NIRVANA CLASSIC ALBUM TURNS 20...

When I tuned into Triple J this arvo on my way to work I was totally gob smacked to find that it’s been twenty years since Nirvana’s classic Album ‘Nevermind’ was released.  Twenty years!  Even more shocked to hear listeners ring up and say they were under five or not even born.  Seriously!  Oh, wow – what you have missed.

Nirvana, a grunge band out of Seattle, literally changed how I saw the world.  This is not an exaggeration.  Kurt Cobain – my God! Just the best and of course Dave Grohl – I mean look at him now (Foo Fighters).  I’d like to say I luv them as much but I just don’t...

I have to tell you listening to Triple J and some of the Nirvana tracks they played - Wow how powerful is music? - the memories it evoked where like BAM!  The year was 1991 ‘Nevermind’ had just been released.  I lived in Israel in the middle of the Negev Desert and every Friday night Shabbat (our one night off) we, the volunteers from all parts of the world, would head down to the only Israel night club, Givalot (yes in the middle of the desert) and rock out to ‘Smells like Teen Spirit’.  It’s the one song I can always remember everyone dancing too!  And I mean everyone.  As soon as the DJ spun the record you fought for every inch on the dance floor :)

Here’s that all time brilliant song best played loud!

I saved my pennies (a months pay was equivalent to about AUD $80.00) and I had to buy food for a month but I took the bus trip into Beersheva and spent AUD $15.00 of that hard earned money and bought the cassette ‘Nevermind’ – couldn’t afford the CD :)  It did the rounds on the Moshav – everyone I knew borrowed it and we thrashed it to death.  I have since had to buy the CD.

Another favourite of mine: (pretty difficult to choose actually since I luv em all)

Nirvana was God back then and while it was grunge it was fresh music.  It was beautiful, raw and sexy and we couldn’t get enough of it.  And then the albums that followed and the MTV unplugged – what an album that is :)

Then I returned home in Feb 1994 and two months later Kurt was dead.  I won’t even go into the deep loss and grief I experienced at that time – it was a double edge sword .  I had just left a world behind that I loved and didn’t want to be here in OZ and was grieving for my life in Israel and London and Kurt’s death compounded that – the life I grieved had truly gone.  Kurt and his music was so pivotal to one of the most magickal times of my life and now he was dead.  But this post is not about grief.  This post is about the celebration of a fantastic album, a brilliant band that had the most profound impact for their short time on the music scene.

And if you aren’t bored yet – here’s another:

If you are around  this Friday night and want to check out the release of their movie (their only LIVE show recorded on film) performing at the Paramount in their hometown then check all the details here screening in cinemas around the country – do yourself a favour and check it out.  Watch the trailer here 

 As for me I will have to wait for the DVD as I will be working :(

On that note I will leave you with another song I kinda rather adore: Click here or the vid below. 

Midnight rambler lost in a time steeped with memories that I’m so happy I was actually old enough to enjoy. Maybe being older ain’t so bad after all ♥  Skin the sun, Fall asleep, Wish away…

Is home where the heart is...

Home is where the heart is - or is it?

A question I've pondered numerously over the years. My heart belongs in Sydney - yet I live in BrisVegas!  Why not Sydney, my home?  The jury's still out on that one...

But having said that, it gets me to thinking about home and what it is or what home means, and as I grow older and move into being the creative 'goddess' I'm destined to be :)  I find Home means, and is many different things at different points in our life.

It could be: where you hang your hat; or living out of a backpack, something I've been known to do for three years at a time, travelling the world and exploring other peoples homes :) - it could be your campervan, one day I will no doubt hit the road in my funked up purple 'love bug' with hand painted peace signs; or a studio apartment in a major city, oh how I've loved this option; a share room in the back of someone's house, it's amazing how homely you can make a simple, small space; or a tree hut in the middle of the rainforest, haven't tried this one yet, but willing to consider.

