Umm...

Seems we guage ourselves on the success (or lack of) against our peers. It's always nice to be recognised for the ball breaking work you do, the hours you put in, and the crap you wade through in order to get something to print that resembles an accurate and well presented representation of the job at hand. But let's not hold our breath, that only leads to a blue face and a plummet to the floor to regain consiousness. More often than not all the running around, extra hours and monkeys on our back leads to one thing, dissatisfaction with the final product. Of course it does, because the final product isn't really in our hands anyway, it's the monkeys who have the final say, with little thought as to what actually makes a good front or a decent image. Another day, another hacked or completely disregarded image.

The more I dwell on the concept (and let's face it, I am becoming a little bitter and twisted) the more I realise the importance of the schmooz and the squeaky door gaining the most oil theory. Clearly the head down, bum up philosphy of working hard and creating few waves just doesn't cut it in these times.

Expect nothing and be surprised when something actually comes your way.

And what did you do Friday night?

The Twisted Sisters (team 58) training session Ferntree Gully - Mt. Evelyn.

A little over 6 hours and 25km later, at approx. 1.40am this is what a full week of work followed by a trailwalker training session looks like. Note the glazed eyes and insane giggly grins on our faces. Maybe it was the warm night air, maybe the nibblies of sugar along the way, or maybe there really was something a little extra in those staminade drinks after all, but we all moved along at quite a good pace I thought.

We looked feral, had sweat and dirt caked all over us and the feet were just starting to want to have a rest but the satisfaction of making it through our longest night session yet was well worth it.

And here's that trailwalker link for donations: http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/melbourne/team/58

RAIN!

As I was on my afternoon walk, getting the legs prepared for this big undertaking in a few weeks, there was this wet stuff falling from the sky... at first I wasn't sure what it could be, maybe the world was imploding or something, then it occurred to me, like a clap of thunder (actually, maybe it was because of the loud clap of thunder overhead) It was raining!

Oh joy, and childhood giggles of delight! I was like a young girl thrilled by the rain after a hot day, grinning like I was up to no good and holding my hands out to feel the drops falling.

When the rain cleared and all that was left was the stifling humidity of a hot Summer day, a rainbow arched across the sky and for a few minutes I was miles away as I watched it fade away. Damn! I missed the pot of gold again!

So...

Between walking, working and struggling to deal with people that frustrate me I've been getting to thinking that a month and a half into the new year, (the year I said I'd be focussing a little more on making a positive step forward into my own ambitions and goals) I realise there are still so many steps I need to make.

Is this what self doubt looks like? Or is it the destruction of self due to the desperate need of a holiday?

These boots are made for walking.... a long way.

In a moment of madness and possible insanity I; along with three others decided to enter the Oxfam Trailwalker 100km's in 48 hour challenge.... again! (You'd think we would've learnt our lesson the first time.) Three of the four have attempted this beast before, and failed, but thanks to our stubborn little heads can't seem to let it go. This time we will succeed, we hope.

Training is well underway, and with only 6 weeks left before the big challenge, we're all starting to feel a little ill at the thought of the pain we're submitting our bodies to.

OH, and if you feel the urge to donate to our wonderful little team of mad women and feel a part of it without any of the agony feel free to visit the Oxfam website and donate to TWISTED SISTERS team #58, at http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/melbourne/team/58 and follow the links. And they're tax deductable, so you benefit too!

and now a thought...

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great." MARK TWAIN

As I arrived at another day of drudgery and confusion I flicked the quotable desk calendar, and there it was, a statement that could very nearly be the quote for the year in the world of little em! Stay tuned, I'm sure there'll be more to come.

Climbin' like we used to

This is more proof than making a statement. A year since we last climbed at Mt. Arapiles both the spunk and I had a bash (and I do mean 'bash') at a climb. Follow Your Nose. grade 22

We both failed, though Steve was showing far better technique than me, and therefore progressed much further on it than I did. For someone who is determined to announce he's not a climber any more, he certainly made it look good.

While I was predominantly up at the rock to photograph other people, it was a bit of fun to hang around and play on the rock again, and great to hang with friends in such an incredible location.

Stocktake...

Between my previous entry and the current date, there was the drama, stress, chaos and ultimately relief of moving house. I think we're finally feeling at home (until the next time - damn rent!)

Anyhoo, along with moving comes boxes, and along with boxes comes sorting, so I've been sorting through accumulated 'stuff' and come across a few rather fun little finds. It hasn't been restricted to the boxed stuff, I was on a roll and started going through my images and cd's loaded with images from the past I don't know how many years. I stumbled across this little stunner from 2004? When a bunch of mates and I went on a road trip to the Blue Mt's for a climbing cram fest.

As can be read from the image I had a few falls one particular day. It was worth it though, reminds me of a time when I threw myself at my sport with a vigour and energy that I haven't felt for a while.

Stocktake: climbing, get fit campaign, passion.

Some room for thought

I got to thinking in the last twenty four hours or so; that my life is so much bigger than I am allowing it to be. I've realised that I've only just started a new journey, that this year I feel like something new has begun. Maybe the timing is just coincidental with the new year and all, but I've been slapped across the face by life.

