Day 365, 31 Dec 2017: Finally, New Years Eve...

Day 365: ...actually

And we've made it, day 365 out of 365. Thanks to you dear reader for making it this far. A photo (or three) was taken every day even if the write-up didn't make it for a day (or three). But the intent was always there. That intent was to perhaps experiment with a new camera or lens, look at the everyday in a different way, look at the everyday in the same way, the ordinariness of life. 

There were trips to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Chicago and Helsinki. Parks in and around Tokyo and surrounds, and a little further beyond. Light, dark, shade; birds, bees, flowers. Elections. Something everywhere, everyday. A little snippet to record the passing of each and every day. Another opportunity to sharpen photographic skills--lights, camera, action, composition...

Today was worthy of a start in the pool. Thirty-four degrees Celsius outside and with a pool downstairs, really, what else was there to do?

Pool, palms, Gold Coast

Light clouds

Shaping up

Spreading over

Rain drops on a pool surface

Rain and ripples

Then the clouds came over and in a classic end to the year, down came the rain, with thunder and lightning and really, that is what summer is all about. 

And as we countdown the minutes to midnight I know that my #project365 fellow snapper Susan will also be reaching the end of another year. We know we both pause and reflect and think about going another round.  For me, it will be number five...if I'm back tomorrow.

We'll see. 

Happy New Year and best wishes for 2018. 

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 12.44pm, 3.26pm-3.50pm; 31 December 2017; the end]

Day 364, 30 Dec 2017: New Years Eve...

Day 364: ...eve

We are not quite there yet, not quite at the end of the year but, for many we might as well be. We were asked today what were we planning for tonight? Erm, sleep perhaps, just like every other SECOND LAST DAY* of the year...

* Now, there might be a birthday involved here for someone near and dear who is entirely tired of the day being submerged between Christmas and new year...'one combined present' often in leftover Christmas wrap because well...

Anyway one digresses. On the way to the luncheon, there was a short detour to a waterfront where there were more seagulls &c. Now it is true, one never tires of the antics of birds by the water...

There were nine sea-gulls, standing (or sitting) on a wall (or stormwater drain)

Pelican balance

Then there were two

Ring in

Landing...

Getting told to 'go elsewhere'

Then there were three

Then there was one

Foreshore

And away

A birthday luncheon: cheeseburger, milkshake no less

And, truth be told, as we approach the endpoint of another #project365, the eve of the end of the year-long project, I'm just pleased that the numbers match the project. Day 364 today, day 365 tomorrow...end. Phew. 

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 11.08am-11.12am, iPhone6s, 12.17pm; 30 December 2017]
 

Day 363, 29 Dec 2017: A spot of rain here...

Day 363: ...a drop of rain there

I like coming home, I am lucky I can come home three or four times a year. It is a stark contrast with my student days when a two-year stint in Tokyo meant just that, two years, no chance to come home. No skype, email, facetime etc either; it was old-style letters, even 'tapes' made for the tech-savvy. I am lucky, except for the winter-summer switch. Cold to hot, cold to steamy...

But then the rain. And the rain cools things down just a bit....

The drops and sunlight

Hanging in there

Straight up

Frangipanis

Unfurling

...and makes for good pics. These ones early in the morning, before the sun dried up the drops and before mum and I hit the shops for all that necessary post-Christmas retail therapy (and related matters). 

True stuff: it is good to be home rain, hail, shine or humidity. 

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 6.27am-6.29am; 29 December 2017]

Day 362, 28 Dec 2017: #Straya...

Day 362: ...the moon's a bit shy

A bit of a bustle aroundabout today. To Brisbane, to Brisbane to attend to a few chores and then a dash back to the Coast to get to the post office, shops and all the other normal sorts of ordinariness that return very quickly post the Christmas-Boxing Day festivities. 

A bit of arvo tea--

Mini versions, trust me #Straya

Phases of the moon

Cloudy

Hiding

And back

--then a view of the moon, up and over the hilltops, shaded by the occasional wisp of cloud...hiding that arvo tea (although they were just mini-versions...really). 

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 4.48pm-4.54pm; 28 December 2017]  

Day 361, 27 Dec 2017: Broadwater lunch...

Day 361: ...seagulls and co...

As regular readers may recall, first port-of-call for us is the Broadwater and a favourite little restaurant for lunch and then a stroll along the waterfront, seagull-spotting and, when in luck, a pelican or two...

Red beak

High up

and looking down

Grip

Even keel

Sailing

Splash

Pelican

We were in luck, a grand 360 wheelaround just in time for the camera shot. 

Broadwater lunch, seagulls and pelicans. That's getting back to it.

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 1.44pm-1.48pm; 27 December 2017]

Day 360, 26 Dec 2017: Boxing Day...

Day 360: ...#straya

Coming into land...from the plane window. A bit of a late take-off but we made up good time overnight (perhaps it was the assistance of the reindeer...) and, for the first time in a long time, we came in over the city. Usually, the plane takes a flight over Moreton Bay, and in that way, but right over the river this time, in the heart of town. Welcome home.

 

Sunrise, elevated

Over the Bay

Hello Brissie

And of course, nothing quite says home like the birds in the garden.  

Undercarriage

Hanging...

Tempting

Tempted...

Going for it...

One thing to love a sunburnt country, but the colourful birds are among the things we really miss. 

[Camera : iPhone6s, 4.38am-5.22am; Lumix TZ-85, 4.39pm-4.52pm; 26 December 2017]

Day 359, 25 Dec 2017: Christmas Day...

Day 359: ...just not quite as we know it

Yesterday's prep, today's class, this evening's flight...yep, that sort of day. Christmas Day, so merry Christmas to you all...but I have work to do.

Christmas Morning sparkles

Christmas wheel

Clear day

Christmas day classes

The test

Christmas chocs

Not just a class either, it coincided (no really) with the mid-term short test too. But generously, I offered chocolates, not as a bribe but simply as a kind of Christmas present for those of us who might have otherwise been elsewhere. 

Then, mid-afternoon, it was off to the airport for a Christmas Day flight home to Brisbane. I was anticipating Christmas pudding...but just a choc instead (suspiciously like the ones I gave to students earlier in the day...). But to give them their due, the flight attendants did add a few decorative touches--reindeer antlers and tinsel. A Christmas Day of sorts I guess. 

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 8.29am-8.30am, 10.30am, 12.39pm; 25 December 2017, Christmas Day]

Day 358, 24 Dec 2017: A Christmas Eve...

Day 358: ...of sorts

Sunday, and, for all intents and purposes, Sunday this term is my day for preparing Monday morning's class. But wait, you say, Christmas Eve? Christmas Day? Classes? Work? Yes, to all of the above. While Japan takes on all the excess of commercial Christmas, it's not a public holiday. So prep day it is. 

That didn't stop the passing traffic looking all festive as I sat ten floors up working away...

Lights, camera...

...action

Colourful

These boots...

Last minute deliveries

Red boots

Crossing

The promenade below is a popular spot for photographers, amateur and professional alike. And with a big anime/manga convention coming up over the new year period, it looked like people were getting their costumes out for a test run. 

Santa's helpers were out a little early. 

[Camera : Lumix TZ-85, 3.14pm-4.06pm; 24 December 2017]