March 26 – On Holidays

I don’t think that there is any better feeling, than starting holidays.

Working hard all week, rushing to get things finished, if possible, by the deadline of walking out the door without a care in the world for a week or two.

All the stress melts away, and not even missing the most stunning sunset that Sydney has had to offer all month is enough to make me feel down.

The idea of free time, time to walk, explore, airports, eating, reading, relaxing, sleeping, driving, exploring – all of my favourite things will be happening as of now.

Bring.  It.  On.

March 25 – On Family

The older I get, the more I am coming to appreciate my family.

It’s funny – the different stages that you go through, from childhood to adulthood, and how you regard your family differently throughout.

As a child, you take so much for granted.  Your parents will always be there, they will always look after you; everything is good.

As a teenager no one understands you.  You can’t imagine that your parents were teenagers once, it’s not possible that they will ever know you.

As an adult, you can’t spend enough precious time with them.

I appreciate mine more every day.

March 24 – On Beauty

“Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been to?”

Her mind flitted instantly to Paris.  That’s on everyone’s most beautiful cities list, right?  But not hers.  Much as she loved the city, suddenly there was an image in her head that nowhere on earth could compete with.

A crisp, white blanket of fresh snow, soft as powder.  Having been raised in the Southern Hemisphere, she couldn’t help but touch it.

Steam rising from the ground, smearing white across the perfect, late morning sunrise.  Horses, prancing across the fresh field, frisky in the morning light.

“Paris,” she lied, keeping Iceland safe.

March 23 – The Countdown

It has more than begun – it’s actually in its latter stages.  The stage where you watch every hour tick over at work, every lunch break is a blessing, the end of the day a small miracle.

We are going on holiday!

The flights and car are booked, the route and hotels picked, and although we haven’t packed yet, it’s a small price to pay for the fun we are going to have.

I’m dreaming of carefree sunsets; tree lined, winding roads; long breakfasts and a beer with lunch.

And I only have four nights more dreaming before it is reality.

March 22 – The Observatory; Part 2

The floor had never creaked so much as he crept towards the door.  Although he had been working in the building for a few weeks now, and was starting to learn its sounds and eccentricities, it felt as though the floor, the very fabric of the building, were trying to thwart his efforts to get to it.

Someone will hear…… someone must hear him….

The rational part of his brain didn’t know why his heart had begun to race, his palms to sweat; surely there could be nothing untoward, or dangerous behind it?  Surely someone would have mentioned something?

No.

March 21 – On love

I just came across a meme that I don’t necessarily agree with.

It was right on trend; all olive green and pink, lovely different vintage fonts all mixed up, looking for all the world like it belonged on somebody’s fridge or on a plaque in some small hipster boutique.  However, the message was odd:

“We make so much sense, it’s a shame love doesn’t.”

I’m here to tell you that there is never any shame in love.  And also, love always makes sense.  It may feel weird, it may not be science, but it’s love.

All you need is love.

March 20 – Fridays

A slightly stormy night, paired up with a bold red, and a little vintage Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura; Pet Detective.

Considering I’ve never actually seen the whole movie, there were a lot of quotes in there that I knew verbatim.  There were also a lot that were quoted verbatim by hubby, sitting next to me….

We’ve moved on to Xbox now – Grand Theft Auto, to complete a perfect Friday night in.

Wherever you are, have a good Friday night, and a happy and safe weekend.

And most importantly, remember to call your parents and tell them you love them.

March 19 – The Comfort Station

It sits at an intersection on the busy Highway and a much quieter street.  At one point it must have been set slightly further back; a place for families to stop when the drive from the city was more of a family outing than a daily commute.

I like to imagine the highway as a dusty track headed down to small fishing villages on the Peninsula, but of course the Comfort Station is not quite as old as that.

The subject of ridicule, love, the symbol of a city and of times gone by, offering comfort to all who pass.

March 18 – On Bouncing

She knew no more as she plummeted towards the ground, until, she bounced.

The bounce was not what she had expected – her body had tensed up anticipating the impact, instead, the road rippled slightly as she hit it.

The sensation was similar to bouncing too high on a trampoline, she couldn’t control where she was headed next.  Her eyes watered as the air rushed past them.

Was it going to hurt?  Was she dead?  Was she a superhero?  Was the Matrix real?  Was she going to miss that car?

The answer was yes, but not to all of her questions…..

March 17 – On Falling

She had leaned too far – just slightly too far, and that was all it took.

The instant feeling of vertigo transcended any feeling she had ever known, as suddenly there was no pressure on the tips of her toes; no weight except gravity tying her to the ground, far below.

She had time to marvel at the sensation of the air rushing past as she fell, the sound of it.  It filled her ears, along with another sound, which took a moment to register as her own scream.

The day was fine, the sky blue.

Then she thought no more.