Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge: Still Waiting

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

Wandering Ann Street in Brisbane City I came across a few odd balls such as this fellow waiting to cross at the lights.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

I didn’t notice the building in the centre of the frame until I looked at the photograph. Oddly it looks as though it is in the process of being demolished or its tiles have fallen off the side of it. Or is it just an optical illusion.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

A good way to get around Brisbane city is by hire bike. You buy a ticket which lasts for som many hours of riding. When you want to enter a shop or gallery you park the bike in one of the many hire stations and your bike hire time stops being counted. When you insert your ticket to get another bike it starts again. Great idea if you can balance yourself on a bike. I’m not game to try.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

Here he is — still waiting.

In response to Cee’s odd ball challenge.

Posted in Cee's Odd Ball Challenge, photography | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

99 word flash fiction: Onion

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

A friend introduced us. ” Jacqui, this is Onion.” 

I raised my eyebrows “So you’re goin’ to make me cry.”

“Perhaps.”

Onion was the life of that party. He made me laugh as we danced and drank and joked our way through the evening. It was natural to meet again and again.

I found we held social justice views the same and we attended human rights marches and worked as advocates for refugees. 

As I peeled back Onion’s layers, I found each one different and deeper and yes he made me cry as finally, he told of his own abuse. 

In response to Charli’s prompt where all are welcome to participate. This week she asks:

August 19, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes onions. It can be the main event or a spicy side to your flash. Think of the impact of onions — teary eyes, dragon-breath, indigestion. How can an onion add a twist, reveal a character or sabotage a perfect day? Have fun!

Respond by August 25, 2015 to be included in the weekly compilation.Rules are here. All writers are welcome!

Posted in creative writing, fiction, flash fiction | Tagged , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Silent Sunday: Silently Waiting

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
© irene waters

© irene waters

Posted in photography, Silent Sunday | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: A mesh gallery day at Rochers de Naye

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist

https://me.sh/194ijmvp/2k1-ef3

Rochers de Naye is a Mountain in the Swiss Alps (2042 m) overlooking Montreux. It is only accesible by cog wheel rail way. The journey takes about an hour and it is well worth the effort as the views  let you look over Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) to Lausanne and the Jura, Savoy and Vaud Alps and the Dents du Midi. Just spectacular. Whilst there you can eat in the restaurant which is built into the rock face (we didn’t because we had eaten well in Montreux.) There is also a marmott park with hides built in rock caves which allow you to observe them closely and also allows spectacular views as well. At Christmas it is a favourite with my nephews as Father Christmas is present along with his reindeer. They have sleigh rides and ski. These photos were taken at the beginning of summer.

This post was done for the Weekly photo challenge If you have the time hit on the square symbol top right hand corner  one in from the edge, which will make the photo the correct size. The photo quality is just superb (in my opinion.)

Posted in Daily Post prompt and challenges, photography, travel, Weekly photo challenge | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Skywatch Friday: 21st August 2015 Brisbane 2.42pm

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

Posted in photography, Skywatch Friday | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Friday Fictioneers: Way to Go

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
©

©http://ceayr.com//

“Now this is what I call going down the gurgler.” Baleen said. 

“No! My Mum told me its not over ’til the fat lady sings.”

“Don’t you think I’m bigger than any fat lady. I am a hump of a woman and my voice, well, it’s lyrical.  Music to some ears.”

“You’re having yourself on. Perhaps this is a nicer way to go. We can breach and slap all we want then poof. Better than a slow death in a hot ocean with no tucker.” Bluey blew, his water-spout spurting high. 

“Oh no! I see a singing fat lady.”

In response to Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers where all are invited to write 100 words to  photo prompt. To see other entries follow the frog at Rochelle’s.

Posted in creative writing, fiction, flash fiction, Friday Fictioneers | Tagged , , , , , | 54 Comments

Thursday’s Special: Flare

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015W

Mt Yasur is the worlds most active accessible volcano and when it goes off with a bang (which is frequent) at night the camera captures the flare of the red hot lava as it is thrown high into the sky.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

This reminded me of an emergency flare being set off. In reality it is a firework set off over the water going high into the sky. Certainly it was as easily seen as any flare would have been.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

There is nothing like a flared skirt for really showing the flare (and the legs) when dancing a jive. I understand flares in pants are on the way back in. For me I don’t know that they ever went out of fashion as I hate to admit it — I still have some.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

These two show the camera flare when unwanted light is let in because as Paula pointed out a lens hood isn’t used. Above is in Germany at the Fastnacht parade and below at the Sydney Town Hall.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

I’m glad to say I couldn’t find one photo that displayed tempers flaring. Not that it hasn’t happened but at least I haven’t been stupid enough to record it for posterity.

In response to Paula’s Thursday’s Specialhttps://bopaula.wordpress.com/2015/08/20/thursdays-special-flare/

Posted in photography, Thursday's Special | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Burgundy or Maroon

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

This Vauxhall six in burgundy, dating from around 1933, looks as good as the day it was bought.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

The burgundy bricks at the beginning of this footway under the railway line left my imagination going rampant as to what the colour could cover.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

A burgundy roof lends grandeur to this house where kangaroos graze on the front lawn.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

The burgundy lighting adds to the horror of the tyrannosaurus Rex

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

where as the burgundy markings on these prehistoric frogs may be a warning to other beasties to leave them alone.

In response to Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge

Posted in Cee's Fun Foto Challenge, photography | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Wordless Wednesday:Gilligans Island

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

Posted in photography, Wordless Wednesday | Tagged , , , , | 30 Comments

Sunday Stills the Next Challenge: Going Buggy (Wasps)

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

These little wasps had made their home in our outdoor area and I identified them as  native bees. A blogging mate informed me otherwise but I refused to believe her. She advised that I get rid of them but I left them, unable to bring myself to kill these little critters that were harming no-one. That was until Roger brushed the tree and had a number of very painful stings. He didn’t have my sensibility and killed them immediately. Always though one survives and lives to rebuild — until Roger becomes aware of their presence.

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

In response to Ed’s Sunday Stills the next Challenge

© irene waters 2015

© irene waters 2015

Posted in photography, Sunday stills: The Next Challenge | Tagged , , , | 57 Comments