it came from outer space ...

p & i saw this at ray's tent city and realised the spaceship had landed, and then when it landed again it might like to try our backyard.
it is the event 14 shade

• Ideal for large groups and catered events
• UV Guard Protection 50+ UPF
• 75D polyester, 450mm PU
• Windstrong frame
• 8 shock corded poles strengthens the shelter and makes setup easier
• Air vent keeps the shelter cool and reduces wind lift
• CPAI-84 fire retardant compliant
• Side panel included
• Guy lines, pegs and storage bag included
• Additional side panels available as an optional extra
• 426 x 426 x 233H cm
• 17.3kg

available online from the camping megastore via ebay - $229 + $25 postage&packaging

it's christmas so in the foyer of my building there's been a giving tree with presents appearing below, slowly at first and then with increased urgency.
i spied one of the early presents, a 2m inflatable astronaut. wonderful. initially i couldn't figure out what you'd do with it. it seemed to me that filled with helium and floating close to the ceiling at a major tom party was its natural place. but then it clicked. floating in a swimming pool. cradling you in its arms. sublime!

someday hopefully not too far away

aaah manyana
i have no idea what this place is like (google maps can only tell you so much),

but some "tomorrow" i'd like to get to manyana

lots of beach houses there,
like this one, sea deck with a view out to green island and right on the beach

between cunjurong point and bendalong, north o' ulladulla and mollymook, south of jervis bay

local papers say that there is a suburb development on the horizon,

it's a gorgeous area - surrounded by lakes, sea and national park - but this means it would be bush-fire prone (we're in australia after all)
there were bushfires (deliberately lit) in september and november

around the corner is cunjurong point ... with the "cunji shop" - local landmark, apparently

here's a house at cunjurong point, 85 steps to the beach

puppy

oh what a sweet puppy!

this dog is from
ingalou in eltham, carroll@viewton.com.au, maree carroll ph 9439 9494
i've visited these people.
they had a lovely 18 month old boy, who came and sat on my lap. it was just like holding a tuba.
he was very handsome with a soupçon of silly
the ingalous have cats, so their puppies are cat-trained, cat-savvy
of course, all bets are off with cook & else
but still
(ingalou have no puppies at the moment, so this is just fantasy talk)

here is another dog, hunter from the greyhound safety net people
he is a retired racer and is "cat-friendly"

lane art

it's laneway commission time in melbourne

Laneway Commissions 2010 project brief (PDF)
Essential Criteria
• high standard of artistic/cultural merit and conceptual integrity
• innovation in approach to the art form
• innovation in interpreting specific sites and/or the public domain as a whole
• capacity to engage a selected audience
• evidence the project is well-planned and achievable within the proposed timeline
• financial viability of the project
• satisfactory response to the project brief

Desirable Criteria
Artists should also satisfy at least some of these desirable criteria:
• an ability to reflect or enhance Melbourne’s cultural diversity in areas such as ethnicity, age, gender, and ability
• a capacity to celebrate Indigenous culture
• a capacity to reflect or critique local identity, culture or character
• a capacity to attract a broad or a new audience