Whatever Home means to you will no doubt change many times as life isn't static - but whatever 'home' means to you at this given moment, nurture it, cherish it, seek it out and let it wrap its arms around you welcoming you, giving you a SAFE place to fall.

Now, for some fun - enjoy LCD Soundsystem version of what home is by clicking on the video below or by clicking here and in the meantime drop me a line and let me know what home means to you.

Midnight rambler finding the earth beneath her feet...

A step or two backwards...

Many apologies for not blogging of late.  Considering my last post I’m not doing very well am I?  I was all geared up with Twitter, facebook and building my author platform…so where is it?  I haven’t taken a hiatus from social media intentionally. 

I’m sorry that I haven’t been communicating.  Life simply has got in the way of creative pursuits, much to my annoyance, as my life is mostly made up of working full time with ridiculous starts at 4.30am.  For those who know me personally – you know that this hour of the morning is normally my bed time…talk about a challenge!

I have been researching website options, hosting, vlogging and doing a ton of reading on the subject but and there’s a big BUT!  I find between juggling the full time job and family commitments it all very time consuming.  I know you’re supposed to be able to set up a blog within a few hours – I think I’m too fussy.  I spent hours scouring templates and happy with none of them!  Do you see the problem here? 

So my planned activities for Easter just didn’t happen.  The new blog is still not up and the website not even close to being built. 

How about you?  Did you achieve all that you planned over Easter and did you rest and relax and enjoy?  We have another long weekend here in BrisVegas so for us Brisbanites another chance to catch up on things that got missed last weekend.

I’m still in the process of creating some groovy slideshows of my travels to Egypt from way back in 2008.  Still not completed yet as we speak and I need them for tomorrow night for travel movie/photo night at friend’s house…nothing like a deadline to get me moving.  I really need to address this.  Really – it’s almost three years since that glorious trip and I still don’t have it all up and ready to present.  I will have by tomorrow morning though.

I’m uploading and burning as I write this to you J And after tomorrow night, the plan is to get a 'new look' blog up and running by the end of Monday night.  Fingers crossed I can make this happen and fingers crossed you no longer have to read my posts on this site.  I’m planning on something new, fresh and maybe even a little funky J

Best keep going…I will check in with you on my progress over the weekend…so maybe one more post on this site J

Midnight rambler slowly making progress…

finding strength and being connected...

"Never Fade Away’ speaks about finding strength from our families, the importance of family and also the importance of seeing all human beings as being connected and part of a global community. Never Fade Away, the music video, was all shot in our hometown of Melbourne, Australia. It features some of our regions finest multicultural artists, dancers and musicians, it’s recognition and a celebration of the strong multicultural foundation that is modern Australia." 

The above is taken from Blue King Brown's website which sums up this band beautifully.  I have seen them perform at one of The Cat Empire gigs.  They are amazing. 

Lately, I have been thinking about so many things.  Have just started a new job that has many challenges and the one thing I keep coming back to, besides writing, is travelling and what I love most about travelling.  It's the culture and the celebration of culture and the global connectedness.  I think this song is fitting and a reminder of how important it is to stay connected to the world and not just our personal patch.  Enjoy :)

Midnight rambler attempting to stop the itch in her feet...

Worlds + conventions + writers + bar + alcohol = good times and dancing magickal faeries armed with pixie dust…

Having just got back from AussieCon 4 (the 68th World Science Fiction Convention) held at the MCEC in Melbourne, I think it is fair to say I had a blast along with my fellow comrades from Writers on the Edge, Ladies Wot Write, and the graduates of Clarion South pre and post 2007. For the most part, most of them were present (even one from as far as the US) but perhaps not all at the one time.





My writing buddies from LWW - Moi with Jane Domagala, Rebecca Livesey and Sharon Phillips
~Photo by: Jane Domagala



 












Sean Williams, mentor, buddy and just the best guy ever and (oh, a brilliant writer) was unable to make it due to being seriously ill. He was missed big time by soooo' many people! And I know how disappointed he was to have missed it.

