A man is happy so long as he chooses to be happy and nothing can stop him.

Another shot of Ez up high above the clouds here in Hobart. There was a fair nip in the air, but you'll be glad to hear that we made it back down to sea level with all digits still intact.

It was not necessary to live among the wild beasts

Leaving on a jet aeroplane. Hobart International Airport, April 2010.

Someone must have anticipated the coming shift in temperature, and decided to head to Jamaica.

Dud move.

It Was Not Necessary To Study, by Regina Derieva

It was not necessary to study
the language
of a strange country;
anyway, it would be of no help.
It was not necessary to know
where Italy or England
is located;
travel was obviously
out of question.
It was not necessary to live
among the wild beasts
of Noah's ark,
which had just devoured
the last dove of peace,
along with Noah
and his virtuous family.
It was not necessary to strive
for some holy land
awash in milk and honey,
according to rumour.

I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches.

Some things - like this rock - are difficult to figure out.

For example, why is the team with the worst record in Bundesliga (the top soccer league in Germany) history called Tasmania Berlin-Gropiusstadt?

A proud Tasmanians, Henry, Ezra and I would dearly love to know...

Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance.

Jennifer and Ezra heading east atop Mount Wellington. May 2010.

Here's another in the long running series of our journey up Mount Wellington. You'll note dear little Ez™ is looking decidedly bulky (like one of those supremely unattractive thugby league players). The explanation?

One singlet, one t-shirt, one long sleeve t-shirt, one knitted jumper, one polar fleece jumper!

It kept the cold at bay.

All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy.

Ezra doing his best impression of a polar explorer.

Or 1920s flapper.

I can't decide.

A conqueror is always a lover of peace.

The view north from Salmanca Place in the evening, rendered as a 1980s synth-pop album inner sleeve. May 2010.

Theme Thursday and I'm in a rush! What a surprise.

WRINKLE. Hmmmm.

Wrin·kle. Noun. (rngkl)

Hmmmm.

"1. A small furrow, ridge, or crease on a normally smooth surface, caused by crumpling, folding, or shrinking."

Hmmmm. No.

"2. A line or crease in the skin, as from age."

No.

"3. A clever trick, method, or device, especially one that is new and different."

Closer. Far closer.

"4. A problem or imperfection; a fault."

GOT IT!

Combine four and three and I can link today's theme with the photo chosen randomly last week.

An unsteady hand, low levels of light and an unpredictable bus schedule lead to a series of photographs that exhibited a WRINKLE (that is, WRINKLE as outlined in definition four).

My WRINKLE (see definition three), was to utilise mediocre significant PhotoShop skills and render said presentable image through a "clever trick, method, or device" (not particularly new if you like Ah-Ha, of course).

So your verdict, did I manage it this week?

One thing that I have noted - and something for all you etymologists out there, is that WRINKLE comes from Middle English, probably from Old English gewrinclod, the past participle of gewrinclian, which means "to wind, or crease".

It shall be my personal crusade to rescue GEWRINCLOD from the rubbish bin of history!

It is even better to act quickly and err than to hesitate until the time of action is past.

Ah dae loch th' beavh. th' calmin' soonds, th' taste ay salt in th' breeze, th' nip ay th' win'.

Och ah dae loch th' beavh.

Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.

Morning is breaking over Flagstaff Gully. Geilston Bay. May 2010.

This was not taken this morning. This morning you would be lucky to see the hand in front of your face; fog as thick as pea soup!

All the better to be having day two off from work, this time recovering from the dreaded gastro.

It is difficult for a woman to define her feelings in language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs.

Here's a special blast from the past. Dear sweet little Ezra crawling around about this time last year. How time flies!

Ads that I like: #100

Opening gambit: our children are lucky because they will live far longer than us.

Flanking manoeuvre: they should thank their lucky stars that the medical science has made all of this possible. By 'medical science', read doctor (as in 'Mengele').

Frontal assault: the MAN who is RESPONSIBLE for prolonging your children's lives LOVES to smoke. LOVES IT. In fact, the smokes - POSSIBLY - explain his EXTRAORDINARY superpowers skills.

Dubious conclusion: Docs are TOPS. Docs love to SMOKE. Ciggies must be GREAT.


As a side note, I'd also like to draw attention to the fantabulous 'T-Zone' theory: FORGET THE EVIDENCE, your throat DOESN'T LIE. Even when you're bombarding it with carcinogens.

Life is wasted on the living.

Hinsby Beach, Taroona. May 2010.

One word: gastroenteritis.

I had rather have a plain Captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a Gentleman and is nothing else.

Attica.

With cushions.

Platitude: an idea (a) that is admitted to be true by everyone, and (b) that is not true.

Autumn on Parliament Lawns. May 2010.

I know that it is Autumn, but it is feeling more like winter. I must have taken this one in the first week of May, as these trees are nearly nude now.

It's kind of sexy, only the cold takes the edge off the excitement...

I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

Love means never having to say you're sorry...

[for dribbling all over someone when giving them a kiss]

When truth is discovered by someone else, it loses something of its attractiveness.

The fountain in Salamanca Square up close and personal. May 2010.

Crikey Moses it is cold this morning. The very heavy frost that is lurking about has mean that my fingers are struggling to hang out the four loads of washing done thus far.

Yes, it is a cruel world.

Today's Sunday Top Five: Five Places In The World I'd Rather Be This Morning...

1. Blackpool
2. Vladivostok
3. Montego Bay
4. Rostock
5. Pago Pago