Sydney Harbour Bridge of Hope

Sydney Harbour Bridge of Hope
Originally uploaded by Meredith Wheeler

A few months back I went to the Opera House steps to meet up with a bunch of expat democrats for this photo. It is part of a Democrats Abroad project in support of Barack Obama.

I purchased my very popular Barack Obama badge that day, which has garnered loads of compliments and lots of words of encouragement -- from a perky shop girl at the Body Shop to a Scottish dude at The Kooks gig, it even gave the grumbly, stern fellow at the corner store reason to smile! The world wants to vote for Obama if reaction to my badge is any indication.

Check out the photos from all around the world.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/bridgesforobama/pool/

tc

Golly gee, modernist design!

We took a little field trip to the northern suburbs today, where the topography changes to tall leafy trees and majestic pines and foothills in the distance. Our destination was the landmark modernist design Rose Seidler House for the the 50s Fair. The house is very much in the vein of a Frank Lloyd Wright in terms of simplicity, smart design, natural touches. It is nestled down from the road amid the trees and kookaburras, engulfed in greenery.

There were plenty of pompadours, puffy dresses, cinched waists, and classic cars for the event. There are still many people steeped in the 50s who are not old enough to have been there for the first time around. Always an interesting phenomenon.

Here are some pics I took on my phone when my digital camera battery went kaput.









Also check out the pics on this site: www.twentieth.org.au/rose_seidler_3.html

Love that fireplace.

tc

Baked Spaghetti, more than a meal

Before Haydn heads off into a new busy busy job, I thought I'd take advantage of house husband's time and request baked spaghetti for dinner. My mom makes this often when I return for a visit and it's a hearty favorite. We had not taken it upon ourselves to make it here, mostly bc of the numerous steps involved (frying, boiling, AND baking) but the time invested is worth many meals. In fact, 5 meals with more to spare...

Comprised of hamburger, green pepper, tomato, onion and black olives, mixed with noodles and held together with good ol' cream of mushroom, H added a bit of tomato paste and tobasco for his own signature version. Then smothered and covered in cheese.

We were really excited for this meal and it did not disappoint. A Wisconsin State Journal classic recipe!

The family that runs together...

Well, actually, Haydn and I don't run together but we did run the same race yesterday. I completed my third City 2 Surf, Sydney's 14k 'fun' run from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach. And, after a dozen or so years in Sydney, Haydn completed his very first! We didn't train together due to the novice being a wee bit intimidated by the season pro, but I have a feeling the final result will be pretty close to the same. The official times will be posted tomorrow.

As for songs that got me up that hill this year, I'd like to salute Supergrass' 'Moving,' Doves 'Pounding,' and just-as-anthemic-as-you'd-expect Coldplay's 'Viva la Vida.' Very Brit-influenced.

My work had a pretty good showing this year too and we had an ample amount of team spirit. We definitely didn't have one of fancy marquees with organic sausage sizzles, Cooper's Green and complimentary massages (then again is Goldman Sachs really do that anymore, either?!), but having an ice cold Toohey's and a sausage on white bread was a fine reward at the finish line.

Here's some post-race action, or lack thereof...