One of the few Banky's left in Melbourne was inadvertently destroyed yesterday by workman installing pipes.

I walked passed the parachuting rat regularly and assumed it was a homage to the artist and I did witness the destruction.

As a sometime street artist I know that you need to consider work placed in the street as ephemeral. It could be removed or painted over at any time. Although sad it is the nature of street art. I will miss the cheeky rat however Melbourne is so lucky that it is a Mecca for amazing street artist and the lane ways of Melbourne a treasure trove.

What are you grateful for? The campaign that focuses on what is good in your life is coming to an end.

I have so many good things in my life I am grateful for:

• Living in Melbourne
• Partner and my family
• Friends
• Frolleagues
• All my virtual friends in Twitter and Instagram - props to you all
• The awesomeness that is my library PLN (personal learning network)
• A job which is ACE
• New running shoes that with hot pink laces. I think I run faster now!
• Craft time
• idevices
• My daughter's dog - Yumi
• Bike(s) - I try not to have a favourite
• Optimisim 
• The ability to dance, run, laugh and read
• TV marathons the last of which was season one of The Killing
• Nordic crime fiction
• Australian crime fiction
• Scottish crime fiction
• A bookcase full of books arranged by colour
• Trees outside my office window
• Gin
• Game of Thrones
• Getting to cross the Westgate Bridge nearly everyday
• Living in the West
• My health

I could keep going. I have a fortunate life and I am really grateful for all of you who share it.

Thank you. 

Check out the #gratefulinapril storify 

little brown sparrow
summer passed so quickly 
you don't want to go...

On the weekend I was privledged to attend a very special wedding. My friends David and Cameron were married. First in a civil partnership at the British Consulate (the day before) and then before friends and family in a ceremony in the Fitzroy Gardens. 

It was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended. The warmth, love and support for the happy couple was like a big comfy blanket encompassing us all. The wedding was elegant, simple and just right. 

I've been married and I am no longer. I am now in a loving relationship with a wonderful man and neither of us want to get married. But I believe that all my friends who are in same-sex relationships should be able to get married if they choose. 

Hair gone. I pulled faces the whole time ! But it was all for a good cause. Thank you for your support, kindness
and encouragement.

I am participating in World's Great Shave and on Thursday will be getting my hair shaved off. Yes I will be bald!

Although I do have short hair I am still nervous about how I will look without hair. I do hide out under my bangs and expect to feel a bit exposed without hair. However I will endeavour to cover up my baldness with hats, scarfs, hoodies and other assorted head coverings.

My hair is a big part of my identity and I am fortunate to be choosing to be without hair for a period of time. I am not sick and loosing it because of horrible chemicals killing cells in my body.

I have had some interesting responses to my choice to shave my hair off. My mother thought it was exploititive and silly. Why choose to shave off your hair? My reponse was that by making this symbolic gesture I could raise some serious money for a great cause. One of the students in my class has a daughter with leukaemia and she publically thanked me when I mentioned that I was cutting my hair off.

I have talked to many people who have participated in this fund-raiser in the past and noone has regretted it. As I keep saying it is only hair and it will grow back!

 

I've been tagged so here is a sample of my handwriting. It is usually a mix of cursive and print. My handwriting has detoriated over the years due to my reliance on keyboards. I am always envious of people with beautiful handwriting but not envious enough to work on improving my own. I have tried to write neatly in this example.

1. what is your name
2. blog URL
3. Write: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
4. Favourite quote
5. Favorite song (at the moment)
6. Favorite band/singers (at the moment)
7. Say anything you want
8. Tag 3-5 bloggers

Peace

 

A quick trip to the Ian Potter centre on Tuesday reminded me of the richness of Australia's art history. This is one of my favourite paintings from the visit.

Recently I was lucky to receive a wonderful package in the mail. In return for one of my amigurumi Barek sent me a collection of stickers (slaps). They are fabulous. Swaps are common in the street art community. I hope to arrange more.

As you know I am a big fan of Melbourne's street art. Found objects are one of my favourite kinds of street art. These are on the north bank of the Yarra River.