Fellow Edgers: Nea Beauville, Deb Kelly and Chris McMahon
~ Photo by: Jason Nahrung

Fellow Clarionite, Ben Francisco and Moi
~ Photo by: Jane Domagala

  
















I attended both the Ditmars and the Hugos and was honoured to be amongst so many talented writers. Many of the nominated were my writing buddies, mentors and peers and quite a few of them brought home awards. YAY!

The Ditmar winners can be found here
The Hugo Winners can be found here

Moi with the lovely, Jane Domagala
~ Photo by: Jane Domagala

I made a promise to myself to travel light and buy no books! Is that a dumb idea or what? Of course I had to buy books…but space was limited so I only managed five which considering my severe lack of space in my bag, that was a pretty good effort. I have had to order the rest I wanted online.

The thing with World Con (which was brilliant by the way) is that it was so spread out. There were so many people (new friends and old) that I was hankering to hang out with, but it just wasn’t always possible. Most times it was snatches of hugs, conversation and waving from the distance - still brilliant either way.



Rob Shearman reading his delightful story
'One Last Love Song'
~ Photo by: Jason Nahrung

For as many panels, book signings, book launches and readings that I attended there was equally, if not more, I missed. If I could have split myself into several pieces, I would have seen and done a lot more. But alas, there is only one of me.

It was quite fun getting kicked out of the bar at 2am on more than one occasion or not depending on how you look at it. But those of us who were kicked out (you know who you are) would all agree that it was fun :)

Oh, and I lied – there were no dancing magickal faeries except for the really drunk one dancing on the bar (ahem, you know who you are) ;)

The five days rolled around all too quickly - then depart Melbourne for BrisVegas:

• Home for one day – quick changeover of clothes and off again…
• Join me next post for Writers on the Edge annual retreat…

Midnight rambler off ‘into the wild’

Renewed Passion...

Well, I think I finally figured it all out. I’ve been going around chasing my tail of late and not getting very far. Confusion, indecision, lack of clarity, fogged brain, stress and literally going around in circles with the same conversation.


The decision making process has been a difficult one but an interesting one and in the course of all this muddied waters, it now has become clear. Don’t you just love that?

Opera House - Sydney

For the past 16 years, I’ve been struggling with the fact that I live in Brisbane. There have been many reasons why I’ve chosen to be based here, but I’m a Sydneysider through and through. The Eastern suburbs are what I identify with and because of my nomadic nature this is as close to calling somewhere home I will probably get. My recent visit there restored my energy and reignited my passion and when I make lots of money, I shall definitely move back.

Redcliffe Jetty

But in the meantime, what I have learned is that everything is relative. And where I currently live, here in Brisbane on the peninsula of the beautiful Moreton Bay, I realise I could be anywhere in the world. I can be lost in the silence and the peace surrounded by the never-ending ocean and sky, birdlife and birdsong, nature and beauty all around, jumping fish, and sometimes the occasional dolphin.

Queen's Beach, Scarborough

It’s in these precious moments of appreciating my surroundings that I realise where I live is truly magickal and enchanting.

Often it reminds me of my most other favourite place in the world (I have a few…) Dahab on the Gulf of Aqaba in the Sinai, Egypt. Besides the camels lumbering past and horses galloping down the beach with wild Bedouin horsemen yelling ‘Yallah, Yallah’ - I could very well be in Egypt.

Dahab, Sinai Egypt

And when the water is crystal clear like it was today – I could be in Koh Samet, Thailand.

Koh Samet - photo: courtesy of taxikohsamet.com

I find it rather exciting that on any given day my surroundings can transport me to anywhere I have visited in the world because of its little reminders, or similarities, or just the bliss of it all.

