sydney, melbourne ... and a photo

Even though I won't admit it to any Melbournians (an old and loved chip on my shoulder), Melbourne is actually a very lovely city. So lovely that it semi-regularly entices my wonderful Sydney friends away from their blue harbour and one way streets for a visit. Coming from a town that by 5pm Friday is overrun by barely post-pubescent boys in grey suits, white loafers and faux-hawks, Melbourne's mysterious cobbled laneways and myriad of almost-secret bars is very appealing to Sydneysiders. (I know - it's why we moved here)

A sweet byproduct of this Melbourne pull is that they come and stay with us and for a few days I get to pretend that we are not 963 km* apart, but in fact close neighbours hanging out at each others places. Or at least our place. And so when this occurs I like to celebrate our neighbourly lounging with some pics. Like this one of Mala. Alas, my photography skills were not honed on the day and the dappled effect is more shadow than light. But the sun across her sleepy face makes me feel like this was just another lazy afternoon hanging out with friends, which is nice.

Also, the shoes and the broom match.

*I googled this fact.

mirror man

Today I saw a man in a mirrored jacket walking down the street outside my work and instead of it making me happy, it made me sad.

mellow yellow fundraiser

F-L-A-S-H daisy!

that's punny!

So part of organising a fundraiser is doing some amazing, eye-catching posters on the cheap. I am failing at this miserably. BUT Lankwood and I are having fun coming up with names for the gig. As unrepentant lovers of puns, the rich world of literature has provided us a with a smorgasbord of possibilities. Among our favourites are:

1. A Clockwork Pigeon
2. The Day of the Pigeons
3. A Tale of Two Pigeons
4. The Pigeon in the Rye
5. Where the Wild Pigeons Are
6. The Very Hungry Pigeon
7. Tomorrow When the Pigeons Began
8. Charlie and the Pigeon Factory
9. It was the best of Pigeons, it was the worst of Pigeons
10. The night Max wore his Pigeon suit

Then there's the book covers ...

pigeons pigeons EVERYWHERE!

Pigeons are taking over the world. Or at least Melbourne. Or, okay, maybe just our lives. But, and call me self-centered, it feels like the world.

Not only has Lankwood been talking up a feathery Pigeons storm on the radio, we are also organising a fundraiser for late in October. So while this will mean some extra dollars to print the book and throw a launch party for the kids and authors, it also means that I get to meet the guys from Suitcase Royale. *small crush*

I told you kids' literacy projects are fun!

One of the best parts of this experience has been meeting new people who are equally motivated by working with kids, writing and books ... or maybe it's just the beers we buy them. We're very inspired by the creativity and enthusiasm of the people helping us out and it really keeps the project rolling. So right now I need to give big props to Lowbrow Productions aka Jacquie and Rachel the talented girls who are helping us to pull this fundraiser together. Lowbrow are HOT!