Mirror Mirror, on the wall...
Hoo roo for now...
------The heat wave in Australia, and more so the Eastern and South Eastern area, is still continuing... Today is another warm day, and tomorrow is forecast to get warm as well (I am not complaining, I like the heat, I just wished we had some rain here as well...). The downside, of course, is that there are bushfires, and there are currently 90 bush and grass fires across NSW of which 18 are not yet contained. The amount of property that has burnt, houses lost, and stock killed, is just horrendous. And to think, only SOME of these have been started naturally (lightning and the like) where as others have been purposefully lit by idiots, who recklessly have no concern for their actions...
Whilst the lawns may not look like this at the moment, now that we are allowed a little latitude in water restrictions, but thankfully, it is a little greener now...
Having worked outside for most of my working life, the elements offer up some interesting signs; heat, cold, rain and what I hate the most, humidity! But in all, I do like the heat the best, as I also hate 'layering' up on the clothes!
In other news, I have had some issues lately with my hand, arm, shoulder and neck. I went to the GP last Thursday, and went for an X-Ray. On the Friday, when I went back to the GP, I was then sent for a CT Scan, as the results showed some issues relating to C3-6. The resulting CT Scan though, only offered up MORE problems, and at the same time, quantified the other issues! It was confirmed that I have a bulge on the nerve root at C6, and I also have arthritis in C3-6, and there is bony problems also at C6.
What the CT Scan also showed though, was that I have a lump on my thyroid, and a recommendation for a dedicated ultrasound be completed. When I spoke to my GP on the Saturday morning though, we decided to go with conservative treatment for the neck and pins and needles in my arm, physio instead of the nerve block at C6 (ouch), we also discussed what options the thyroid would entail. So next Saturday, I am having a blood test, TSH, KFT, ALFT, CBG and a PSA for good measure. Then, pending the results, a plan of action will be drawn up...
So, go in with problem A, and come out with problem B!
Hoo roo for now...
------Its widely reported in the media here in Australia, Sydney and NSW moreso, that we are getting a heatwave today. With a forecast top of 43C (110F), a lot of provisions have come into play! The National Parks & Wildlife Services (NPWS) have closed ALL of the National Parks, for safety of its visitors and staff/RFS that may have to evacuate and/or fight fires. I think this is an excellent move by NPWS, and I hope that its an 'over-reaction' in the end!
This morning, the temperatures were still quite mild, and the charts are suggesting that it will warm up from around 3pm, which is when it will be the hotest. Luckily, the air-conditioner will turn on during the day at home!
In these charts, you can see where the heat is coming from; Central NSW and Australia. In the second chart, the Wind Vectors shows how the winds are blowing this hot air into Sydney, so on a day with HIGH temps, LOW humidity and stong gusty winds, its a perfect storm for bushfires, so PLEASE, stay safe, and don't go outside unless necessary! Even the RTA signs along the roads are suggesting IF you're out driving, to take water with you!!
Hoo roo for now...
------Happy New Year celebrations - Sydney Style!!
The LONG line...
FIRST people through the gates
Running for best position
PART of the estimated 4klm long line
Some of the 9pm 'Family Fireworks'
We then sat around, ate some dinner, had something to drink and enjoy that atmosphere, and a little before midnight, went to set up along the front fenceline to get the following shots...>
Hoo roo for now...
------Well, the last few days have been an almost complete blurr!!! From Last monday, my last few days have been like this...
So thats about it for me, for now, I will come back and edit the Friday Fill-Ins when they are ready to go!!
Hoo roo for now...
------Friday Fill-Ins - A Christmas Edition
Hoo roo for now...
------Ok, whilst this isn't 'quite' what this weeks Thematic is all about, go check out Written Inc for more, it IS still Industrial, and given the start up photo has a railyard in play, I thought I would go down that line...
I have always had trains as a hobby from when I was younger, and it has given way to aviation photography in some ways, but it is still there. And in these series of photos of trains, generally from another era, it shows the industrial nature that has/was needed for them to be built, as opposed to the sterile, 'slapped together' fashion they are now. There is also a photo of a 'V Set' that was demolished by a falling tree during a freak weather event. This too, shows the idustrial side to which the damage was caused and its removal...
Hoo roo for now...
------Today, 17th December, 2000 we were married. Today, would be our 12th wedding anniversary...
Hoo roo for now...
------Today, you would be 43... You are forever missed...
This weeks 'Thematic Photographic' (check out Carmi's post) is all about the shades... My take of this, is looking at the cause of the 'shade' and that is a cloud... Carmi explains much better than I the technical difficulties about shooting a shade, but here we can see the Vietnamese sun, glaring through and piercing the clouds to form brilliant sunrays. The adverse effect of this, is of course, that there will also be shades cast onto the earth underneath...
So make sure you go and visit, come back through the week, and see if I post another shade, and I promise, there wont be 50 greys either!!
Hoo roo for now...
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