, Victoria, led the way in gold discoveries during the Victorian gold rush. Today Warrandyte retains much of its past in its surviving buildings of the Colonial period and remains a twin community with North Warrandyte which borders the Yarra River to its north.

Warrandyte developed as something of an artists' colony from the late 19th century. Clara Southern, associated with the Heidelberg School, was one of the first to take up residence at Warrandyte. Others followed, including Penleigh Boyd and Jo Sweatman.

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Sliding Doors

Jeffrey Archer's "36"

36 short stories: 'TWIST' is the underlined word

Dear Diary & Dearest Friends...Mates!

I Still Call Australia Home

Thomastown - Not Playing Ball

Dight Falls

One For the Birds - Screensaver

The Bold and the Bolte-ful

Give Me A Home Among the Gum Trees

Eucalyptus

Yellow Bridge Road

Warrandyte - On the Yarra