So in conclusion – my passion for Sydney remains, but I feel much more at peace with where I live. And every day out here on the bay is magick no matter the weather. It’s peaceful, and quiet, and delightful and serenity at its best. So for now, until it’s time to move on, I find myself being a rather contented Brisbane based writer.

Midnight rambler signing off – PEACE OUT ♥

Scott's Point

A WICKED return home...

Where does the time go? What happened to my regular blogging? Weekly feature song? Clearly, I’ve been off track, lack of clarity in so many areas of my life, with writing being just one of them!



However, today some clarity has returned and because it may only last a day, or an hour, I feel this overwhelming urge to blog – YAY! I’ve just had the wonderful opportunity of returning to my old stomping ground, the Eastern suburbs of SYDNEY.

Vaucluse

Besides a short trip in 2008 that had me laid up in bed with a virus from hell, I hadn’t been back to explore since I left for grander things like ‘London’s calling’ in 1991.


How could I go so long without returning to my home? Extraordinary isn’t it? I have no idea why but that’s about to change. It was wonderful to take my partner in life and in crime, David to share the experience. We visited the bays from Rushcutter’s to Vaucluse, immersed ourselves in the beach culture from Bondi to Bronte. We ate good vego food and drank fab coffee. We walked the streets of my stomping ground in Woollahra and Paddo, wandered around the Saturday markets held in the historical Paddington Uniting Church grounds, to hanging out in Centennial Park!!

Woollahra

A stroll around the wonderful terraced houses that line the tree filled streets, old corner pubs and houses converted into hip, cool and funky eateries. Dogs of all shapes and breeds, sitting obediently by their owners side while they ate and drank coffee in the sidewalk cafes. Love the zany people of Oxford Street carrying designer pups in designer bags and this is the men!!

And the icing on the cake was seeing the Musical ‘ Wicked’ inspired by the novel 'Wicked: The life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West' written by Gregory Maguire, a parallel novel of 1939’s Frank Braum’s classic film ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’. Wicked has been a musical I’d been aching to see since its release in Melbourne July, 2008. It didn’t disappoint as It was a night filled with magick, art, culture, and an exquisite taste of something my heart aches for when I return to Brisbane. It’s not just the show, it’s the glorious old theatres such as the Capitol theatre which opened in 1928 and later restored in 1995, with its marble staircases, twinkling stars in the ceiling, velvet drapes and box seats.


These theatres take me back in time, and their beautiful restoration of historical buildings add flavour and character and fits comfortably within the modern architecture of a revamped downtown Sydney. WICKED was worth every penny spent, from the A Reserve dress circle seats, to the program and the two tees I couldn’t resist. My only regret was not buying the ‘wicked green dacquiri’ served in a keepsake plastic martini glass that lights up and glows every colour of the rainbow!! Soooo’ very groovee!!


The cast were magnificent, Lucy Durack as Glinda, the good witch of the north. She was fabulous and had a voice that could shatter glass. Patrice Tipoki as Elphaba, the future wicked witch of the West had some amazing witchy, flying moments. Tim Campbell as Fiyero (some might know him for his character Dan in Home and Away) was delightful and sang and danced better than I expected. Maggie Kirkpatrick well known for her role as Fergie, the freak from Prisoner, was brilliant as Madame Morrible. Rodney Dobson as Doctor Dillamond, the goat like creature was awesome, and then there was Bert - Bert Newton as the Wizard. His performance of ‘Wonderful’ was quite wonderful :) The music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz was brilliantly delightful. The story telling of life in OZ before or around the introduction of Dorothy was spellbinding, unique and beautiful.


The stage design remarkable, from the dragon on top of the stage to flying witches on broomsticks, flying monkeys, dazzling, sparkling lights of Glinda the good witch and a cast that made you laugh and cry. Brilliant, whimsical, magickal and an extraordinary delight which now has me scouring the shelves of 'Blockbuster' for Judy Garland in the classic itself, and enjoying it again from a whole new perspective, especially now I know how the witch from the West became truly WICKED!


