perfect day

As stated previously, Melbourne was amazing. Just the quick break I needed. Brian has lived there before, having been in Australia for almost two years now, and took the time to show me all his favorite spots. The first: one of the many alleyways reserved for graffiti artists. There are a few around the city and they're simply amazing. Colorful, imaginative art surrounding you, towering over your head up the walls. Love it.

A small tribute to the recently departed Lou Reed

Along those same lines, we spent a good amount of our walking time around the city seeking out and admiring street art. This was my favorite, and we stopped and talked to the man for a while. His name is Adrian, and we actually had a fascinating in-depth conversation about art history and theory and methods and more. Wonderful. Can't wait to be back in the city and spend some more time with him. 

Next up: the National Gallery of Victoria. A treasure trove of art and antiquities. We spent hours wandering around, gazing at portraits, feeling like we could speak to busts and statues, drawing inspiration from intricate patterns and techniques, and just immersing ourselves in other cultures styles and other people's genius. And I couldn't have been happier that we held hands as we explored and stopped to stare. Anyone else for acting out Ferris Bueller?

Love the work itself, and the gorgeous shadow it casts

Craving to dye my own fabric

The amazing stained glass ceiling over an expanse. The building itself  is a work of art, really enjoyed it. 

One man, myriad paintings.

Monet-still my favorite!

We learned that Salvador Dali was a screenwriter, too!

Always loved the colors of Rothko's work. Beautiful.

Of course there were many more adventures and new faces and places, but I really was too caught up in the moments in the best way possible. Love this city, and spending time with my personal tour guide. And for all your curious eyes, here he is! Not the greatest picture, but I love that it radiates his fun, friendly, happy, warm personality. Cheers!

the big smoke

Melbourne is awesome. A bright, welcoming city filled to the brink with all kinds of artistic ambition and talent. Brian and I have been spending our days wandering around, making friends with many of the impressive buskers, visiting museums and galleries, enjoying the harbor and botanic gardens, and just generally having the very best kind of lazy holiday. And our nights: either crazy and wild with all these new friends, or perfectly relaxed. Last night I cooked a simple dinner, then we just laid in bed reading until we passed out. Lovely. Haven't taken many pictures, been too busy absorbing it all with my own eyes, but hopefully I'll have a few to show by the time I'm back in Daylesford. Can't believe our time here is already up and that its back to reality for me tomorrow. Good thing that reality is a fun, creative life in a town I love!

oh happy day

Mail call! Our friendly mailman Jerry pulled up just as I was heading out to spend some time in the gardens. Can't wait to get home and open it with the kids. Told them a few boxes were probably on their way, and they've been as excited as if it were Christmas morning. Oh, sweet anticipation.
And in other great news, it's almost Halloween, and the day after, I get to head down to Melbourne to spend a week with Brian! Can't wait to have a little escape from domestic life and just relax. We'll be in town for Dia de los Muertos, so I'm determined to find some authentic Mexican food to celebrate. And Brian says that that holiday and Halloween descend from the Celtic New Years eve, Oiche Shamhain. Excited to get a full anthropology lesson on that.
After I get back to Daylesford, Sarah and the kids are heading to Bali to spend a week with Robert, so I'll be back in my old comfort zone of house and dog sitting! Old habits die hard indeed.

music man

Brian sends music recommendations on the regular (read: I have a new hand-selected soundtrack every day), and this band is just one of the latest. Definitely enjoy hearing something that sounds Celtic since it reminds me of his beautiful accent and lets me daydream about the day I make it to that part of the world myself. Hope you like it as much as I do.
And let me know what you're doing with your weekend in the northern hemisphere. It's been pretty mellow down here, let me live vicariously though you a little bit!

The Pogues- Love You 'Till The End