Thoughts on news and the holiday season

I don't know about you but I'm thoroughly tired of hearing about the Islamic terrorist attack in Berlin and the many deaths and injuries. The shooting death of the Russian ambassaror in a Turkey art gallery, grevious bodily harm and subsequent death of a two year old child, domestic violence, a fly-by shooting at the office of the CFMEU; the stabbing (in the hand) of the tennis player Petra Kvitova, the terrible accident in which concrete slabs fell and killed a stone mason, the desperation of the Syrian people, the impending cyclone off the coast of Western Australia and the deaths from an explosion in a fireworks factory in Mexico. No wonder some people have given up watching the news and choose instead to watch trashy television. The lead up to Christmas then, is a time to escape into fantasy, a time when we allow ourselves to believe that things can be different; that Christmas, rather than a celebration on one day of the year is a period of cushioning ourselves from the terrors in world by surrounding ourselves with family and friends.

I'm desperate for some good news stories, at least enough to balance out the horrendous local and international stories being reported. I'm desirous of hearing about kindness, warmth, sharing and achievement; people loving each other rather than the absolute hatred and disregard that some people direct toward others. I wish that the tinsel and bright lights of this holiday season, the decorative trees and houses, the red Santa hats, the food, the presents and merriment leading up to the 25 December made a difference. To me the onslaught of negative news takes the edge of the notion of 'peace and goodwill to all men' (and women). For me, Christmas is shrouded in a delirium that I cannot shake. But, I vow to keep trying

To all my readers and to those who share my posts I wish you inner peace and love for the holiday season and all the very best for 2017.

Ingrid and her tin hat.

I think there might be a bit of a theme happening here. Waiting for the tram in Chapel Street, South Yarra this afternoon I noticed a young woman sitting on a bench outside the hairdressers. I commented on her 'tin hat' because the sun was bouncing off it and it reminded me of all the Christmas tinsel adorning shops.  'It keeps the alien's away' she said and we had a laugh. Of course she was waiting for hair dye to be applied to her bleached hair. I might had asked her what she was reading but I didn't because the tram arrived.

Ingrid, Chapel St. Photo: Julie Clarke (c) 2016

Not a partridge in a pear tree

Walking past the Melbourne Town Hall last week I noticed this beautiful image of a tiny sparrow sitting on top of one of the decorative trees on the pavement. Entirely appropriate that perched on the pinnacle the little sparrow becomes the star of Christmas.

Sparrow on tree. Photo: Julie Clarke (c) 2016

FULL MOON ON CHRISTMAS DAY - A RARE PHENOMENON

I hope that everyone enjoyed Christmas Day, I did even though I can't say I liked the heat. Thanks to my family and extended family for making the day great. I was lucky enough to see a rare phenomenon, which was the full moon on the evening of Christmas Day. The last time this was seen was on Christmas Day was in 1977 when my son was born. The next one has been predicted for 2034. Anyway, here's my hand held digital photograph of that lovely moon, with rabbit ears, or face, whatever way you look at it, it's beautiful.

Full moon, Christmas Day 2015. Photo: Julie Clarke

Citizen Park, Richmond, Christmas Celebrations 2014

Last night I went over to the Richmond Christmas celebration at Citizen Park and took a few photos. The Mayor of Richmond was there:
Brian Nankervis was the MC, but behind the scenes this conversation looked intense.

There were hats, some Christmassy, some not:

People shading their eyes from the sun

Blue hair:

Red hair:

And some intimate moments:

and the Choir mistress doing her best to conduct the young singers from one of the local schools: