Old Rocks

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There's something new about the happen. I'm a little anxious. Change is good; though this new pool is a little different than the last. For the members of this pool, already have their roots firmly planted into their ground. They have all sprouted strong limbs and trunks. They have been trimmed and scarred. Some of us will walk in with partners and familiar faces. Some of will walk entirely alone. It would be an interesting and a most introspective experience.
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Don't be weighed down by old rocks; but always hold on to the rare handful of people who you can truly talk to. It is afterall, the Old Rocks are the ones which give you all your support and strength to reach out, and expand.

Tasmania

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For the Past two weeks I've been in Tasmania. It's a really beautiful place. It's feels like absolute wilderness. Yes there are farms, a multitude of sheep and cattle; grapevines and fruit, seafood and cheeses. But the national parks there are amazing.

The atmosphere is tranquilic.
The air sees like crystal.

The water is the blue-ist i've ever seen.

The weather is eratic.

The sheep are in abundance.


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What are you going to do in Tasmania?
Witness erosion.
Isn't that like watching paint dry, or watching grass grow; but over thousands and thousands of years?
Yep.

I thought....

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... I should leave on a better note. It's something like 2am. I have a James Squire I.P.A next to me. Everything is relatively packed. Mum's cooled down from her tyrant grip and seemingly heated actions of issuing orders, supervising and critiquing packing techniques. Truth to be told, I think i'm going to enjoy Tasmania. Although I think as a family we're a little overpacked. We even decided to bring a wooden table; though we didn't bring the kitchen sink, just a yellow tub.

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This comic strip is brilliant.
(click in enlarge)

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I'm supposed to wake up at like 5am, to finish off packing and head for the Port Melbourne. Despite all that I'm missing out for the whole fortnight that I'm away, I think I'll enjoy Tasmania. I've always had a love for wonderful scenery, although a MAJOR problem is that I've noticed some terrible distortion in the 18-135mm variable lens for my camera. At a wide 18mm, objects on the horizontal extremes are stretched. Making them look sorter and fatter. Grrr! But, it's hardly noticeable.

I think I'm going to enjoy Tasmania.
I think I'm going to enjoy Tasmania.
I think I'm going to enjoy Tasmania.

if i say it enough it might actually happen

Shoebox.

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There's a little Shoebox under my bed. It's made of cheap composite cardboard. A simple mass produced box made for temporary storage.

Over the years, dust had has gathered, and anchored itself into the once smooth surface of the lid; rendering it like poorly kept velvet. One corner has been crumpled by a heavy landing. Another corner in perfect condition; but has been tainted by the recent floods.

It's not a very exciting shoebox. It's construction is simple. A rectangular shoebox, three quarter's it's length making it's width. Everything is double layered for durability and strength. The base is cut to be collapsible for easy shipment. The lid is simple. It's merely the same rectangular shape, just a tad larger in both length and width, and exactly one eighth of it's base in height. The lid is double layered too.

The entire shoebox is tied with a long piece of decorative ribbon. The sight of this ribbon will remind you of Christmas. It's base colour is red, with a centre of green running through , and two gold stripes running parallel beside it.

The ribbon is actually tied quite affectionately to the battered old shoebox. The ribbon is first balanced at the top, carefully aligned at the centre. The two ends then drape over the sides, and converge against each other at the base. Once the full length of the ribbon has past each other they are twisted together: one heading north, one heading south; using each other as an anchoring point. The ribbon then runs back up to top, and runs under the starting point, meeting it at ninety degrees. Then, and only then, does the ribbon form into a bow. Where the two loops are larger than the ends; where the left loop is seventeen percent larger than the loop on the right.

There's nothing too important in the Shoebox. But it cannot be lost.
There's nothing too delicate in the Shoebox. But it must not be damaged.

There's nothing too embarrassing in the Shoebox. But it cannot be shown with pride.

There's nothing in. The Shoebox.

Yuen Family Gathering.

I never really understood those trees. Why are they there?

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The entire Yuen family gathered today. Grandpa, grandma, my two uncles and aunties and all my cousins, all gathered in old Melbourne town. It is a tradition after all; for the family to drop everything and go home to spend the New Year; although we're a little slack. Our last full gathering happened three years ago. Grandfather was over the moon over all his sons gathering for the new year; and I was eager to see my cousins too. They had driven down from Sydney, and were living at my grandfather's house for a week (17th Jan - 24st Jan).

And Because they were staying at my Grandfather's house, they will never be an ill supply of food. Asian parents are like that I guess, especially if they've gone through a war. To put it into context, my cousin Brian, said that he was absolutely stuffed, but continued to eat out of politeness. And he's the one that can eat a 2kg of Sarah Lee Lasagne in one sitting by himself.

I have to say that the week really went by like a blurr. It was the first time in my life in Melbourne that I had gone and done something full every single day of the week. It's amazingly tiring but enjoyable.

Sunday was a trip to Melbourne's CBD, walking along swanston street, Royal Arcade, Block Arcade. I love Melbourne's strange desire to have more café in it's alleyways than it can hold. The Sydney kids agree too.
I don't remember what happened on what day anymore. All I know is that we went to the beach once, and I got burnt. We went bowling once, and I got a score of 48; though i beat my cousin at pool. We watched Role Models which was surprisingly enjoyable and witty. We finished two bottles of 10 and 12 year old Scotch Whiskey between 4ish people. We went iceskating. We went indoor Rock Climbing. It was a jolly good time.

As usual, we took a complete family photo:

And less formal ones were taken too:

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I dunno, I like my photographs a little darker, with softer colours. Dad thinks it's unacceptable. What do you think?