...just a Yank...trying to be a Mate...

I have been alone, I have been among strangers- volunteering time to go door-to-door in neighbourhoods near where I live with a candidate that is standing for office in the next election.  

In part I chose to do this because I am learning about the political system and in part because so many people have lived here their whole lives that I feel I will gain insight by listening to them.

Also, the state elections here use a method called 'Tasmania's Hare-Clark Electoral System' which is apparently different from other states (which I of course, do not know about firsthand). 

We list candidates in order of preference.  I have had differing explanations of this, but finally I have found an explanation on the Internet here:

https://tec.tas.gov.au/ 

I thought I might be too fearful, but my curiosity seems to get the better of me.  I thought I would be a bit offended when people couldn't be bothered, or are irritated that someone is disturbing them...but mostly that has been okay.

I realize that really, I am the type of person that isn't always very gracious when I am interrupted and I now, vow to do better.

Self-servingly I like to have a legitimate reason to walk up peoples drives, especially to houses I have always walked by and thought 'Gee that looks like a really happy home.'

I am a bit deflated that 'compulsory' voting seems to partially make people feel like they are forced to do something unpleasant like go to the dentist.  There is no fanfare, no stickers that say smugly "I voted!".  People seem un-engaged by the process or worse, completely believe that the whole system is a waste of time.

I want to shout "Sure things are pretty good now, but they could turn badly if you do not pay attention!"

I fear, that I am looking for positive affirmation in these conversations for what I already believe, even though truly, I am trying to listen and learn.

While I had the house to myself for a week I did some repairs that took more time than I thought they would, I was waylaid by a really hot day-

I watched some sappy movies, I did my best to catch friends by phone long distance.

I have this feeling of being behind but I couldn't articulate why.

This tangle of politics will be taking up my month.

 

Into the wilds go the house cat and the alley cat.

As we were displaced for about nine days, and also had a concurring opportunity to volunteer up around Soldiers Beach, on Maria Island- we decided to give tent camping a try.  We lucked into beautiful spots up where my dear neighbour took me (six!) years ago.

We had good weather, hot for Tasmania but when you are camp on the edge of various beautiful beaches, the heat can be nice.  Our state is a bit of a geological wonder- so we get white sand beaches, pink sand beaches, beaches ringed with bright orange rocks, and we even went out and saw a beach with dark red rocks.

Campsite #1, pink rocks and clear, clear water.

To be fair...Tasmanias' tourism boom can definitely be felt, there are more and more tour operators, and one morning we had a drone flying over our tent.

 Campsite # 2

 Campsite # 3, I love the imprint between the wallaby feet from its tail.

Last Campsite hours from Darlington, Maria Island.

We did have one night inside as 'someone' caught a cold as soon as we left (I have decided he might be a 'house' cat), I managed to stay well until I got home, but today, day 3 home and I am miserable.  We need to unpack, but our first 2 days home were so busy and I think mentally I knew at least we were moved back in, so I can't seem to do much today, or for very long.

I love camping, but I do also love electricity.

I think we might be destined for a camper-trailer.

The weather is still hot, and I love time in the ocean, but we leave for snow in less than 2 weeks.  I suppose a nice snowfall will set off my tan...

 

 

"Look how absurd I was when I was young" forestalls cruel criticism but it falsifies history."

Certainly, with the way I am feeling "Hazardous Edge Ahead" could have been the title for this post, however, I took a moment to go back a few years within my blog at the last five years of what I posted in February. This is usually a comfort, because my personal, internal sense of time is always off, I am too emotional a creature to have clarity-so thank you internet technology.  

Soon we have to pack up the contents of our house, which will be stored, box by box, book shelf by book shelf, into a shipping container set in our driveway.

We will leave to go camping, or couch surfing, ahead of our next 'land care' volunteer trip to Maria Island.  Thus vacating for the 5-10 days needed for the repairs on the house.  February seems to be a normal time for both house repairs and changes, as well as going to Maria Island to volunteer.

