Happy New Year 2014

Wishing you a New year
Which will look as one as one for you
May you be able to walk even though you are drunk

Before starting the new year celebration
Make sure that you are calling a Taxi
To take you home
Happy New Year

 

Today's quote: Let our New Year's resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word ~ Goran Persson.

Christmas in Australia

 

Above: On Santa's Knee


Many people when they think of Christmas, picture snow, fires blazing, snowmen built by happy children and happy people skating across the frozen lakes. But here in Australia, there is no snow, there are no fires and there certainly aren't any snowmen or skaters. Here it is the middle of summer, hot desert winds and the threat of bushfires. Most of the Christmas carols we hear are about the Northern Hemisphere - snow, cold etc.

 

Above: Australian Christmas Carol Book

But did you know - there are Australian Christmas carols, not that many perhaps, but we do have a few. One of my favourites is "the Three Drovers". The music and lyrics were both written by e used to sing this at school. Sadly, these Australian Christmas carols aren't played over the loud speakers in shopping centres on or the radio. I learned these when I was in grade 3 or 4 and still have my carol book (pictured above)

Here is my all time favourite Australian Christmas Carol, "The Three Drovers" - a drover is a chap who spends his live droving - moving sheep or cattle over long distances.


Today's quote: Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful ~ Norman Vincent Peale.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Many years ago, a talented American gent Clement Clarke Moore, wrote a poem about Christmas Eve and how Father Christmas or Santa Claus flies through the sky in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer and how he lands on the rooftops and comes down the chimneys to leave gifts for children. Little could he have known how popular his poem would become.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

 

Today's quote: Dear Santa, I already have everything I could possibly wish for this year. Got my family, good friends and LOVE. Please take care of those who need you. THANK YOU!! XX

11.12.13

 

Above: Melbourne Central Clock

Today, Wednesday the 11th of the 12th in the year 2013 is the last time we will see three consecutive numbers line up for 90 years. We will have to wait until 1st February 2103 for the dates to line up again.
The 11th day of the 12th month of the 13th year of the millennium. This is about time, hence I have chosen a timepiece for today's photo. Pity I didn't think to take the photo at 12 minutes past 11!

I am even setting this to post at 11/12/13.

Today's quote: The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time ~ Abraham Lincoln.

Theme Day ~ Looking Out

 

Above: Looking out at the traffic

Coming back from brunch one Sunday afternoon across town, I took the 'tourist' drive through pastoral hills and greenery, the Chandler Highway aka Tourist Drive 2. Traffic was at a standstill - approaching this bridge, I realised why. Half the bridge was blocked due to emergency road work around an electricity pole at the other end. What was a two lane bridge was now a one lane bridge - workman holding a "Stop" sign stood to direct one way of traffic. Looking out the side mirror to see the traffic build-up behind me, I took this photo. The iron bridge crosses the Yarra River in the Kew/Alphington area.

Edit: Many thanks to Andrew of High Riser for pointing out an error. The bridge is called the Chandler Bridge and the building of it was originally completed in 1891. To avoid confusion, I have removed the incorrect data which was in the original post.


Today's quote: Where ever I am I always find myself looking out the window wishing I was somewhere else ~ Angelina Jolie.

To see other participants of Theme Day, visit the City Daily Photo portal.