Goosebump Producers

Sometimes incredibly beautiful and touching things come from unlikely sources. Listen to the salesman and Connie and watch the reactions of the audience. They both gave me goosebumps.

More Rain...

That's right, more rain. We had a brief reprieve and some lovely blue sky was spotted through some clouds, and like I said, it was brief. Even the crazy guys on The Chaser's War Against Everything, sat on their set in the last show, with water pouring down on them.... in the studio. No, the roof wasn't leaking, they really are just crazy. If you live in Australia and you haven't seen the show yet, you're missing a treat. It's a little like "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" on steroids, except there are five guys who play host. These guys will do anything. They will say anything to anyone, they will do the most outrageous pranks, and nudity is expected if it will get a laugh. In the last show, one of the guys went from door to door as a porn star (one woman said he looked like a cross between Elvis and Borat). He started out as "Tool" porn guy, then "Pizza" porn guy, and then "Pool" porn guy. That was my favorite because he actually stripped down to a g-string with exposed, but very cute, buns. Many of the women he met knew what was going on and played along, but the poor elderly women were pretty shaken up - can you blame them?

Check out a video - you'll want to watch them all! http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=2765149300516224817

These guys are all talented - they can sing, dance, and act. One of my favorite bits is "When Life is Like a Musical." In the last show, two guys were in the emergency room of a hospital awaiting treatment, and suddenly stood up singing and dancing about having to wait so long. You have to see it to appreciate it.

Some interesting balcony news:
I have some regular lorikeet visitors and they almost always arrive in pairs. They are so cute snuggling on the "roost" and preening each other. Of course, all that lovey action disappears if I offer one a grape. Then it becomes "every lorikeet for him or her/self." One lorikeet, in particular, has stolen my heart. It's strange, because I love him for his orneriness. If I place grapes around the roost for him to pick off for himself, he'll go to each one, grab it, and throw it on the floor. He actually wants the grape, but he wants to be sure no other bird can get it too.I keep telling him that grapes don't grow on trees and he should be more grapeful, but .... oh well.

He also tries to peck my hand when I put food up for them. He just assumes I'm trying to take the food away - you have to admit that this is pretty cheeky behavior for something 10" tall. I then wave my finger in his face with him laughing and saying (to himself) "Hah! You don't scare me!!!" Two days ago I took out the cup of seed and held it for him to peck a few seeds out of it before I poured the rest on the plate. When I started moving away, he chose not to let go of his prize, and rode over to the plate perched on top of the little cup. He wouldn't let go until I had almost emptied the seed onto the plate. I've got to come up with a good name for the little guy - any suggestions? ....hmmmmmm.... maybe "Bird from La Mancha?"

And territorial? This little bird will fight, at one time, with one wing tied behind his back - crested pidgeons (one particularly persistent pidgeon), two king parrots (timid despite their size), two crimson rosellas (timid as well) and the occasional noisy mynah. The PPP (particularly persistent pidgeon) was almost as tough as the lorikeet. Unfortunately for the PPP, however, the lorikeet has help. Its mate flies up to the roof, looks down, and distracts PPP, whilst Mr. La Mancha charges head on for the attack. PPP doesn't stand a chance!

Finally, Tim and I had a nice Queen's Birthday last Monday. We took the dogs up to Pie in the Sky and had Devonshire Tea under the trees and overlooking the Hawkesbury River. Then we drove down to Brooklyn and walked along the water viewing the wrecked sailing yachts that didn't survive the recent storm. We saw five good size boats - one mostly submerged. Later we had a lovely fresh fish "tea" in an outside cafe (yes, the weather was perfect!) and strolled around the little town of Brooklyn. Well, the weather was perfect until we were almost home... and then, rain.

This is a recent not too horrible photo of me with long hair:



Last note: I just had a run-in with my little feisty feathered friend. He's getting more vicious, but maybe the weather is just getting to him as well.

Hugs,
Judi

Great versions of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah

1. Choir of Hard Knocks (easily #1)
2. k.d. lang
3. Jeff Buckley
4. Leonard Cohen
5. Allison Crowe (even #5 is still really good)

One of the great songs of the last half century.

Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen (from Leonard Cohen Live in Concert)

I've heard there was a special chord
that David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, Do ya?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor Fall, The major lift,
The baffled king composing, hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair, she broke your throne
she cut your hair and from your lips she drew a halleujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Baby I've been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone here before I knew ya
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
But love is not a victory march
No it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
Ah but now you never show it to me, do ya?
Well remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath that we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe there's a God above
All I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew ya
It's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
No, it's a cold and it's a lonely Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I learned to touch
I told the truth; I didn't come (all this way) to fool ya
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand right here before the lord of song
with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah…

The view from our window

Graduate Gavin!!

He did it! Gavin recently graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas. He had an academic scholarship for the four years and kept his grades up to maintain it. His degree is in Chemistry, and he is looking at options for medical school, research, or whatever other interesting opportunities come along. Wow.... to be almost 22 and have the whole world at your feet.... ugh! How terrifying!

Congratulations Gavin!! We love you!

Dad and Judi

Rain Rain Go Away and...

...go rain someplace that really needs it. If I sound morose, it's because it has rained for two days straight. I know I shouldn't complain, but it isn't just dark and cloudy. Water is actually falling from the sky and has for some time now. It always seems to catch my laundry on line (har har). I guess the clothes will just get extra rainshower fresh.

The leeches, familiar creatures to Tim on his walks after rain, are stretching their little bodies up trying to grasp onto the next warm-blooded body strolling nearby. They really are disgusting little creatures - they can crawl right through your sock -- just stretch their bodies long and skinny... Yuck. Tim wanted to throw away a good pair of socks because he had several in this configuration. I guess that's enough leech information. Although they say they use them in heart surgeries due to their anticoagulant properties. Visions of Alien I, II, ....

Speaking of creatures, but of a much more charming nature, are our possums visitors. I made a real breakthrough with one little guy who allowed me to feed him some bread - actually holding it for him while he munched away on it. You can't see in the photo below, but one eye is blind (I think), because it has a white disc covering the pupil. This possum usually has to combat a mum and her adolescent for the food, but he's smart enough to be showing up earlier and earlier in the evening. (BTW, the bread was whole grain and homemade, but they also like paw paws, apples, bananas, etc.) (photo will be added when site allows)

The colours now in Sydney are Autumn - bold reds, yellows and oranges. It's quite beautiful. However, since the weather is so mild, you will also see roses and other brightly coloured flowers. Despite the leaches, it's actually a nice time to walk this time of year -- warm enough to be comfortable and chilly enough not to get overheated. The dogs are a lot more active as well.

Tim went on a walk with two friends last weekend. I didn't go, because it was at least 10K with some difficult vertical bits. Let's be honest, I am not in that good shape. The walk was part of the Great North Walk and it spans between Cowan, NSW and Brooklyn, NSW.



The area is the Hawkesbury, a beautiful winding river that cuts in from the ocean less than an hour's drive north of Sydney. I thought you might enjoy seeing a couple of photos that Tim took on his outing.

I have two pairs of wet and bedraggled Lorikeets huddled together on the balcony. At least the roof gives them some shelter. Actually, that's why I built my little aviary in the first place - they always look so miserable in the rain.

Cheers! Judi