I was just on Maria having finally gotten to take a 'main-lander'- to the island.

Maria, the same as the rest of Tasmania is still enduring a huge surge in visitors.

The government of tourism stated: 1.19 million visitors (so twice the population) and a 3% increase from the mainland, raising that number above 1 million visitors. I have heard rumours that a new ferry (90 seats!) will be taking passengers from Triabunna to the island, this will make 3 public ferries, and the 1 private (a luxury all inclusive tour company). I am writing about this as a reminder to my future self, as truly the changes in our town, and our state feel (have I written this already?) like it is changing at the same exponential rate that Seattle did when I lived there in the 1990s.

We are trying to recover from our recent loss- taking stock of our options- and how to find a sense of security that we can move forward with into the next half of our lives.  I think the idea of that the Queen (U.K.) sends out letters to her citizens that reach 100 years of age- has cemented me to the idea that 50 years of age is a half way mark.

 I can not clearly express the tangle in my brain that I am trying to unravel to find out what I believe about aging.  I know I should feel lucky, and most days I do.  I know I rather deal with a bit of stress if that stress means I am facing decisions that need to be made.  But mostly I want to sit somewhere pretty and read a book.

 Which I did get to do while on Maria.

Here:

I will get some more reading done during our camping adventure.

Our very first actual camping adventure, together.

We are having storms, and violent bursts of rain instead of the usual sunny, hot February, but of course we are closer now to March - which can be very rainy.

Luckily, tents are good places to be when it rains.

Also, we can always go in the ocean, and then we might not even notice that it is raining.

Also, from the "my husband is a feeder" headlines:

 

 The apricot pastry was so good, that it was worth every bit of snarly feelings I had at the gym the morning after.

 

Two seasons in one month- Christmas in the snow, and New Years at the beach

So, Zok played the role of 'Tomtefar' or Swedish Father Xmas-

There is a tradition of a family friend dressing up and coming to the apartment after the end of 'Kalle Anke' aka the very strange, truncated bits of different Disney films, mostly dubbed via a louder narrated voice talking over the original dialog, T.V. program shown each and every 'Julafton' aka Swedish Xmas, or the 24th of December.

Our friends all remember watching this each and every year of their lives, and from the vantage of our friends apartment we could see all the neighbors doing exactly as us.

Zok was smashing! The whole experience was delightful.

Our friends came in from (ahem) taking out the trash (aka dressing up Zok in a nearby apartment) and were very animated saying "Hey, Hey we think we saw Santa walking to the streets!" and we all ran out to the balcony to see Zok tramping up the road. Hilarious.

 

 Although we didn't have an actual white Christmas, we had so much snow over November I did not feel cheated in the least. I also got to go to not one xmasfair but two, the one here in Gamla Stan and the one in Chester.

Oh! I almost forgot, I also went to the traditional market at Skansen, and it was still snowing then (with my friend who was visiting).

I wish I had the ability (motivation?) to write out just what a long, somewhat hard yet laced with many inspirations and surprises this last year has been.

Looking back on this blog, I would have to guess, because as it is not a confessional diary, and I would have to know from the lack of posts what kind of year 2015 has been.

I really have more friends that any one person could deserve. I got to see many of them this year- and many helped me more than I can repay- not that friendships are or should be about some set of accounts and balances.

Really dear friends got married this year- all quietly...which I respect.

I felt tested more than once, and now as I think back...I didn't excel but I did not do anything to embarrass myself either, and I am going to just call that a win.

For every new friendship that did not work out...I think I learned that not every person will become important in one's life, and that should not feel like some sort of failure. In fact, I choose to recognize that I am fortunate to have so many opportunities.