Wickedly entertaining and I give it 5 stars and then some…


Watch the promo here


And, last but not least - as you leave the theatre and the magick within, this sign hangs above the exit door:

‘YOU ARE LEAVING OZ, REALITY STRAIGHT AHEAD!


Aaah *sigh*


Midnight rambler – back to reality! 

Death on the Nile...

And part II of many more misadventures of the midnight rambler...

'Old Cataract Hotel' -
featured in Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile

Desert, sand and the Aswan Moon

Part I

of more misadventures of the midnight rambler...

All things bizarre!!

A link to my latest travel article on the Khan el-Kalili. 

Chat soon with more misadventures of the midnight rambler...

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost...

This is a separate post to the song of the month – it’s about music, storytelling and culture and something I wanted to share with you all. If like me, you life is affected and touched by music then this is a must see DVD and definitely a must have CD to add to your collection.


This CD is very rarely off my player – it’s so brilliant. And with the brilliant minds of Jamie Catto from the British dance act Faithless. This is brilliance at its best. Catto has produced numerous Top 10 hits worldwide. His 1 Giant Leap counterpart Duncan Bridgeman has produced and worked with Transvision Vamp, The Eurythmics to name a few...


I Giant Leap travelled to over 25 locations in 20 countries worldwide - Their Mission?

• To celebrate unity through human diversity with musicians, storytellers, film makers, artists and thinkers from all cultures of the world.

View this little snippet into an amazing wonderland of cultures and music. It’s visually spectacular and one of the most incredible albums produced in recent years.

View here click on view DVD and click to stop the music from CD just above it. View in full screen mode for the best appreciation and visit here and here for more info on the project.


Ma’ Salaama :)

To know the road ahead, ask those coming back. ~Chinese proverb~

Listening to: Roots n all – Triple J

I haven’t posted since my return from Egypt and quite frankly I’ve had nothing to say – well at least I’ve felt like I’ve had nothing to say (surprising to some I’m sure, ahem). So many things happened on my return that it’s taken me this long to process what has happened and my reactions to them. Now, I feel I have some head space to say something. Attending the Aurealis awards on Saturday night had something to do with that. So good to reconnect with some very special people. And HUGE congrats to all the winners and nominees. Let’s not forget the nominees, having your work nominated is confirmation that these are amazing writers worthy of an award. And of course let’s not forget everyone else who was published in the past year but not nominated. Should we be offering them commiserations or still a big congrats for getting their work out there? I think I will go with the latter. I feel lighter and stronger for having these amazing people in my life. For all the award winners and nominees check it out here

So…to get back to having something to say – or perhaps more appropriate, having something I WANT to say. On my walk today the ocean was tumultuous, murky – a bit of a reflection of not so much my mood but my direction in life. My journey personally and as a writer. A journey that will no doubt take a different direction in the coming months/years. I’m at a crossroads – just what path will I take? Interesting times we live in. I returned to a global recession, which is bound to have an impact on all of us in one way or another.

On my walk I found myself so lost in thought and the murky depths of the ocean waves crashing against the rocks that I had walked much farther than I had planned. It is so amazing to be so lost in thought sometimes, even though I try to live in the moment, but for that moment I was. I was lost in nowhere space and it felt nice, comforting and creative.

In this moment of being ‘lost in nowhere space’ I was sort of in the past as well – no it was more like a ‘living in the moment’ kind of realisation. Never before have I found a place in the world I feel like I totally belong until now! I’ve travelled wide and far and don’t usually like to return to the same place time and time again (with the exception of Thailand). Even great hols in Australia – I like to see new places and experience new things. So this is a bit of a mind bend for me to realise that my heart belongs in the Middle East. I knew I always loved it, having spent a month in Egypt in 1991 and lived in Israel for 6 months near the Gaza strip (sad stuff that’s going on and has been going on for years) may peace be upon the region soon. I thought perhaps going back this time I would feel differently but now after this visit my feelings and thoughts are even more intense. Two months travelling Egypt and Jordan has made me question everything! From Islam, living in the East versus the West, third world countries and so on…

