The Great Ocean Road: Day 2

We awoke to the sound of Harley Davidsons. Sure, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I enjoyed it. The day started of by checking out Ngatanwarr – Maits Rest. One of the many sections of the Great Otway National Park and steeped in amazing natural walkways and beautiful trees surrounded by the chirps of exotic birds and babbling brooks. Continue reading →

How to take better photos: Understanding ISO

What is ISO?

ISO is the sensitivity of the camera to the incoming light. Lowering the ISO number, the less sensitive it is to the light producing the highest quality image, whereas a higher number increases the sensitivity producing a grainy image.

However, you cannot always use the lowest ISO setting for everything. Continue reading →

Bits and bobs: Now moving into OVERDRIVE!

Since my last update, my skills and my blogging have grown.

I recently enrolled into the Open2Study course about Writing for the Web and User Experience for the web. The course posed a great question – who is your audience?

And honestly, I didn’t know. So I took some time to figure it out: who are the people I’m trying to get to, where these types of people hang out and what I could do to distinguish myself from the rest. There was also a section about checking out your competition.

And this is where I broke my heart. Continue reading →

All That Jazz

Call it serendipity or just plain damn luck!

Having been introduced to Jazz in all it’s forms in the last 2 years, I’ve always resolved to get to the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Given that I COMPLETELY missed out on last year’s event, I vowed to go to it this year. As usual, life got in the way and the little monthly reminders I had set up got overtaken by higher priorities. That was, until I decided to pick up my “research folder” and as it fell clumsily away from me, a blue book fell out emblazoned with “Melbourne International Jazz Festival 31 May – 09 June”. I steadied my beating heart. You see, I’m one of those people that enjoy reminding myself of what I had missed out especially when I really wanted something. So perhaps, it could be the last year. But then, there in bold letters it stated 2013. Hence my irregular posting update. For the first time, I’ll be getting to it before the event than after. Definitely felt like Gandalf

A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.

Continue reading →

Fireworks in July and How you can strategically secure your seats

When the event first started in 2011, I was quite skeptical having been unaware of this event and being introduced to it quite suddenly. Imagine this. You’re sitting back, late at work, trying to meet a deadline and then all of a sudden you hear a massive bang. You look around and see nothing… then another one. Then giant flashes of colour: red, yellow, blue and soon the building is vibrating from the force of the explosions. Having only recently watched the movie, Pearl Harbour, my mind skipped to the fact that the area was being attacked! Thankfully, it was just my imagination. Continue reading →

Quote

Lest We Forget

image

ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The men who served in the war are known as Anzacs. They were among the first people into battle at Gallipoli. It was a suicidal mission as the artillery had not yet been launched and the soldiers were ordered in to starve the enemy of bullets. They had assumed that they would be embarking on a front with smooth beaches but was instead met with steep cliffs with jagged edges, and well entrenched enemy contrary to the intelligence they had received.

What is the significance of this event?

I personally do not know anyone lost in the world wars. Irrespective of your opinion on war these men and women sacrificed their lives so that we are able to have our freedoms. Freedoms we all too often take for granted. Right or wrong, these men went to be fodder, to bleed the enemy guns, some of them so young that they were only 16 yet enlisted. This would have been their first time overseas, away from their families. I cannot even begin to imagine the emotions running through them at the time. The Dawn Service recreates the moments when the troops were told to storm the beaches. And in those silent moments in the service, standing shoulder to shoulder amongst many you didn’t know, recreated that feeling in my mind. The only bond you shared with those men in the boats were the single desire to fight for your country, your freedom and your family. And whilst today we heard choirs and gunfire, those men endured hails of bullets and explosions. And yet, they advanced.

“My side, your side and the truth”

There are always more sides to any story: your version, the other person’s version and the truth. Imagine in the Turks that were defending their beaches that day. For them, it was a mark of repelling an invasion – a victory. They too fought to protect their land, their country, their families, their people.

“So…”

War, in my opinion, can never be justified as there are fatalities on every side. I do not profess to know an answer. As the words that emblazon upon the beaches of Gallipoli from then Turkish leader Ataturk in 1934 states, we can slowly start to realise the unmeasurable cost of war:

“Heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives!
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Therefore, rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies and Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom
and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have
become our sons as well.” – Ataturk 1934 (Mustafa Kemal).

My only ask is that we do not forget the sacrifice of these people have offered so that we can enjoy our freedoms today. For in forgetting, we are liable to repeat our mistakes. Just look at any trend: fashion, music or food.

To all our veterans and servicemen and women – Thank you.

Lest We Forget.

Bits and bobs: Now introducing maps!

Seeing as I’m new to this entire thing, I’m slowly working my way through all the nicer points of a blog. Like understanding what is aesthetically pleasing (I can’t believe I said that) versus factual information. There seems to be a fine balance that I just haven’t obtained yet. ALTHOUGH! Having said that, I found out how to add maps to a blog.

You know, those things that are needed when you’re going somewhere… I know, I had a facepalm moment when I realised it myself. But that’s ok, my blog and I are still growing.

To show off my nifty new skills, I’ll be visiting the Shrine of Remembrance to commemorate ANZAC day 2013. If you get the chance, come on down. Having watched the service on TV, and experienced other live versions of things, I know that nothing will compare to being part of the march. Hope to see you there.

Lest We Forget.