On the subject of the mundane, the reason this blog has been neglected since our return to Sweden, has been in part to my sudden, active, social life and my decision to go back to SFI.  Swedish For Immigrants, is a subject that deserves its own post.  But let me just note that I got up at 6 a.m. (not in my nature) Monday through Friday, for maybe four months?  Due to this I was acutely aware of the growth of Stockholm, the perspective of new immigrants, the culture clashes as exemplified on my crowded, crowded, morning commute.

While I may not have actually bonded with my classmates, I did try...which for me again, is winning.

We had a lovely Christmas, as we also did last year with our neighbors, and that feels like it was yesterday, or ten years ago...

We visited a lot of people, and were visited by a lot of people this last year and the new year is started out the same way.

All of this makes me feel very positive, if albeit a little harried...but soon I'll be able to sneak off to the beach and read a book, in english.

 

 

"...drinking when I should be sleeping...sleeping when I should be waking up..."

I am not positive that I have been "busy" or just in my head.

Honestly I have been a bit of both.

 Summer feels as if it is ending...or our leaving for the U.S. means that when we return Autumn really will have set in-

I am too concerned with what is behind me...Did I go to the beach as often as I could?  Is my tan deep enough?  Did I see enough? Do enough?

 I know that these are wasteful thoughts but sometimes I can not quiet them.

Yet, here I am and it is March, yet I did not post anything in the month of February.  Truthfully my brain has been concerned with people who are having health concerns, or other problems. I also had some hassles with a sale on Ebay.  A long and tedious story, but if you happen to sell on Ebay my advice to you is if the item has a high price, then it is worth the bother of photographing your posted item.  This is the proof that PayPal wants from you, not a tracking number. I used up about $20 AU in Skype credit which let me tell you- is A LOT of phone calls.  

I organized a trip to Maria Island to try and weed the (non-native) Cumbungi aka Bullrush aka Pussy Willows from the reservoir.

Zok came with me, his second (and first long) trip to the island.

Obviously (is it obvious? by Australian standards it is) there are 'job risks' and 'safety' to be considered, working in a pond.

Everyone called the trip a success but I will say we were tired for a couple of days afterwards.  Also, I have three words to add...muck, eels, and leeches.

 Of course the born and breed Tasmanians' were unconcerned about the leeches.  I like eels, and we didn't see any water snakes so that was a bonus. 

Here is day 3 of what the leech bites that Zok got on his neck, looked like:

They did have a nice vampire quality.

 Trying out different methods of getting Cumbungi from pond out to the shore.

 

Zok (what else did you expect?) made pulled pork, and we made home-made tortillas and beans as well for a nice dinner for the volunteers and parks staff.  Here you see the lovely sunlight of the end of summer.

Another bonus was due to a fatal (yes this does happen, even if it is rare) shark attack near Maria Island, our plans to snorkel were cancelled but Zok took me nearby- So exciting-even though we only saw normal fish and no seahorses!

What else? Oh, yes, I have been going to a new gym that I like, and also to swimming lessons.

The marine reserve we drove to was sooooooo Aussie, the sound of wind through Sheoaks, the call of the Magpie, and sheep bleating on the hillside next to the beach.

 Can you see this sheep?  Next to the ocean?

I have only snorkeled once or twice in Hawaii, I can't believe it took us (Zok and I) so long to get out there but now that I have, I am really excited to go- a lot.

 

 

 

"...she asked for my love and I gave her a dangerous mind..."

-The end of the FOMA 2016 visit-

Along the same theme of my being remiss in noting all of the changes in my local area, we went out to the 'Apple Shed'.

When I first moved to Hobart I was on this 'Bulmers' hard cider kick, but I had trouble finding that cider here.  There were the three various Mercury ciders, but they weren't the 'easy' drinking I was used too.  Pubs didn't always stock them, and I was sorted given 'a look' when I asked for them.

On the road to Huonvilled there is an 'Apple Shed', I went one time to see if there was cider and do a bit of exploring.

It was a funny place, with a bit of history about the apple farming in Tasmania- but it was a bit too quirky for me to add it to my list of sights when visitors are here.