It told me that there's something bigger out there. I'm allowing myself to dream of bigger things, of the goals I want to achieve and ambitions I can strive towards that aren't so much possessions; aren't things I can own, as much as they are places I want to be and a state of mind I would like to own.

2007 is the year I look after me, my mind, my relationships and my immediate world, and then all that should grow and effect every other part of my world.

That's the theory any way.

A new year

Wow! Another year already?

A new year to realise some new goals, to make some plans, to see where I am at the same time next year.

A new adventure.

So, that was Christmas...

And what did we do?

Put a santa hat on the cat, exchanged some presents, hung out with family, had a few well earned glasses of wine, and rugged ourselves up in the unseasonal cold weather for Melbourne. For a change it would've been quite the weather for the traditional turkey and Christmas puddings.

The (un)glamorous side of photography...

Recently I was fortunate enough to head away to Arapiles and the Grampians for some much needed 'out of melbourne' time, and coupled that with updating some of my personal photography work.

(Yep, that's yours truly in the rather unflattering angle, thankfully the images were worth the discomfort.)

Rich and Maddy Melder were great subjects to photograph. There was no shortage of strain on their faces in the process of pulling some great moves.

ABOVE: Madeline Melder on "Sting Like a Bee" (24) Amnesty Wall, Grampians.

ABOVE: Rich Melder on Golden Fleece boulder at Mt. Arapiles.

Rock On!

It's been a while between drinks, and while there isn't a great deal of latest news, Rock On Kitty wanted to make an appearance. She almost caught a mouse too... boom boom!

Grampians - Halls Gap

After the fires in January 2006, and with Spring upon us, a trip to the fire ravaged Halls Gap seemed overdue. It's great to see so much green amongst sections of the devastated areas, even though some areas are still off limits, with roads and tracks still closed off.

A pictorial....

Some time has lapsed

Time for a few more piccies from the file.

climbing at Arapiles.

bouldering, Wilsons Promontory.

Port Fairy

June 17 and 18, 2006

After being trapped in Melbourne for a few weekends, it was nice to go for a journey to Port Fairy and visit my brother and his family and breathe some fresh air. Any excuse to get away and enjoy the outdoors.

The little munchkins, Jackson (2 yo) and Elizabeth (3 yo).

(Picnic at) Hanging Rock

Whether the story is true, one thing can't be denied; there's a mystique about Hanging Rock that invites speculation and discussion. Admittedly I haven't read the book or seen the movie but even as a child I was attracted to the 'spirituality' of the site. I endured goosebumps and brothers playing tricks on me through the countless maze of rocks, not even hearing noise from their innocent tricks as they snuck through another corridor of rock.

Revisiting the rock as an adult similar feelings emerge. Even as my husband played a similar trick by wandering off as I turned a corner wandering in my own innocent world of discovery, I was reminded of the 'lostness' that seems so easy to fall into up there amongst the rocks and trees. Even as I called his name I could hear nothing else, no birds, no rustle of leaves, but I could feel the icy chill of the wind. Yet I don't remember feeling afraid.

There were plenty of people wandering around in their own adventures, children complaining of the walk up the hill, parents taking happy snaps and couples talking as they walked down the rocks and paths, but it was quite simple to lose them, and sneak down another passage of rock and around an unseen corner. Perhaps that's why there's so much mystery associated with it, the sheer natural structure of the place, where around every corner it feels like it's a new discovery.

I overheard some tourists saying how understandable it was that people could become lost up there, with the maze of rocks and dark corners and hidden spots. I don't know whether the story is true, and I really don't want to know. It creates such wonderful imagery and discussion and illusion, and invites people to visit in order to try and solve it for themselves, but creates more mystery by simply visiting.

The four legged f(r)iend

Cheeky little "Ziv" aka s#!*head or Pu...

In 2005 I met and fell in love with the beautiful little baby girl, all fluffy and cute. I saved her from homelessness and brought her home to meet my man and she's since taken over the house and stolen Steve's heart too... though don't say that too loud, he likes to imagine he's all tough and not so easily won over.

If she weren't such a mental case it would make life rather boring really.

We've found her hiding under clothes in our cupboard, flicking kitty litter from here to next week, sitting in the kitchen sink waiting for some water, hanging from the wire door, and flying through the house at speeds that can only end with a crash against a wall through lack of traction on the wooden floor. She's gorgeous, she's our little furry bundle of fun.

N.Z.

The New Zealand installment....

Our first little holiday as husband and wife. It was great to have time to chill out and get some outdoorsy adventure under our belt again. Climbing was definitely on the agenda, and despite a few days of rain, and the big dumping of snow we managed to get six straight days of Castle Hill bouldering.

Steve bouldering V4 Spittle Hill.

Lil' Em bouldering V3 Spittle Hill.

Pretty dresses and suits can only mean one thing!

A Wedding!

1st of April 2006.

What a day!? Went and got myself all married off to my spunky bloke, Steve Black! It's true what they say about Black y'know.... you can't go back!

The day was incredible, life changing, beautiful, sounds a little cliched I know, but oh so true. Haven't been fluffed up in a dress like that before and it really was quite a treat.... though I'm not sure if there's any photos circulating of my little bootie dancing on the dance floor! Oh so much fun!