It’s difficult for me being back in Australia in so many ways. I have and am still going through some severe Ozzie culture shock, but for now there isn’t a lot I can do about it (it takes $$ to travel) but accept, and acknowledge my feelings, desires and the part I play in my OWN life. My life can be anything I want it to be, I can make my desires a reality. I have choices and that is magickal and important and I don’t take any of it for granted. So in the meantime while we go on this journey of an economic downturn I choose to immerse myself into my writing and make the commitment to be a better, stronger writer. Enjoy the journey with its ups and downs and learn from my peers and other writers. And as they say: ‘It’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey.’

So here’s to all of us on our personal and professional journey’s whatever they might be – May 2009 be a year of reflection, doing and achieving and perhaps even some soul searching. I made my New Year’s resolution and so far am adhering to it: ‘To honour and nurture my spirit.’

What resolutions have you made and are you sticking to them?

Midnight rambler signing off...Salaam Alaykum

Border Crossings, Valley of Moses and The Rose Red City...

Listening to: Waves crashing against the shoreline

We've just returned from Jordan and WOW!! I lost count on how many border controls and crossings we took to overland and get there - but was it worth it or what? Somewhat disappointed that we didn't have time to return to Israel and revisit the great country I once lived in - maybe next time...

Anyway, finally arrived in Aqaba and took the two hour journey to Wadi Musa (Valley of Moses) and then on to one of the 'new seven wonders of the world Petra aka 'Rose-Red City'. The Nabateans (desert tribes) sculpted this amazing city hidden from the rest of the world from towering rock walls of multi-coloured sandstone. This ancient city is found via the Siq a canyon-like passageway of amazing rock and while the Treasury, Petra's most famous monument is where most people stand in awe, I have to say the Siq was pretty damn impressive all by itself. Don't get me wrong the first glimpse of the Treasury is very impressive and amazing but the Siq was particularly special. The colours in the rock, how the light played with shadow and colour and because we were fortunate enough to spend most of the half hour walk it took us (too many photo stops) we had it pretty much to ourselves which made it even more special. The magick of the silence, or the echoing of voices up ahead, or the galloping of horses hooves from behind as horse and carriage came tumbling through the narrow canyon. Loved it, loved it, loved it!!

Once inside the site there is so much to see and do it's not possible to see all in one day. You are able to purchase a 1, 2 or 3 day pass - the latter is practically how many days you need to see everything provided you are fit. Since we only had one day to explore we stuck to the main sights: the royal tombs, street of facades, the roman style theatre, to name a few. We had the best day and our clothes full of Petra sandstone and dust were testament to a day of walking, climbing and exploring Petras' ancient city.

Jordan was an unplanned spur of the moment excursion and what an adventure and lovely surprise it turned out to be. There is sooooo' much to see and do in Jordan, three days is nowhere enough time to explore this amazing country. We stayed in a very basic backpacker hostel in Wadi Musa but it felt more like a homestay as the hospitality of the owners exceeded anything I'd expect from any groovee, chilled out backpacker haunt. It was as though we were in their home - well I guess we were really, a home with a lot of bedrooms :) We were made so welcome and we had a traditional Jordanian meal cooked for all of us on the second night of our stay (about 12 all up) in the dining room followed by chatting and drinking tea in the living room with travellers from all over the globe - just fabulous!! Ooooh, did I mention how cold it was - very high up in the mountains - 1100m above sea level. So it's official I'm totally in love with the Middle East and its people and will return time and time again. Now, if only my books would sell...