Of course that has all changed.

Tasmania seems to have almost as many ciders as they do micro-brews.

One of the popular cider makers, Willie Smith's has taken over (joined with?) The Apple Shed, and now it part quirk, part really lovely place to have lunch.

It was so crowded we picked a far off spot in the back garden to eat.  

I wish I could explain how strange it is to write 'crowded' and and be talking about anywhere in 'huonville'.  I had a special cider that was only available on tap called 'Stromtrooper' - a bled of rare and almost extinct heritage apples.

I was like 1) Star Wars pun 2) Exotic rare almost 'extinct' apple = How can I say No?

It was really good, my companion (the one who didn't have to worry about going on the limit as she was not driving) did a 'flight' to try four of the ciders but went back for one of mine.  She also bought a 'growler' which is not something I knew about...It's a large old-fashioned (read = trendy, hip) jug for taking away cider.  When we go back she'll get $18 dollars off for bringing the jug back. Although now that I am thinking about it, I suppose it is just a running $18 deposit one time deposit if you always want to re-fill it...

Finally here is some history if you are interested:
http://www.tascidertrail.com/history/ 
 

"...you caught yourself a trick down on Sunset & Vine..."

 

"I am so behind myself...or MOFO adventures continued."

I often refer to myself as a 'tourist in my own town', but as far as Hobart is concerned I have been falling short of that marker.

 Saff has been asking me about going to the site of the Cascades Female Factory for a couple of years now.  Zok and I went about ten years ago and all that was there was a marker and some ruins.  I was putting her off because of what I remembered.

However, this has completely changed. 

We booked in for a mid-morning tour, and coincidentally our night event was a three-piece band 'Bush Gothic' who rearrange traditional 'transport' songs and convict ballads.

Our morning was spent learning about some of the women, why they were transported, how their lives progressed. Followed by the musical version. So to speak.  In case you do not know...Van Diemens is the original (European) name for Tasmania.

Van Diemens land 

The words are taken from the description of one female convict, there were many young teens transported, and many babies born along the way (the whole way, the crews allowed themselves the "convenience" of prisoners on board).

The photo is an arts project done using the descendant of a convict, staged with the items that convict was transported for.  Most people were transported for petty theft.

I could write a lot about transportation to Australia, but there is some much current injustice and cruelty in todays prison systems that I don't feel it is necessary to dig into the past for examples that would evoke emotion.

The performance was held in the Rosny Barn, and the singer knew the story of the convict slash settlers that first built and operated the barn. How about that?

The barn is becoming a favorite, I went there a few times for the market-

Rosny Barn 

Now, they are running (the Clarence council) a series of outdoor movies.

(!)

All in all, I thought we planned out a tidily informative and fun day.

Also, I totally would have been transported...

 

 

"...make me baby...make me know you really care..." FOMA Jan. 13-14

 My gal-pal for FOMA arrived, and we started out quietly...sneaking gin-tonic-cucumber drinks into the Croquet Club to sip while watching my hero compete. Why is he my hero?  Well, for one thing he drove so I could drink!  We had dinner out in Salamanca and then went to see our first event: 'Syncing Feeling' by Kyle Page and Amber Haines.  I loved it...I wished that the Peacock Theater had more events like this...the setting and the show brought to mind what I miss about LA and Seattle.

 While waiting for our hero to arrive (who needs uber)- we wandered into a new bar, the drinks were all a bit sappy for me or so I thought until swayed by this "artisan" burnt orange bitters, coffee martini.  

After a very hot day, the day ended up changing to moody clouds.

Our second day was our stand by, dinner at The Tasmanian Quartermasters, a trip to Cracked and Spineless books, and watching 'Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'
with live accompaniment by Antonio Sanchez(who composed and performed the score for the movie) - I will always embrace any type of 'event' cinema.  I love seeing films in odd places.  

 

"One minute she was asleep, the next she was completely awake and dumped into despair."

