We had a farewell dinner for a team member, Ed, today. It started calmly enough in a nice Italian restaurant, but the time we hit the second coctail bar, I was glad the next day was a public holiday.
A good night out.
Day 101: Farewell
Category: 365 Project
Day 100: On Cloud Nine
Day 100 – feels like an achievement! I had hoped to do something special for the occassion but – appropriately enough – I spent the day travelling.
A few special moments above the clouds. Then frantic rush on the ground. Broken laptop. Last minute presentation prep literally in the lobby. On my colleague’s laptop. Great lunch. Productive meetings. Good coctails. Another mad rush.
Looking back, it feels like a pretty good analogy for my everyday life.
Day 99: The Gods of Photography
There are moments when everything lines up – the building facade, the old green Beetle, the surfboard… The gods of photography have given you their blessing.
There is also truth to the idea that the more you practice, the luckier you get. In photography, it can be changed to: the more you walk around frustrated, the less lucky you feel. But you do learn to appreciate the rare lucky shot.
Day 98: A Year’s Worth of Circus
Every spring, the circus school Alanna and Kiara go to puts together a final performance. The performers vary in age from 3 to 20+, and in skill from total beginners to the performing group, but the energy and enthusiasm are always there.
Unfortunately, the lighting looked great live but was less kind to photography. Any presentable picture required at least a fraction of a second of stillness, and there wasn’t much of that.
Day 97: Waiting to unfurl
The leaves and ferns in the forest are about to unfurl. The transformation is fascinating every year. It goes from spring to early summer in just few days.
Day 96: Gentle Walk
Alanna is still recovering from her cold. And I am still working long hours.
Luckily this time of the year means the sun is still high when I end my day. Good time for a gentle walk to the seashore.
Day 95: Backyard Friend
A squirrel has moved into a tree in our backyard. It is getting braver every day – probably as Merlin isn’t here to scare it away anymore.
I know I should probably chase it away, but it is just too cute. For now, we will live peacefully side by side.
Day 94: When the cat is away, the mice get sick
Stuart flew to Kenya for business today and, to no-one’s surprise, Alanna is now sick.
Luckily, she is already pretty independent. But even when I shorten my workday and work from home, she still ends up entertaining herself for most of the day.
A boring day for my little one!
Day 93: Khinkali
Georgian is one of my favourite cuisines. And khinkali might be the best thing it has given the world.
The girls agree. When Alanna was maybe four, we took them to a Chinese restaurant. She promptly burst into tears after discovering that the dumplings had no “soup” inside. She still asks every time.
So, for Stuart’s early birthday – Georgian it was.
Day 92: Queens of the Carousel
With a long weekend of Vappu celebrations and sun behind us, no one plans a trip to amusement park on the Sunday when the forecast promises rain.
Except us.
And it came together perfectly: the weather stayed clear, the rides were practically empty and, best of all, the girls had finally passed the next height limit, which opened up a whole host of new rides.
To use girls’ own words: ” Everything was the best!”.
Blue Moment 