On our return to Egypt we thought in our wisdom that we would treat ourselves to a semi-upmarket hotel in Nuweiba before returning to Dahab. When we finally made it off the ferry from Aqaba and through Immigration and bartered a reasonable price for cab to take us to chosen luxury we found it closed, desolate and empty!! It was like a ghost town, eerie, abandoned, dust collecting all over the place, tables turned upside down, pool empty and one lone security guard informing us that it was no more and to continue further up the road after we'd already wandered the empty corridors for at least ten minutes as it was all open to the world except for tourists. There were some hotels open for business but pretty dead - not much happening and very expensive for not much luxury. So in the end we concluded Bohemian, backpacker heaven of Dahab was the place to be and caught a mini bus back for the 1 1/2 hour drive as we'd long missed the last public bus back.

Aaah, home. It seriously feels like home, welcomed back by all the Bedouins with their happy, smiley faces and hugs - so warm and welcoming. What's not to love about this place? We're currently overlooking the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Aqaba which is pretty hard to beat from anywhere I've visited in the world including Australia!!

The days are coming to an end and while you read this post it's already Xmas day in Australia. It is Xmas Eve for us and tomorrow we will celebrate Xmas in the desert at a Wadi with the Bedouins!! How good is that?

Right now I feel very thankful to be part of this amazing culture and spending time with such beautiful people. There is a great sense of sadness too upon the imminent end to this journey. Boxing day is onwards to Cairo before our journey home...Might be my last post for awhile, so until then Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you all and may all things magickal come your way inshallah.

Midnight rambler wishing you Salaam Alaykum!!

Contemplation, Celebration & some of life's footprints...

Left: Crysta Right: Magicka

Listening to: Like Drawing Blood - Goyte

It feels like the rapid descent to the end of December which means the end of this awesome trip!! Lots of things to think about upon our return - priorities in life etc and how to go about making subtle or not so subtle changes to move into a more authentic life :)

Missing Mum, (no pix of Mum on me) Magicka & Crysta like crazy.

It must have something to do with being away (our first real OS holiday in ten years) and stopping. Having time to think, reflect, feel. How much of our life is lived on automatic pilot that we don't stop and find the stillness to just sit with thought - not necessarily grieve, but more remember and rejoice in their lives whether they are still with us or departed?

It's coming up to Mum's 10th anniversary on the 22nd of this month. It's been a surreal time for me as my subconcious has been playing tricks on me by giving me thought patterns about Mum in the present tense eg: Must tell Mum that when I get home, or Mum will laugh so hard when I tell her this... then the reality hits me. The crazy thing is I am all too well aware that she's not here doh, but for a nanosecond or two my mind tricks me into thinking it so - and the same goes for Magicka & Crysta. Has anyone else experienced this? Of course I miss Mitzi but in a different way as I know from regular reports from home that she is well and happy.

I'm glad we're spending Mum's anniversary and Xmas in Egypt - it's actually nice to be immersed in a completely different culture who don't celerbrate Christmas as we do. No jolly fat men in red suits,no Xmas trees or lights or decorations, no crazy last minute shopping to where you can't breathe from the suffocating crowds. It makes for a nice change :)

Seventeen years ago I spent Xmas in Israel which was amazing to experience the complete absence of it. This year will be in Egypt and besides some festivities from the Christian community, it will be very low key - a nice quiet reflective moment. As Mum was never fond of Xmas either, being in this part of the world at this time somehow brings my link to her even closer.

While I feel sad and contemplative, Iwill be rejoicing and celebrating the memory of Mum, and my kidz life in a magical setting. The Sinai. A rugged land of dry desert mountains that shifts and changes in colour by the rays of the morning and evening sun. A land known throughout history for its prophets and nomads. It is this I relate. It is this I know my mother relates which is possibly why I'm missing her so much. If I stop and listen hard enough I think I'll find I don't need to miss her as she's already here :)

Midnight rambler wishing you all Salaam alukum (peace be upon you)...

Celebrations and sadness...