We have been home a week.  Some are still jet-lagged, or maybe the tiredness has been earned from all the work each day, in the garden, and renovating the garage.

We made time to go to the Farmers Market which has grown so much over the last six (seven?) years.  I am always pleased and peeved at the same time that there is peanut butter, iced coffee (American style), and even lemonade (American style)- pleased as I want all of those things, and peeved that people were always resistant to me when I wanted them.  But, I did always say that there was a place for each person to dream up 'their' Tasmania, against all the people who like to say "Oh, that won't work here."

farmers market (ye olde) 

Even with decorations I have no feeling of Christmas.  I said "Happy Holidays!" to someone and their retort was "Not me mate, I'm not going on vacation."

The garden is growing, the hydrangeas are huge, the sun is setting later and later- cherries are in season...

None of these events make me think of Christmas.

Although these guys, purchased from the grocery store in Slussen, cheer me up a bit-

 

 

"...you start to dance like it's all you got to live for..."

November is halfway gone already- apparently all my plans to keep myself really busy while alone on the island have worked.

I spent a week out on Maria.  I joined the group that works on "eradicating canary broom" which is a weed there, and has "escaped" into the bush.

As seen above...I also made it into the group (exclusive by the fact that one needs a ride from the only vehicles on the island...which means taking time from a field ranger) that hunted for sea spurge.

We found many bones, but only a few of the sea spurge.

I am often asked how I can take being alone for periods of time, and sometimes this question is less about that and more about having a 'long-distance' relationship.  Often this is about not letting ones imagination write out a negative script.  But, this week with the suicide bombers who gunned down the audience at a E.O.D.M. show in Paris, but a club and a band that I know, personally- well- I find my control tested- severely.

I have a two-day first aid certification course this week.  The Australians LOVE a certificate course.  I really do like to 'know' things- so this course makes sense, but I am a bit wary of the fact that the commitment is two full days.

I finished re-painting the living room, and the adjoining wall.  Now, that I have finished I can't believe I lived with the awful color that the room was.  That room was the last I painted when we moved in.  I had a bit of shock when I realized I couldn't get custom colors- something that was so easily done in Seattle. When I finally got to the last room, I just adjusted the colors from primary to a bit deeper, but I still disliked how the room looked.

But all is better now.

Today I have tasks to keep me busy, and the next hurdle is how I keep thinking about how the weather is perfect for laying out at the beach...when I should be bringing up the Christmas decorations...

I have lost my Southern Hemisphere savvy by christmasing in Sweden.

 

 

"...all my life I had been searching for trees such as these..."

On this trip, we were not at the beach, but up into the hills-

I thought that the bark falling from the gum trees looked like an Australian version of Spanish Moss covering trees near swamp lands in North America.

 

I did not get a photo, but I finally saw a pink robin!

Here is it's more common flame cousin - captured by yes, my phone, they are not so shy.

 

 Warning:

Cute animal photos to follow-

 

 I thought I couldn't top my blonde pretty wombat, but I think baby wombat is pretty good.  Right before this a Tasmanian Devil galloped by.  An hour before twilight even!

I seem to see wallabies on their own, while the portoroos seem to go around in mobs, but they are so small (rabbit sized) and quick I never get their photo.

I did have a bandicoot come up really close while I was near the camp fire, which means people had food, in pictures they look like large rats- kind of, but in person that doesn't come across, I think because they move differently.  

We worked most of the day, but without much access to power, evenings are much longer-so I still got to swim, hike, stargaze and spot animals.

Once again I found myself climbing what I would call more a convenient 'rock slide' than a trail.  Although I suppose the arrows did zigzag in a way to be safer than trying to just sprint straight up.  The figure in the distance was the woman whose idea it was to walk...I had a person behind me about the same distance away- she was visiting from France, and she was very quiet until the times we came across other people who spoke french. I really thought a lot about what her actual experience was like...