The Snow Queen

Woo hoo! I have reached my goal of 26 books for the year. Of those 26 books, 12 were audio books. Audio books have been a new experience for me and one that I've had to adapt to because your brain works completely differently when you read a book to when you listen to one. It has given my eyes a break and allowed me to hear stories I already knew through someone else's reading. It is true that I mainly used audio books to re-read some of my favourite books.

Book 26 of 2014 is a free audio book as a Christmas present from Audible. I recommend Audible US because it has many more titles than the Aussie site. Shoosh, don't tell them I live here.

The book was The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson, read by Julia Whelan who was Audible's narrator of the year.

This a story I know very well from my childhood and has been one of the reasons I have avoided Disney's version - Frozen. They never tell a story the way it was written and tend to make the women weak and the animals sing.

This is worth the read or the listen. I'd recommend that if you read it in Darwin that you do so with the air conditioner on full.

4 evil shards of glass out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes. It is delightful.
What did I learn? People are not evil. They just have shards of evil glass in them.

Some things

Some things will always scare me.

There are things that we learn from willingly and there are things that are taught to us against our will. Therapists may call them triggers. Future partners may call them baggage. Employers may call them risks.

Some things may always scare me.

There are people you meet who will enrich your life and there are people who will meet you and take a little more than they give. Therapists can call them influencers. Future partners can call them exes. Employers can call that person you were with at the Christmas party last year.

Some things can scare me.

But their impact softens in time and all the lessons are learnt and filed while the Christmas party photos are still on facebook.

Never Smile at a Crocodile

I went to Crocodylus Park with my Mum + Giles. It's a wildlife park near the northern suburbs of Darwin, specialising in... you guessed it... crocodiles. If global warming destroys human habitats and we are no longer the dominant species then crocs are sure to take over. I for one welcome our reptilian overlords.

This trip left me completely dehydrated and I ended up sleeping for hours to recover. It is the hottest I have been in a longest time. Remember to rehydrate regularly. I didn't and I paid the price.

Giles + Mum at Crocodylus Park

Spot the log-look-alike crocs in the big pond

Mum + Giles looking at some caged animals

... or they will be eaten

One of the giant grumpy boys who measure around 5 metres

I Wonton Eat Them

I go through stages where I cook dim sims from an old family recipe of a friend of mine. Christmas Eve needed some flava so I made 60. They were all gone in a blitz. The most popular where the ones I stuffed with chillis. Must remember that in future.

Nightcliff Jetty

The Nightcliff Jetty is a haunt for Darwin youngens and it was for G + I. G lived near here and even used to swim around here. He swears the crocs will just leave you alone. I'd rather be leaving the crocodiles alone. Take the initiative to save your own life - that's my ethos.

It was a beautiful tropical day. We were able to stand on the end of the jetty and watch a huge thunder storm hammering Palmerston in the distance.

Walking down the boat ramp

Walking on the rocks near the jetty

At the start of the jetty

This is Darwin relaxed

The jetty

A storm over Palmerston, in the distance

We really were here

Looking west

A Very Elfy Christmas to You

A message from G + I.

DJ Display

This is just one window on display at David Jones on Market Street. They are all scenes from the Nutcracker Suite. People stop and watch and some of the children were as excited as I was :)

The marionettes in the windows at David Jones in Sydney city

Obstacle in Martin Place

There is a very pretty obstacle in Martin Place at the moment. Many people were stopping and gazing at it when we stopped to stare. It's worth a look if you are in the city on the George St end of Martin Place.

Felis Silvestris v Roboraptor

Giles got a Roboraptor for Christmas from me. London and Paris were not impressed with the new pet at all. They spent a few days adjusting to it's presence.

Face off between raptor and alpha-cat

London stalks new pet as she did with Paris

London asks if we're sure it's not alive

See Paris' tail running from raptor. Raptor wins

Christmas 06

On Christmas Day 2006, Giles + I had lunch at the Boat House By The Lake in Canberra. It may not look like it but there were many people there enjoying the desgustation and the joy of not having to wash up dsihes after the meal.

Me at Christmas lunch at the Boat House

Giles at the Boat House By The Lake at Christmas lunch

At least one of us was looking at the camera

Let's try one last time and look Christmasy

Cheers to Santa, Giles and not cooking or cleaning up