Listening to: Bongos playing in the bazaar

We're celebrating Eid at the moment. All very festive and it may be about as festive we get here in Dahab which suits us just fine :) The place is booked out with locals from all over Egypt celebrating their Muslim holiday and feast - festival of sacrifice. While it's not something that appeals to me as a vegetarian the purpose and belief behind the practise is one of sharing, love and community. So this is a good thing and the spirit here is delightful.

We made a decision and cancelled Thailand. We have plans to explore the Sinai further and visit Petra in Jordan and perhaps revisit Israel. So Xmas it is, in the Middle East - we are looking forward to it being very low key and laid back. Just loving the pace of life here and my head spins thinking about the chaos of Xmas back home :)

Dave had a wonderful time out with the Bedouins but he says he won't be trading in Mickey (his horse) for a camel anytime soon as he had rather a sore bum and thighs LOL. He enjoyed the Oasis, the three pools and the hospitality of the Bedouins. He's been loving the snorkelling right next door to where we are staying at Eel garden and further afield the islands . I lie in the sun and relax. Snorkelling sounds like hard work LOL. He said the coral shelf is amazing with some fantastic fish, not to mention Moray eels, puffer fish, sea urchins which kinda freaked him out a little. Once he got past the coral shelf the whole thing drops away into the depths of the ocean opening up to live coral of all brilliant and spectacular colour with fishies and other things (all beings uncertain) hiding beneath the coral and ocean floor. Each time he goes out he returns with a huge grin on his face so he's loving it. Me...I'm still trying to get it but then I'm not a water baby.

I'm feeling sad today for we found out that 'Foxy lady' died three days ago. We were wondering where she was and I feared that something awful had happened. It indeed had. She was poisoned and by the time the Vet came it was too late. Apparently, this is the governments way of keeping the street dog numbers down except they don't bother to inform anyone so the pets end up being a target also. Apparently, quite a few dogs/pets died in the town also. It's just sooooo' sad. Foxy Lady (real name Nancy - well no, her name is the Arabic version of Nancy which I can't remember) was a gorgeous, lovely girl. She left behind several young pups who are being hand-reared by the Bedouin boys from Sheikh Salem House.

We have more to plan for the rest of our Middle Eastern trip so had better go and do some research.

Midnight rambler signing off - ma' salaama...

Sparkling ocean and clear skies...

Listening to: the sound of the ocean

Our Dahab days of clear water, sunny clear skies and smiling faces are coming to an end :( In hindsight I wished we'd booked for longer. Maybe we can still reschedule our flights - but Egypt Scare - oops I mean Air, is a little dodgy and never seems to have vacant seats but we can try. Still waiting to hear back from our travel agent to see if we can change our Thailand plans slightly, which would give us a bit more time for things to hopefully settle down. We feel that some of our days in Dahab have been wasted due to our concern with Thailand and looking at other options as it was only yesterday the airport cleared and we're still be warned by Australian officials not to go there, but the airlines or travel insurance don't quite see it that way...

Dave is off on a snorkelling and camel ride expedition into the Wadi's of the Sinai with a Bedouin guide, Ibrahim. He is expected to be gone all day and I'm very keen to catch up on all his adventures. I'm still full of the flu - that he gave me!! so am going to lie in the sun for awhile and read my book.

Oh, and there is this adorable dog that hangs out with us, I've nicknamed her 'Foxy lady' coz she has the face of a fox and she is ever sooooo' cute :)

Midnight rambler wandering off into the desertscape....

Uncertainty...

Listening to: A cat crying

With Thailand's civil unrest we are left wondering what to do? However, we are grateful that we are not currently caught up in it. We are pretty much wasting today trying to figure out where to go from here. Do we reschedule all flights? cancel them? stay here? Shit!! We are supposed to be in Bangkok next Tuesday and while it may all be over by then - what if it isn't and we are being advised by officials not to travel anywhere in Thailand. So...I'm off to look for a decent coffee in a cafe by the ocean in a sunny spot and ponder our dilemma...

Ciao