Graffiti

After seeing the grown up work of Kid Zoom it seemed appropriate to check out some in our neighbourhood.
As I took Spencer to get groomed (sounds flashier than cut) the owner of Seddon Deadly Sins was busy painting the wall of his cafe to wipe out some graffiti.
He said the same person had tagged the mirror in his bathroom! Had a coffee and gratified his cafe!!
We were admiring this on the opposite wall and he pointed out one on his door.

The one on his opposite wall.

Now this is what we liked!

This is at the bottom corner of his door

Suburban strange

Decided to spend Sunday morning exploring things in the city. Had a good trip from Nth Melbourne station (can park at the door) but puzzled by the escalators (when googling to find a pic of them most of the items were about them being out of order again, not been an issue for me)

The puzzle is that we are a keep to the left nation and the escalator of choice has been on the right and then hence the up also. I keep going to step on and have to quickly back off. Seems to be changed at last.

Anyway arrived at Fed Square to see an Exhibition by Ian Strange  a video photography Exhibition.
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The square was chokkas with people in for the Parkinson's Victoria  Walk in the Park. Their motto "Shaken, not stirred" They were coming off the walk but there must have been 1000's of people some for fitness , some for support and like this some for family.

Lots of groups with shirts dedicated to family members. One group had Johns Aunt, John's Brother etc 

 After this I went in to the Ian Potter  Gallery weaving my way past crowds there for the Writers' Festival (not something I've ever been to I must admit) to see Ian Strange's Suburban

A Popped up Bookshop in the courtyard.

 Ian Strange: Suburban was created by New York-based Australian artist Ian Strange. Since 2011 Strange has worked with a film crew and volunteers in Ohio, Detroit, Alabama, New Jersey, New York and New Hampshire to create, photograph and film seven site specific interventions incorporating suburban homes. 
As well as the resulting photograph there was video of the painting process he worked with the Fire brigade  in film or burning a house (seen at back of the crowd) 
Before he went to USA he did street art under moniker Kid Zoom. Interesting interview here. 
http://www.redbull.com/au/en/music/stories/1331605952799/ian-strange-rocking-the-suburbs
Must admit I found it fascinating if not necessarily understanding his reasons."to explore the notion of the suburban home and suburban identity as a whole. "

This was a deserted house in process The finished photo was eerie.

Another version of this has just the circle painted black 

My favourite is a whole House painted red.

The last minute catch up

One of the challenges Celia faces when she is home is trying to make sure she catches up with everyone. She doesn't try to sneak in and out of the country,  but usually we end up with an evening similar to last night, when she lets people know where she will be, and they can come if they are able. This time we planned to meet at the Seddon Wines Store.

The word went out and we had a rotation of people up to 20 with at least 10 there at anyone time.

the store is a small narrow shop with 3 benches and stools at the entrance and stools at a bar at the back.

I had been past quite a few times (and bought a bottle of wine) but obviously never on a Friday night.

It was a constant stream of people walking out with boxes or bags of wine.and the tables filling and emptying as we stayed on. At one point someone went up to order a glass of wine and was 10th in a queue!!

A few of the group (at back as well)

Celia holding court

We also ordered a few  ‘Grazing Plates’ consisting of prosciutto, pork and pistachio terrine, goat’s cheese, pickled onions, olives and sourdough. It was all very lovely and we were quite impressed with the portion size compared to the price, and then the pate! a must!

After the last group left a small group went on to Thai on Charles just around the corner for a lovely meal

A great farewell dinner

 What a wonderful farewell for my time at RCH!

 The Department of General Medicine, the team of paediatricians with whom I had been working  over the last seven years, (and in general for the last 29 !) organised a farewell dinner at Sosta Cucina in North Melbourne, handy for them after work.

Mike South, Department head was there, and spoke about my work with them, and it was a warm acknowledgement of my contribution to their care of babies and their families.

 It seems my feeling of my work as doing what I do well, well, is seen as special for them. 

Sarai, Libby and Meredith

The night generally was a high and I left feeling great!!

Julia and Kerry.

Campbell also spoke of my work with the Infant Mental Health team

 It was great to have Celia there as well, who reinforced my impression with some of her own.
 Thanks Celia!!

The beautiful brooch and chain I received

The food and wine was tremendous as well!!

Happy Birthday

It has been lovely this last 2 weeks to share in two celebrations for Gerry Silk's 60th birthday.

First was  a party at home of friends with lots of people last seen at her 50th!! 

Gerry surrounded by a few of her many friends 

Others more recently like the Rawson scrapbooking weekend.

 Then today we met for lunch at Medhurst winery in the Yarra Valley and shared wine, food and friendship chat for several hours; On a beautiful Melbourne day of 18degrees!!

The Long and Winding Road

Walking to Play group with Dylan is not a brisk thing.
There is always something to explore, test, double check and redo again.

The trip home was even slower!!